Because of the very slight gradient on the slip I use at Gillingham I have to use a 30ft rope from the trailer to the tow vehicle, even with this length the boat is only just in deep enough water. It is a matter of experience knowing when the leg is not going to crash onto the cobbled slip where we are, we now know the depths and the tides. I know one thing for certain and that is without the extra 30ft my vehicle would need to be submerged to get the boat off, now I think that is because it sits quite high on the pneumatic wheels, but I normally wait for the rear to start floating before releasing the bow/cleat rope. I guess if you knew your slip suddenly went deep then no problem, just that Gillingham is a bugger, and I have seen others make that mistake. With the extra rope it is just so easy as the slip is very long and all cobbled, although a slight gradient.
Now launching at Cobbs Quay is a dream, best spot I know. I keep the boat in it's berth at the marina most of the time, but have been making best use of the trailer to see other beauty spots rather than just Chatham
. We will get a bigger boat when we decide where we would like a permanent mooring, but at the moment we have the best of both worlds, plus the boat is brilliant fun and fast when when you want it to be.
I am also monitoring the diesel price hike issue, if this happens which it most likely will, then there will be a big drop in the prices of diesel cruisers in the mid range IMHO. There are people at the moment who have their head in the sand, but if it happens and they have not thought or dealt with the issue then they may find their asset / boat has devalued immensly. There is no way that diesel going up to £1 a litre is not going to affect a good majority of people, I think I will wait and snap up a bargain then from someone who hasn't taken notice of the warnings, and is struggling to sell their diesel guzzling boat after the price hike
The smart diesel boat owners that are on a tight budget are starting to get out now, either to sail boats or down sizing, the ones that don't will either have to reduce their mileage by a quarter or send the wife out to work
RIBS will be even more poular
I know for sure that if given a choice between a stinking loud diesel and a sweet smooth running V8 what I would go for, anyway it will make a change to see the larger petrol boats that have suffered in the past now fashionable, but now is the time to get one of those I guess if that's what you want. If I start doing long range cruising then I will have to suffer with the diesel, it is apparently safer and better range, but it's not like there are petrol boats blowing up every day. A bit like don't use a mobile phone at the garage, when was the last time you saw a garage blow up when someone had been on the phone
I hope that all makes sense
