Boat Catch
Submitted by Willlo on Mon, 2017-05-15 09:29
Hi Guys ,
Well after a successful solo effort last week , couldn't find a deckie .I bit the bullet and took the boat out solo , first time in about 6 yrs . Managed to bag out on dhu , snapper and K George. After that i am revitalized and will be doing more. Which brings me to my question. I have a 5.8 Haines centre cab , it's a heavy f@$% and it took me a while to launch and retrieve, luckily it wasn't busy at the ramp but if i am going to be going solo more often i would like to streamline the launch anf retrieval times , usually with a deckie i can do it in undet a couple of minutes. Do people rate the boat catch and are there any better methods ?
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Call Sign - BZ785
Haynes Hunter Prowler CC
dodgy
Posts: 4563
Date Joined: 01/02/10
I launch and retrieve my 7m
I launch and retrieve my 7m ally by myself a fair bit. (Well, and a 4 year old) Just back the trailer hard along the jetty and my trailer has some v skids added to the rollers so it guides itself on. Nice and simple.
Does anyone know where the love of god goes, when the waves turn the minutes to hours?
Grey Ghost
Posts: 183
Date Joined: 12/10/15
Power on/off
Yes it's great but some places eg Cockburn Power Boat Club don't allow it at their ramps.
"Grey Ghost", 670HT Barcrusher with 150 Yamaha, based at Cockburn PBC.
Jackfrost80
Posts: 8048
Date Joined: 07/05/12
My outer hull is sealed so I
My outer hull is sealed so I bought the L&R Boat Latch system and I can't believe this is wasn't the first thing I installed on the boat. It's not a positive locking mechanism like the boat catch so I just drive it up the ramp enough to attach my winch rope and safety chain without getting my feet wet before I drive to the wash down station.
No more climbing up and down jetties to winch my boat on before it rolls back off the trailer!
Officially off the Pies bandwagon
Willlo
Posts: 1490
Date Joined: 07/10/11
So Jack i presume you are
So Jack i presume you are solo ? so do you climb over the bow once you r secure to drive the car up the ramp ?
Call Sign - BZ785
Haynes Hunter Prowler CC
Jackfrost80
Posts: 8048
Date Joined: 07/05/12
Yeah mate usually solo, with
Yeah mate usually solo, with my 4 or 7y old or with the Mrs holding my 2y old... all requiring me to do 100% of the work.
Most ramps you can drive onto your trailer and step onto the jetty and walk back to your car. Hillarys is difficult due to that stupid kerb on the ramp creating a gap and I've been climbing over the side and down onto the wheel well but I found on Friday night that if I back the trailer in on a slight angle my stern is close enough to the jetty to grab a pylon and jump onto the jetty.
I'd suggest that you have a practice crack at driving onto the trailer to see if your boat centres before you fork out the $$ on a latch/catch system. My trailer seems to be perfectly setup for it and I can hit it at various angles and it will centre perfectly every time.
Officially off the Pies bandwagon
Willlo
Posts: 1490
Date Joined: 07/10/11
All good with driving on and
All good with driving on and off been doing that for years. The ramp i use in bunno once the boat is on the trailer is to far away to get off. Looks like i will be going over the bow , will have to get a ladder for the roof rack on the 100 series might make it a bit easier, not that agile nowadays.
Call Sign - BZ785
Haynes Hunter Prowler CC
Flaminghedgehog
Posts: 58
Date Joined: 19/04/15
Balex auto loader
Probably costs a bomb but the Balex auto launcher looks like the ultimate trailer addition for flying solo.
www.youtube.com/watch
Jackfrost80
Posts: 8048
Date Joined: 07/05/12
Thousands. Definitely a
Thousands. Definitely a luxury item for people with too much money
Officially off the Pies bandwagon
Outwide
Posts: 68
Date Joined: 12/05/17
I was quoted 4000 for the
I was quoted 4000 for the Balex system. Decided id winch for ever
mickconn
Posts: 47
Date Joined: 24/03/13
Boatcatch
Probably the most useful thing I have bought to date. Solo launch and retreive is easy and takes the stress out of trips with the wife and kids. I don't drive off but activate the release from the jetty with ropes in hand tie the boat up and park the car. Where I can I always drive on the catch grabs the boat and I walk off the bow. Takes 30 seconds max. Probably not such an advantage if you aren't going to drive on. I have a 6.4m Caribbean Reef Runner.
Mitch88
Posts: 181
Date Joined: 23/09/14
Save ur cash and work on
Save ur cash and work on your technique.
Reverse close down to jetty, throw bow to stern rope around jetty so once boat is un-hooked it's not floating away , then walk boat to end of jetty.
If you have trouble with ur boat sliding off before un-doing winch hook throw a coupla wraps of the bow to stern rope around winch post allowing that to take the weight of the boat while you un hook.
When retrieving do the same with your rope around jetty, walk down trailer , hook on boat, get it tight on the winch, un-hook rope from jetty and crank up onto trailer.
For me it comes down to trailer placement as to how hard or easy your launch/retrieval is.
Jackfrost80
Posts: 8048
Date Joined: 07/05/12
That's how I used to do it.
That's how I used to do it. Now I just drive up, clunk, two turns of the winch, chain on and I'm outa there.
No more wet feet, no more winching the boat up and I'm outa there a lot faster and I had the solo retrieve down to a fine art. It all comes down to whether you want to spend the $ on something that's nice to have.
Officially off the Pies bandwagon
paul d
Posts: 252
Date Joined: 16/03/13
I do the same Mitch , but i
I do the same Mitch , but i have a 6m long rope that has a s/s snap hook that i can attach to the rope attached to the bow and stern , that i can hold on to as the boat slides off the trailer
Paul
DTrain
Posts: 486
Date Joined: 10/02/12
It can be a bit of a
It can be a bit of a tight-rope walk trying to get down the trailer to grab the bow of the boat. Either that or you have wade in up to your waist.
I much prefer driving on. Keeps your feet dry especially in winter when your wearing shoes instead of thongs.
I don't have a boat catch system so I just leave the boat idling forward on the trailer and climb over the bow to connect the winch strap then climb back into the boat to turn off the engine and lift it out the water. If the boat isn't idling forward then it rolls straight back off the trailer.
It's a bit of a pain but I don't know if I want to part with the money for a boat catch system. Most of the time there's a deckie around to hook up the winch strap.
Willlo
Posts: 1490
Date Joined: 07/10/11
Yep that was going to be the
Yep that was going to be the plan but I've got the cash and it's burning a hole in the pocket , and if i don't buy this I'll probably waste it on a house payment or phone bill lol.
Call Sign - BZ785
Haynes Hunter Prowler CC
gruntre69
Posts: 533
Date Joined: 15/10/16
I do the same but mine
I do the same but mine requires a bit more than Idling.
I've also made up a velcro catch system which holds the boat with the winch hook off. To release you just tear the Velcro and away it goes. It's real handy for people to help me release the boat when I say I'm ready and they don't have to stuff around with the winch. Can make these up for others if anybody wants. Just PM me. They easily hold my 5.75 glass boat which really rolls well.
I'm thinking of making up my own boat catch by copying the bar crusher design which I like because it's very simple.
Marine trimmer NOR (available for clears, tops, carpet, upholstery, custom equipment covers)
DTrain
Posts: 486
Date Joined: 10/02/12
I have a quick release
I have a quick release shackle that I use to launch if the boat starts rolling off the trailer before you can undo the winch hook.
All you have to do is pull the little tab on the side and it lets go.
Sounds like it does the same job as your velcro one.
I don't use it that often. I realised if I backed the trailer into the water a bit further then the boat doesn't roll off by itself.
sunshine
Posts: 2554
Date Joined: 03/03/09
Mitch has hit the nail squarely on the head
Most of my launch and retrieve is solo as my deckie is a copper and getting shifts to align is ridiculous. Everything Mitch has said mirrors what I was about to post.
Vinesh87
Posts: 2751
Date Joined: 02/04/11
Have a look at the Katchya.
Have a look at the Katchya. Easier to install and works great!
tot
Posts: 1149
Date Joined: 31/01/10
off topic slightly...
Now this method of launching would get the blood pumping!!
I think thats the skipp up on the platform.
https://www.liveleak.com/view?i=d45_1494769656
Reverse cycle a/c supply and install - Ducted and wall splits
sunshine
Posts: 2554
Date Joined: 03/03/09
Looks like an old lifeboat
And had to reverse to get water over the props
Coastrunner
Posts: 414
Date Joined: 25/10/14
Solo launch and retrieve here
Bar Catch works every time, cross currents or wind no drama, can nudge up to the trailer at 45 degerees in the wind and drive it on, but yeah climbing down off the bow via the spare wheel puts the old bones to the test. Nearly 12 months owning this boat, 120hrs and I havent used the winch.
Y_Knot
Posts: 64
Date Joined: 05/11/10
This one would be expensive
This one would be expensive but simple to use..
http://www.balexmarine.com
I have the boatlatch on a 8m ally and it works a treat..
pelagicyachts
Posts: 1299
Date Joined: 23/02/11
yep - bit too expensive for
yep - bit too expensive for most - company is in liquidation
Pursuant to section 241 of the Companies Act 1993 the above named companies were put into Liquidation by the appointment of Joint and Several Liquidators
The Liquidators are selling the assets and business of Balex Marine Limited and Suelex Limited. For further information please contact Paul Manning on 07 5716280 or email
Prego
Posts: 135
Date Joined: 03/06/09
L&R boat latch
sure makes it easy. 6.5m fibreglass. Having said that, CPBA don't allow drive-on so I just sink the trailer further so there's not so much hard winching. Trailer placement is the go as Match88 explains.
Willlo
Posts: 1490
Date Joined: 07/10/11
Thanks everyone for their
Thanks everyone for their advice i had a look at a couple of set ups today , an L&R and a boat catch. Although the boat catch is more expensive i reckon I'll go for it. It looks a lot more robust and once its on its on. Time will tell eh.
Call Sign - BZ785
Haynes Hunter Prowler CC
Willlo
Posts: 1490
Date Joined: 07/10/11
Well that sux gone through
Well that sux gone through the buyers remorse before I'd even made the purchase done deal, thought i might just check that i had room for bolts to come through into the anchor well , nahda no room at all. Will now look at Vinesh suggestion with the Katchya style. Otherwise it will be back to old school, throttle on climb in and out etc . Dontcha just hate that lol.
Call Sign - BZ785
Haynes Hunter Prowler CC
Jackfrost80
Posts: 8048
Date Joined: 07/05/12
Boat Latch just replaces
Boat Latch just replaces your existing bow eye. I had a couple of issues and the guy that produces them was amazing in talking me through it.
Basically my nuts had been glassed in and I had to cut into the glass to find them.
Officially off the Pies bandwagon
Willlo
Posts: 1490
Date Joined: 07/10/11
All good am going to extend
All good am going to extend the winch post a little bit which will solve the drama. Job for Saturday arvo might post a before and after shot..
Call Sign - BZ785
Haynes Hunter Prowler CC
Jackfrost80
Posts: 8048
Date Joined: 07/05/12
I had to do the same thing to
I had to do the same thing to attach the supporting bolt. Got a bit of scrap 15mm flat bar from Di Condellos for about $7. The replacement drill bit from getting overexcited and going to quick cost me more!
Officially off the Pies bandwagon
Willlo
Posts: 1490
Date Joined: 07/10/11
Lol Jack i will be employing
Lol Jack i will be employing a young deckie who is a gun welder for the arvo . Cost will be a free fishing trip for him and probably a ctn but i will help with that.
Call Sign - BZ785
Haynes Hunter Prowler CC