Trailers.

lightning · 06 July 2009, 21:00

I think I need a trailer, I've assembled the new boat/engine (Zodiac 285s) in the garden and it took an hour. I guess I'll get quicker though.
Can I get a trailer for this boat that I can launch it from? This might be an easier option, and I can leave it inflated while I use it on the local canals. I take it I will still need to find a slipway though.

PeteH · 06 July 2009, 21:21

Quote:

Originally Posted by lightning

I think I need a trailer, I've assembled the new boat/engine (Zodiac 285s) in the garden and it took an hour. I guess I'll get quicker though.
Can I get a trailer for this boat that I can launch it from? This might be an easier option, and I can leave it inflated while I use it on the local canals. I take it I will still need to find a slipway though.

Ive just had a go at making up my own as i was sick to death of loading it on the roof of the landy all the time,im not structually minded but it looks like i have a result....

http://www.rib.net/forum/showthread.php?t=30670

codprawn · 06 July 2009, 21:44

It's a pain to get one up onto the roof of a Landy but a normal car should be fine. Just put it on the roof - minus engine of course - and pass some straps through the open windows. No nasty sharp bits to scratch the paint either. Needs 2 people ideally.

If not you can either get/make a proper trailer or better still get a small plant/flatbed trailer - so many uses - would be lost without mine!!!

I can set my sib up in about 20 mins with practice - wooden floor.

What are you using to inflate it?

m chappelow · 06 July 2009, 21:49

dont think you will need a slipway for canal use ,i could launch and recover a 16 foot humber single handed ,and regulary drop and recover my 3.4 in the canal with a 4 foot drop by myself from the towpath .

Nos4r2 · 06 July 2009, 23:18

Quote:

Originally Posted by m chappelow

dont think you will need a slipway for canal use ,i could launch and recover a 16 foot humber single handed ,and regulary drop and recover my 3.4 in the canal with a 4 foot drop by myself from the towpath .

Hell, we managed to recover a 16' Microplus from a canal with a trailer but no slipway-though with hindsight I should have drilled a hole in the bottom and let it sink...

lightning · 07 July 2009, 08:30

Well, I can't see a problem getting the boat in the canal (where there's no slipway) but how do I get the engine on?

m chappelow · 07 July 2009, 12:02

put the boat in water then tie up boat at bow and stern, so there is no chance of one end drifting out ,then stand in boat and lift down engine and fix to transom ,and do reverse when getting it out ,.just have eveything prepared beforehand eg safety rope around outboard should you drop it ,unscrew transom clamps so you are not fiddling whilst holding engine .you could fix engine on ,slide boat and launch stern first i have done that a few times .

lightning · 07 July 2009, 19:36

Thanks for the advice, I will try that, I don't really want to put the boat on a trailer if possible, as it partially defeats the point of having a lightweight boat, might as well have gone for a RIB.
Should be OK once we get used to it.

PeteH · 09 July 2009, 21:51

Quote:

Originally Posted by lightning

Thanks for the advice, I will try that, I don't really want to put the boat on a trailer if possible, as it partially defeats the point of having a lightweight boat, might as well have gone for a RIB.
Should be OK once we get used to it.

I think once you get in to it,you will get peed off with inflate deflating and you might look into trailering it, all depends on how much you want to enjoy your sib and how often you use it.

Pete.

m chappelow · 10 July 2009, 11:31

Quote:

Originally Posted by lightning

Thanks for the advice, I will try that, I don't really want to put the boat on a trailer if possible, as it partially defeats the point of having a lightweight boat, might as well have gone for a RIB.
Should be OK once we get used to it.

one other thing with small boats on canals ,take a couple of tent pegs with you then you can moor up anywhere if theres nothing to tie up to .and watch out for plaggy bags and weed around the prop though they clear easy .