To put in marina or not?

[two stroke mick]

PD that sounds like the voice of experiance regarding a beach launch. Is there anything we should be told

TSM

[Wightdiver]

Originally Posted by Trimix

Im reading this thread with interest as my RIB needs to be somewhere for a few months before I take it to Corsica.

As much as Id like my new toy sat on my drive - I live in Oxfordshire - so unless I take it down the Thames I will have to trailer it to the coast. Looking at the map the closest is Southampton, then Portsmouth, then Poole.

Do marinas do deals for just a few months ?

Just how hard is it to stick it in the water yourself - I didnt think that was an issue, but reading this thread either everyone is lazy or Im a bit naive when it comes to launching from a trailer.

Any recommendations for a Marina that would work for me driving down the A34 from Oxford ?

Try this place thay do three month contracts, 5 mins from junction 8 of the M27. Eastlands Boat Yard. A generous car park close to the marina bridge link, coupled with extensive hard-standing, winter storage, and dry berthing with the use of a private slipway as well as a holding pontoon, makes Eastlands one of the best facilitie

Might see you there?

Andy

[Trimix]

That does look convinient Andy, I may give them a call. And from what Pikey Dave says I may see if they offer to put it in the water for me.

Cheers

[Pikey Dave]

Originally Posted by two stroke mick

....Is there anything we should be told

TSM

Aye, don't do it!

Over the years I've:-

Had winch post through front of boat =£1500 repair bill
Broken thumb
Lost a company Disco(not mine TF) to incoming tide= write off.
Drowned various phones including brand new Iphone 4
Damaged gel coat

I'm thinking of adding Rule#5; Don't beach launch

[Wightdiver]

Originally Posted by Trimix

That does look convinient Andy, I may give them a call. And from what Pikey Dave says I may see if they offer to put it in the water for me.

Cheers

They do, £25.00 both ways with a wash off and putting the cover back on. You can also do it yourself one way or both.

Andy

[paulbrown22]

I trailer launch my 9m Ribec fairly often with no issues with 2 of us, and that's a fairly hefty boat! I think it mainly depends how much hassle it is for you to move the boat around at home, and how much you enjoy towing!

It the Summer, because we have a sailing boat in the water, I can't justify paying to keep the RIB in as well, so just drop it in when I want. But in the Winter, I keep it in the water for 3+ months, as the rates are a darn sight cheaper, and as I'm not sailing have more opportunities to use it.

If the trailer is well setup and the slipway reasonable, then trailer launching/recovery shouldn't be overly difficult. Maybe we're lucky that our slipway has a pontoon beside, so we can immediately tie the boat to that whilst we sort out the car/trailer. We've launched/recovered happily with winds F6/F7 - get everything setup properly first, plan what you're going to do, and there should be no need for drama!

But I would agree that having the boat in the water is far easier, and does encourage just popping down to use it, without the worry of launching, and towing.

We used to live on the outskirts of Reading/Wokingham, and drove to Poole every weekend to go boating. Either Salterns or Poole Quay Boat Haven will often do short term contracts if they have space. But if you don't mind location, is an easier drive to have the boat in Southampton somewhere.

[John Kennett]

Originally Posted by Pikey Dave

I'm thinking of adding Rule#5; Don't beach launch

That's not Rule 5*. It does apply though

*NSFW

[Pikey Dave]

Originally Posted by John Kennett

That's not Rule 5*. It does apply though

*NSFW

Dunno about hardening up, I've certainly wised up over the years Thats the thing about age, as you get wiser, you get softer:P

[John Kennett]

And that's the truth!

[treerat]

Originally Posted by Pikey Dave

NEVER EVER beach launch don't be tempted, don't let anyone talk you into it, don't feel pressured to do it, just don't.
.

We have very few slip ways in North Cornwall so beach launching is quite normal with both mine and the clubs dive rib.

By choice we'll recover on a falling tide. Push the trailer in, bring the boat up, float or winch on and wait for the tide to go out before full recovery.

Either that or it's 4 or so people and a separate driver for the tow vehicle.

[Bucksribster]

I live on the Oxfordshire / Buckinghamshire borders, and usually tow launch at Camber Dock in Portsmouth. Only £2 or so plus parking, and I hve launched my 5.6m rib single handed. This is easy because it is very protected, and you can tie up after launching / before recovery while you park / get the car. You are also right by the harbour entrance, so not too much of a trek before you can open the taps up..... :-)

I reckon about 20 - 30 mins from arriving at the dock to being out on the water. About the same in reverse.

Would prefer to dry stack, but for me, the number of times I can get down does not justify the expense. Oh, and I am a skinflint!

[Pikey Dave]

Originally Posted by treerat

We have very few beaches in North Cornwall so beach launch quite often with both mine and the clubs dive rib.

By choice we'll recover on a falling tide. Push the trailer in, bring the boat up, float or winch on and wait for the tide to go out before full recovery.

Either that or it's 4 or so people and a separate driver for the tow vehicle.

If you've got plenty of bodies it's not too bad, if there are just 2 of you it can be a 'mare, especially if the wind's changed or picked up whilst you've been out. I've had to beach the boat on the sand before now & winch it onto the trailer dry, off the beach rather than try & recover in the surf. I just stick to protected slips & harbours now, it's not worth the hassle otherwise.

[tony t]

Originally Posted by Pikey Dave

Aye, don't do it! Over the years I've:- Had winch post through front of boat =£1500 repair bill Broken thumb Lost a company Disco(not mine TF) to incoming tide= write off. Drowned various phones including brand new Iphone 4 Damaged gel coat I'm thinking of adding Rule#5; Don't beach launch

FFs dave and to think I look to you for guidance

[Pikey Dave]

Originally Posted by tony t

FFs dave and to think I look to you for guidance

I suffer so you don't have to

[willk]

Rule #12 - The correct number of boats to own is n+1.
While the minimum number of boats one should own is three, the correct number is n+1, where n is the number of boats currently owned. This equation may also be re-written as s-1, where s is the number of boats owned that would result in separation from your partner.

I can think of quite a few ribnobburs who should consider s-1...

[kubcat]

Originally Posted by willk

Rule #12 - The correct number of boats to own is n+1. While the minimum number of boats one should own is three, the correct number is n+1, where n is the number of boats currently owned. This equation may also be re-written as s-1, where s is the number of boats owned that would result in separation from your partner. I can think of quite a few ribnobburs who should consider s-1...

Makes sense to me.

[Neil Harvey]

Trimix, you could also try Drivers Dry Berthing on the Itchen
Www.dryberthing.com
They will do monthly contracts and charge per launch so not paying unlimited launches which is expensive if not using the boat enough