Feb 15, 2010
RYA Top Tips: Launch & Recovery
Much of this article on boat launching and recovery will be rudimentary for the seasoned boatie, but every year we welcome hundreds of newcomer boaties to our waters, whom will learn from these wise RYA words of instruction, and a little refresher for the old timers will not hurt any either.
Launching and recovery is something that you pay scant regard to when you first think about getting a boat, but unless you keep your boat on the water, it is definitely a fundamental part of boating.
The thing is that, if you don't know what you are doing, launch and recovery can be very stressful, even dangerous. So a bit of planning and preparation can ensure that your boating enjoyment isn't marred by any launching or recovery disasters.
This excerpt from Paul Glatzel's RYA Powerboat Handbook should help to ensure that you keep your wheels firmly on the slipway and your boat under control at all times.
Here are a few pointers...
Planning
- Where to launch? Public boat ramps are usually provided free of charge by Regional Councils. Privately owned marina or club ramps may be for members only or a fee may be required.
- Check if there are local bylaws to consider, some areas allow only certain types or sizes of boats and some bylaws prohibit (for instance) using the engine to power the boat on or off the trailer.
- Some ramps are suitable only for smaller craft, while others have a walkway or dock alongside, making launching much easier. Beware, some ramps end abruptly leaving the trailer wheels stuck in the mud at low water.
- Ensure your vehicle is up to the job. Four wheel drive vehicles are best. Smaller front wheel drives may suffer from wheel spin on a steep gradient ramp or if the weight of the trailer is excessive. Choose a boat ramp and launch method to suit your vehicle and boat.
- Check the local tide tables in advance to ensure you have enough water for launching and recovery.
- Are conditions safe for launching? Strong winds, especially if they are blowing onshore, can make a launch very difficult and even dangerous.
Preparation
- On arrival, park well away from the ramp.
- Remove the tow flag, tie-down straps and engine support bracket (if fitted).
- Insert the bung/s and check the hull for any damage or stress which may have been sustained in transit.
- Check that all safety equipment and any other gear needed for the trip is aboard.
After a long journey let the wheel bearings cool for 45 minutes before launching.
Immersing hot wheel bearings earlier may create a vacuum as the bearings rapidly cool, this draws in water and washes out the grease from the bearings.
Launching
How far the trailer is reversed into the water depends on the gradient of the slipway, the size and weight of boat, and how easy it is to launch from the trailer.
The rear of the boat needs to float so that it can be reversed or pushed off the trailer. Car wheels are best kept well away from salt water.
- Manoeuvre the trailer to the top of the slipway.
- Reverse down the slipway if possible only partially submerging the trailer's wheels (to preserve the bearings and brakes). Un-shackle the safety chain and very carefully, gripping the winch handle firmly with two hands, take the strain, release the winch catch and slowly ease off until you can undo the winch wire hook or shackle. Hold on to the painter and push the boat off the trailer or hop into the boat and reverse it away.
- At the top of the slipway, chock and disconnect the trailer, lower the jockey wheel and put the handbrake on (if fitted).
- Connect a long line between the trailer and tow bar using bowlines.
- Drive the car forwards to take up the slack in the line. Remove the trailer handbrake and chocks and slowly reverse down the ramp while a crew member keeps the trailer in line.
- The crew may need to wade into the water to ease the boat off.
- Ease the trailer into the water so that it is partially submerged and allows the boat to drive on to it.
- Trim the engine up so that the prop does not ground on approach, ensure that cooling water is still circulating.
- Drive the boat on to the trailer compensating for wind and stream.
- When the boat is on the trailer, attach the winch hook or shackle the forward D ring and safety chain or painter.
- If a rope or extension bar was used, chock the wheels and reattach the vehicle to the trailer.
- Ideally, flush the engine cooling system with fresh water and give the boat and trailer a hose down. If your engine does not have a dedicated flushing point, use a hose attached to flushing muffs to direct fresh water to the intake. Start the engine and run in neutral for three to four minutes. Check your engine manual for 'care after use' details.
- Ensure the boat is centrally and securely on the trailer.
- Use tie-down straps to hold the rear of the boat firmly to the trailer.
- Ensure the winch wire is firmly connected to the D-ring on the bow to hold the front of the boat in position.
- Use a safety chain between the boat and trailer as well as between the vehicle and trailer as a safety measure.
- Stow or remove all loose gear, fit the tow flag and check all trailer lights.
If the gradient of the slipway is shallow - preventing you from launching with the trailer attached to the car, use a rope or metal extension bar to enable the trailer to be reversed further into the water without immersing the car wheels:
Tip - Launching or recovering with a rope between the vehicle and trailer can be useful to keep the tow vehicle's wheels clear of the lower slippery part of the slipway and water.
Danger - If launching or recovering with the trailer detached from the tow vehicle, ensure the trailer is well in the water before pushing the boat off or winching it on. The weight of the boat on the rear of the trailer can cause the nose of the trailer to be forced rapidly skywards as the weight transfers.
Recovery
In many instances it is possible to stop the boat whilst drifting towards the slip, jump out when the water is shallow enough and hold the boat until the trailer comes into the water. On other occasions, especially where the ramp is steep, it can be best to drive the boat onto the trailer.
Danger - Serious injury can occur when boats roll off trailers with the winch wire attached and the winch handle rotating rapidly. When winching a boat onto the trailer always activate the ratchet/safety catch so that it will lock if you accidentally let go of the handle. Never try to grab a winch handle if it is spinning.
Driving onto a trailer
This technique requires careful throttle control and more care is required than with a manual recovery. The helmsman needs to line up the approach to the trailer compensating for wind and tide, arriving at the trailer so that the forward 'V' of the hull aligns centrally on the trailer.
Danger - To avoid the boat accidentally sliding off the trailer when backing down or driving up the ramp, always ensure the winch wire and safety chain or painter are firmly attached - securing the boat to the trailer.
Before towing
Tip:
Steep slipways and heavy boats can cause serious harm; so take things slowly. Plan what you are going to do and double check everything before you start. Remember, a good launch is one that is slow, controlled and safe. Hopefully these tips have helped you with what can seem a complicated procedure - and well help avoid any embarrassing scenes at the boat ramp!
Excerpts taken from "RYA Powerboat Handbook" ($54.90) by Paul Glatzel, available from Trans Pacific Marine 0800 422 427 sales@ transpacific.co.nz
Practical powerboat courses are available from RYA Training Centres
throughout New Zealand, administered by Coastguard Boating Education:
Contact 0800 40 80 90 or www.cbes.org.nz
