Beach Launch Bogie

yoyo · 09 March 2006, 00:26

Hi everyone,
It’s getting real close to the first launch of the small 4.6m rib that I have been kitting out over the last few long cold winter months.
I must say a big thanks to all you Ribnet members for the excellent help & advice that I have received during my little winter project.
I intend to be using the rib mainly on Gods Isle (Anglesey) at Traeth Bychan close to where the summer caravan is sited. Lots of beach launches are required here, and over the years I have seen many a fancy 4x4 fall foul of the sea, requiring a tow out by one of the local tractors. This particular beach has a certain ”knack” to a successful recovery.
With this in mind I decided to make a retractable launch bogie to help with recovery using the 10m of rope method as watching others, the jockey wheel just seemed to dig down into the sand.

I found some nice stainless box & angle section from the scrap skip at work and got the wheels off ebay £13.30 the pair. Hopefully it should work.
The picture attached is just a mock-up as I have yet to refine the assembly and fit the washers and R clips to the shaft which will hold the wheels on.

I made some AutoCAD drawings of all the bits that I will try to post as pdfs if any one is interested in making something similar.

Bob.

codprawn · 09 March 2006, 03:31

Too right - great idea. I have also noticed this problem - was considering making up a skid/ski to attach to the jocky wheel - your idea looks a lot stronger!!!

Funnily enough I bought 4 wheels just like those you have used - they were going cheap in a local tool shop - thought they would come in useful - only £5 each - they have the roller bearings inside them.

gaelforce · 09 March 2006, 13:48

good luck with your innovation. perhaps the key ratio here is force over area. sand resistance to pressure changes as well. I carry a 10"x8" block of wood to put under the jockey wheel to spread the load

George8910 · 10 March 2006, 15:24

I am not familiar with the beach in question - I take it the sand becomes too soft to support a 4x4? if so do you plan to launch by hand and then recover using rope?

on a tangent - I had wondered about a similar mechanism except powered by a small engine to aid 'parking' the rib on a small piece of grass

yoyo · 10 March 2006, 16:15

[QUOTE=George8910] I am not familiar with the beach in question - I take it the sand becomes too soft to support a 4x4?

A: Occasionally yes. I dont want to get the wheels wet on the car, Its ok on the beach with care.

so do you plan to launch by hand and then recover using rope?

A: When required to do so yes. the slip only sees tide for a couple of hours.