I'd want the warranty to include repairs to the boat if it breaks loose when reversing on the ramp and it slides off prematurely due to product failure

The other issue is most boat ramps do not allow driving on over here

Regardless of that it's well thought out and a smart idea

Boadie have something very similar to that on the surtees except it does not have a spring action it has a counterweight action

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dkIJMzTZnAA

If there the ones I'm thinking of they work very well but need to put saftey chain on ASAP - before driving out of the water. 

They release by driving forward in the boat and only hold by tension rearwards. So if you hit a bump or brake enough to make the boat move forward they have been known to release and more then one boat has ended on the ramp as a result

There is another than you have a pull cord to release it

I would suggest to go to the boat show ,not only can you see whats on the market but you will poss get it cheaper .

I dont have too much issue with the boat sliding backwards, although i do take care and always have the safety on. I can actually pull the boat out without any chain or winch attached if really need be. As i said always have the afety on tho, i dont really want to drop a 3 tonne boat on the ramp!

Am thinking more for ease of launching in most cases. A lot of ramps around perth dont have many ramps, so being able to drop the boat right in, without waiting etc will be much quicker. Also at the moment as in eed to skid the boat off, i usually drive the car to do this, rather than rely on the deckies who as you can understand dont always feel too comfortable doing something like this is with someone elses boat and car

One of the best things I've bought for my boat.

Makes self launching and retrieving a 6 meter glass boat a breeze.

Useless as tits on a bull if your trailer isn't drive on/off however.

I have the exact product you have posted mounted for a Barcrusher.  

Yes its great for drive off.  Simply put the boat in gear, power forward a bit which releases the snare, neutral, and you will roll back into the water.

Just before reversing the trailer  into the water, you have to take off your shackle and S hook and let the whole boat be taken by the snare.  Unless you do something really goofy, I cannot see the boat prematurely coming off as the weight of the boat is pulling againt the snare. 

Driving on is easy and you keep on driving forward until you physically hear the snare shut.  Take the revs off and the boat rolls back straight into the arm of the snare.  if you have a decky handy, attach the S hook and wind up to max before driving off, or do it while you are still on the slope of the ramp.

This is where I can see the boat rolling off especially if you hit a bump.

Mine is currently not working for retrieve (I suspect its the spring losing tension) as the snare doesn't catch.  I have spoken to the designer in SA and he is a lovely guy to talk to.

Hope this helps

Chris

Oops, I just saw the ad and I have been using the wrong terminology.

The "snare" is actually the loop bolted onto the bow.  The "latch" is what I have called snare all the time in my earlier post.

Sorry.......

Good call Grayzee, I'll break my habit and unhook everything when the transom is in the water instead of about 10m away from water's edge.

Funny when I purchased the boat I noticed the outboard skeg was a tiny bit bent.  On querying he said he had "some problems" that day with the latch.

Skeg has been fixed professionally since.

Set it up as per instructions. Worked great then one day buckled the latch. Fitted a new one and it's all ok. Works great but it has been a bitch to set up. I never remove safety chain or engage the latech till the trailer is in the water, After drive-on fu=it the chain and disengage the latch. It's only meant for launch and retrieve not fot towing.

 have one of these new in box to suit a aluminum boat if anyone is interested ?