Launching wheels/soft sand

thestig1973 · 05 March 2013, 11:42

I took my futura FR to new Brighton yesterday, it was "a bit choppy" in a 3.8m sib

When I tried to drag it out of the water the wheels dug deep into the soft sand, making it almost impossible to recover

Has anyone experienced this or have any tips how to recover in this situation?

Locozodiac · 05 March 2013, 12:43

You need wide tires boogy type, probably yours are thin ones which dugs deep in sand, try deflating them a bit as they do in Dakar...

Happy Boating

thestig1973 · 05 March 2013, 13:39

Quote:

Originally Posted by Locozodiac

You need wide tires boogy type, probably yours are thin ones which dugs deep in sand, try deflating them a bit as they do in Dakar...

Happy Boating

They are thick tyres but fully inflated, I'll try deflating
Cheers mate

wxmrich · 05 March 2013, 18:37

Did you have to show your powerboat licence to launch?

thestig1973 · 05 March 2013, 20:06

Quote:

Originally Posted by wxmrich

Did you have to show your powerboat licence to launch?

No, but I'm told that I will have to show my pb2 certificate as from middle of march onwards (they don't check out of season)

Safewater training do a permit for £60 per year, you need your pb2, car and boat insurance to obtain the permit

falcon0310 · 05 March 2013, 21:21

where in bright that ?

thestig1973 · 05 March 2013, 21:46

Quote:

Originally Posted by falcon0310

where in bright that ?

Launch straight off the beach, park on the beach too if you keep an eye on the tides

New Brighton, Wirral

Peter_C · 05 March 2013, 22:25

Got a photo of your wheel setup? Size of tyres?

Unfortunately I haven't seen really any manufactured launch wheel setups for beach launching a heavy boat. Also did you take everything possible out of the boat to lighten it up? As mentioned above the tyres should be bulging out at the sides, with a very low pressure.

thestig1973 · 05 March 2013, 22:35

Quote:

Originally Posted by Peter_C

Got a photo of your wheel setup? Size of tyres?

Unfortunately I haven't seen really any manufactured launch wheel setups for beach launching a heavy boat. Also did you take everything possible out of the boat to lighten it up? As mentioned above the tyres should be bulging out at the sides, with a very low pressure.

There's pics of the wheels on my profile Peter (fastened to transom in upright position)

The only weight in the sib was fuel tank and outboard, a few other lightweight items

I'm almost certain the tyres are inflated to max recommended so I might try a few less psi

Peter_C · 05 March 2013, 23:34

The tyres look pretty narrow. Instead of a few less PSI try a couple of PSI as in 2 PSI. Best bet put the boat on pavement and let the air out of the tyres until they bulge out decently.

There may not be much you can do though as a narrow tyre will sink in soft soft. Getting a bigger set of wheels is the solution, but doubtful they will fit on the legs you already have.

thestig1973 · 05 March 2013, 23:46

Quote:

Originally Posted by Peter_C

The tyres look pretty narrow. Instead of a few less PSI try a couple of PSI as in 2 PSI. Best bet put the boat on pavement and let the air out of the tyres until they bulge out decently.

There may not be much you can do though as a narrow tyre will sink in soft soft. Getting a bigger set of wheels is the solution, but doubtful they will fit on the legs you already have.

As far as I know they are the widest tyres/launch wheels zodiac offer, maybe I need a big shiny new rib on a trailer.... Lol

Peter_C · 06 March 2013, 00:59

Ya know, I though about and with modifications requiring welding you could probably swap over to something like an 11" Wheeleez tire that would float across the sand. They would require a wider axle though. If you want me to brain storm, post a photo of the leg with the wheel removed and put a tape measure to it showing the length of the axle.

thestig1973 · 06 March 2013, 10:36

Quote:

Originally Posted by Peter_C

Ya know, I though about and with modifications requiring welding you could probably swap over to something like an 11" Wheeleez tire that would float across the sand. They would require a wider axle though. If you want me to brain storm, post a photo of the leg with the wheel removed and put a tape measure to it showing the length of the axle.

Thanks Peter

Usually I'm with people who can help me drag the boat out, just struggled cause I was on my own this time
Thanks for your offer