Bombard 380 vs F-Rib vs ?? - Help choose right boat.

[NickDK]

Originally Posted by Max...

I'd clear the rocks in the water/launch area (not the ones on your house boundary), stick with a hard floor SIB and use any lightweight ramp material - maybe some PVC 6" half-pipe sections that slide into each other for storage then overlap each end with a pin dropped through a hole in each to secure or similar, easy to assemble, store, use. Or some off-road waffle boards (like lightweight sand ladders), etc, etc.

Or rearrange two rows of the rocks to match the transom/dolly wheels track and minimise the gaps and infill with aggregate/concrete to smooth the path enough, does't need to be perfectly smooth - larger pneumatic wheels will roll over the smaller bumps.

I agree with you, It should be doable. The rocks are hard to move around though. The big boulders out in the water were recently installed as part of extra shoreline protection. (Heavy machinery - I asked for a 3meter gap as seen in the photo below)

I think it would be an idea to try to re-arrange some of the smaller boundary rocks as suggested.

Originally Posted by Fenlander

I always think there's mileage in revisiting previous successful engineering projects for ideas...

But obviously you will have more buoyancy!

I can't view the video due to some country restrictions :S

Originally Posted by Fenlander

A photo taken from the beach level across the boulders up to the house would help understand the obstacle more.

Here are some more images

[Max...]

Man, that's a piece of cake!

And I think we are all even more jealous now.

[paddlers]

What about 2 or 3 8 x 4 plywood sheets hinged at the 4 ft end simply laid out over the rocks to form a temporary ramp/flat surface to run a boat up and down on the transom wheels. Easily portable & cheap, fit a winch somewhere at the top to make recovery easier?

[NickDK]

Originally Posted by Max...

Man, that's a piece of cake!

And I think we are all even more jealous now.

I actually suffered a hernia from trying to move a few of these rocks earlier!

But yes with the right manpower it might be possible to create something temporary but sturdy.

If going for this 'bigger' setup, wouldn't it make more sense to go for something like a C4+30/40HP engine instead of light boat with 20HP? That would be like 200kg total, compared to 100kg?

[Fenlander]

>>>Man, that's a piece of cake

Agree now we've seen the pics from beach level a carry would be no problem with no need for DIY ramps etc. I'd still say an air floor will be much easier as a third person would be welcome to carry the extra 25kg of a hard floor but either will be doable.

[NickDK]

Originally Posted by paddlers

What about 2 or 3 8 x 4 plywood sheets hinged at the 4 ft end simply laid out over the rocks to form a temporary ramp/flat surface to run a boat up and down on the transom wheels. Easily portable & cheap, fit a winch somewhere at the top to make recovery easier?

Thank you for the input, it could be a way to do it Wouldn't I need something for the bow while winching it down?

[NickDK]

Originally Posted by Fenlander

>>>Man, that's a piece of cake

Agree now we've seen the pics from beach level a carry would be no problem with no need for DIY ramps etc. I'd still say an air floor will be much easier as a third person would be welcome to carry the extra 25kg of a hard floor but either will be doable.

Ok cool, that you think it's doable as I initially considered it.

[paddlers]

Soon knock something up for the bow !

[NickDK]

It's proving a bit hard to find a light flat floored SIB rated for 20HP - Right now my only option is a Mercury Air Deck 320: http://www.mercury-inflatable.com/qu...0Fishing%20340 - 49KG.
I'm thinking of getting this to test it out and long term buy something heavier/better if I create a ramp. What do you think? - I think it's very important I choose something where the family will feel comfortable, so such a flat floored boat will work good I think. The boats rated for 20HP are very few and there's not much to choose from.

I have talked to the F-Rib dealer regarding the 375 flat floored version, and they're currently not selling it as there had been issues with water getting inside the hollow parts of the floor sandwich. They're waiting for a fix from the company making the boats.

[il corvo]

how about 2 of these in line (fixed together) with 3 trailer rollers bolted on each ramp, one person either side to guide and one to let out a painter at the top to control the speed?

Folding Loading Ramps TRP623 Pair (2200mm long, 230mm wide) - The Ramp People

[il corvo]

or even put up another railing on the other side and slide the boat down those?

just a thought.

[NickDK]

Originally Posted by il corvo

how about 2 of these in line (fixed together) with 3 trailer rollers bolted on each ramp, one person either side to guide and one to let out a painter at the top to control the speed?

Folding Loading Ramps TRP623 Pair (2200mm long, 230mm wide) - The Ramp People

The idea is good, the ramps are just much too short. The ramps I have found in the right length (approx 6 meters are very heavy)

[il corvo]

Originally Posted by NickDK

The idea is good, the ramps are just much too short. The ramps I have found in the right length (approx 6 meters are very heavy)

however, to pin three of them with domed bolts and wing nuts so east to dismantle could be done.

or just take the engine and deflated boat on to the sand one by one and inflate there. only takes 20 mins to put together. far easier to handle deflated.

[il corvo]

considering the distance that what id do.

[NickDK]

Originally Posted by il corvo

considering the distance that what id do.

It just takes out the spontaneity if i have to inflate the boat each time, compared to having it semi ready for take off.

[NickDK]

Originally Posted by il corvo

considering the distance that what id do.

maybe something like two of these?

[il corvo]

Originally Posted by NickDK

It just takes out the spontaneity if i have to inflate the boat each time, compared to having it semi ready for take off.

i get that and it's a shame you cant re shuffle the boulders a bit but i recon though once you've sorted ramps, manual labour so on it may be just as quick to inflate on the sand.

either way, what a cracking location.

[il corvo]

Originally Posted by NickDK

maybe something like two of these?

that would work with transom wheels.

[il corvo]

not cheap though are they, damn!!

[NickDK]

no very expensive! - Also I have looked at transom wheels like beachmaster and they seems to be rated for something very light weight. Moving the boat around in the sand will put quite some stress to the wheels. Do you know which transom wheels that can handle most force?