Launching a Tinnie With 2wd Car
Submitted by Don Logan on Sat, 2016-04-16 09:07
Hi, I'm getting a 3.7m tinnie next weekend. We've got a 3 litre magna with towbar that we'll be using to tow it. I'm wondering how it will be launching and retrieving on various boat ramps. Has anyone used a 2wd, front wheel drive car for launching a small boat? We've got a 20hp 4 stroke so weight of boat and engine should be around 130kgs plus trailer.
I'm thinking that retrieving could maybe be a bit hairy if the ramp's wet or mossy, etc. I was thinking of using a strap to pull the trailer out so that the car didn't have to go too far down the ramp, then I should be able to support the weight of the front of the trailer while the car does the pulling work. Just a thought...
Any advice?
Cheers
groverwa
Posts: 286
Date Joined: 21/07/14
Invest in or make some
Invest in or make some chocks to go behind the wheels to stop your car getting an unwanted bath.
Attach some rope to these chocks so they can be removed by someone else when you are driving up the ramp.
camzak
Posts: 32
Date Joined: 08/05/09
Did it for years with a
Did it for years with a toyota Aurion with no issues, theres not much weight in a 3.7 tinny and this where a front wheel drive is an advantage. Chocks would be a good idea on steep ramps
Cheers
Camzak
Yewiefish85
Posts: 780
Date Joined: 02/01/11
Growing up the old man
Growing up the old man didn't have a 4wd, we had a Mitsubishi colt this was front wheel drive and we launched and retrieved nearly every weekend up here in Hedland, where we have pretty big tides, never really had too much drama, I recon you will be fine with a small tinny like that unless there is weed in the ramp
z00m
Posts: 1086
Date Joined: 10/05/14
Ramps
Which ramps or what area? Perth Metro ramps most of them are very easy and any with the bumpy shapes moulded in offer excellent grip. As mentioned a 3.7m tinny won't be difficult to launch/retrieve. I launched/retrieved my 6.4m Fibreglass boat at south perth with a front wheel drive Kluger when the ramp had 3 inches of sand on it. A bit of wheelspin but still got it done. If the car has traction control this is a bonus on slippery ramps.
DTrain
Posts: 486
Date Joined: 10/02/12
I used to launch a 17ft
I used to launch a 17ft fibreglass runabout with my Magna all the time. Never had any problems on any of the Perth ramps. Had some issues in Busselton once but that was because the ramp was covered with sand.
I don't think you'll have any problems at all with your tinny.
Boydy
Posts: 623
Date Joined: 26/09/12
Launch away
Won't be an issue mate.
Auslobster
Posts: 1901
Date Joined: 03/05/08
Only time you'd have...
...front wheel drive issues on a normal metro ramp is if there's a fair bit of weight on your tow hitch...can cause front (power) wheels to lose grip. Should be no problems at all with a tinny!
tiimmbo
Posts: 694
Date Joined: 16/08/09
I used to launch my old 5.4m
I used to launch my old 5.4m glass boat in my old Magna with no problems at all.
carnarvonite
Posts: 8627
Date Joined: 24/07/07
Chocks
If you are using wheel chocks, tie a short piece of rope to them and the other end to you tow hitch so that when you take off they come up with you , saving you the walk back to retrieve them
red dawn
Posts: 104
Date Joined: 29/11/10
no problem at all Don.
I have a 4 mtr tinny with 30 hp and use a mazda3. never spun a wheel yet. Have used other 20 ltr front drive cars to launch 15 ft glass runabout many times only once had an issue at a very sandy ramp ( Coode str South Perth) but one person pushing at the back fixed that.
Jason P
Posts: 521
Date Joined: 16/02/13
I've beach launched my old
I've beach launched my old 3.6m dinghy penguin island with my camry, and being front wheel drive on a hard flat beach worked better than the hilux that was next to me at the time. Was a calm day might I add.
DM306
SpotHound
Posts: 439
Date Joined: 06/02/14
Sand Ramps
I would stay away from the sand ramps on the swan, seen plenty get stuck in these.
SpotHound
Posts: 439
Date Joined: 06/02/14
Try Maylands
Maylands is a good ramp for newbies, tey that.
duncan61
Posts: 375
Date Joined: 21/11/14
hamelin bay
hamelin bay ramp is wood with weed often on it,The camry we had pulled my bondwood 13 ft boat out better than rear wheel drive cars could.you will not have any problems.good luck
just do it.
meglodon
Posts: 5981
Date Joined: 17/06/10
Bfore launching and retrieving
Size things up have a good look at the layout of the ramp, sand patches weed etc and don't go at it like a bull in a china shop. Slow and steady and you should have no troubles at most of the public ramps.
Remember the old saying,.... if in doubt don't.
Don Logan
Posts: 11
Date Joined: 15/01/16
Ok, looks good then. Thanks
Ok, looks good then. Thanks for the help. And if anyone's up for coming out with a boat fishing newbie on his boat sometime then give me a PM...
Madmerv
Posts: 672
Date Joined: 24/01/15
Easy to do
2WD will do it most times with ease. If it looks like you are spinning a bit then just rock it gently with the accelerator and use the momentum.
You never mentioned what ramps are closest to you for specific advice and if you are looking for deckies then post a day or two out from the trip in the deckies wanted section and see who is available.
Sometimes when the water is quiet, you can hear the fish laughing at you !
Don Logan
Posts: 11
Date Joined: 15/01/16
Cheers. I'm in Hillarys area
Cheers. I'm in Hillarys area so will see about the ramp at the boat harbour. I'd also like to get on the river so would appreciate any advice on a decent ramp anywhere closeish to me.
Lavs
Posts: 174
Date Joined: 30/04/12
Hillarys is very good, and in
Hillarys is very good, and in the River, your closest is probably Matilda Bay which is also very good. You wont have any probs.
I remember the old man launching a tinny with a fwd camry (they were 1.8l back then I think) in Augusta on a crappy gravel ramp when I was a kid. Had no problems at all.