Singlanded Slipway Recovery of a boat

Talent · 09-10-2012 6:07pm #1

I devised this little winch arangement for my sailing dinghy's launching trolley when I hurt both knee and ankle this summer. It enables me recover singlehanded. The line from the winch is attached to a snap hook which is attached to a ring on the slipway as I bring the trolley down to the boat. As soon as I get the boat floated onto the trolley I can start winching. It's a small winch (needed to be to fit the confined space at the head of the trolley) so it's quite slow but it's enough to get the boat and tolley clear of the water so I can get the car and tow it the rest of the way. Beforehand I'd be able to wrestle it clear of the water using brute force but that's not possible with the leg the way it is now.

Talent · 09-10-2012 6:11pm

Sorry the photos don't appear in the post. Clicking on the links will bring them up. CAn't follow the way the site works. Apart from uploading them to the web first and then inputting the URL, doesn't seem to be a way I can manage to load photos direct from my computer.

Conchir · 09-10-2012 7:25pm

Cool system. What class of dinghy is it, if you don't mind me asking?

Talent · 10-10-2012 11:12am

Thanks for your kind comment. I would prefer a larger winch but there isn't the room. The boat is a Wayfarer dinghy, it's 16 foot overall and one of the heavier dinghies in general use.

fergal.b · 10-10-2012 11:45am

I wonder could you take off the handle and use a cordless drill to wind it in with a bit more speed

Or how about this

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

Talent · 10-10-2012 12:24pm

The drill idea and the worm reduction gear is ingenious - thanks for sharing. However the problem is that the trolley is often totally immersed in salt water when launching and recovering, especially when the tide is low, and that would spell curtains for the gearbox, and the drill. I had looked at a much more expensive arrrangement using a 12 V car battery and an electric motor driving a winch, all mounted on the trolley but the salt water problem remained.

I'm thinking of approaching the Commodore to see if we can't also come up with a solution built into the slipway. The National YC and some other clubs have electric mains powered winches at the top of their slipways but they are in situations where the public is totally excluded so that the risk of injury or electrocution is reduced. In Skerries we would have to mount any arrangement, even a more powerful hand operated winch, in a place to which the public has access so it would have to be very carefully designed so that unapproved users cannot get at it. Of course we'll also need the council's imprimateur to put anything on the slipway, or near it.

Any suggestions would be very welcome.

Conchir · 10-10-2012 1:04pm

I know Wayfarers well enough, there's one or two in my club. I wouldn't envy you pulling one up a slip singlehanded that's for sure! Without doubt the heaviest dinghy I've ever sailed.

I've been racking my brains trying to think of some improvements but it's not happening at the moment. Well done for what you've got so far though.

fergal.b · 10-10-2012 1:52pm

How about this http://www.powrlaunch.co.uk/
I normally launch on my own at the back slip in Skerries and one thing I hate is having now where to tie the boat on to while I park the car and trailer:(

scuby · 10-10-2012 5:37pm

what's the cost of that one Fergal ?

fergal.b · 10-10-2012 6:36pm

Well I was at the boat show once when I spotted one so over I went and bent down to have a look at how it connects to the trailer when all of a sudden I let a little fart, dying with embarrassment I looked around to see if any of the scantily clad sales women had heard me:mad: sure enough right behind there was this stunner who asked me if she could help me with anything, trying to hide my embarrassment I said yea how much is this, she answerer well if you farted just looking at it you are going to sh.t yourself when I tell you the price :eek: :pac: It turned out to be £1200 for the kit.:D

scuby · 10-10-2012 7:37pm

class.....

Talent · 10-10-2012 8:41pm

What is the traction mechanism - how does it drive the wheels. ARe there little rollers in touch with the main tyres?

Talent · 10-10-2012 8:51pm

Feargal - tying up at the slipway hear the club is a bit easier because there is very thick rope attached to one side of it. It's designed as a fender but people also use it to temporarily tie up. There's also two rings set into the surface of the slipway ramp and you can sometimes tie to one or the other if the tide is convenient.

One solution is to anchor close to the slipway, and have a light line tied to the crown of the anchor. Paddle (or use your engine) to get close enough to jump ashore, bringing the light line with you. Weigh the end of it down with a stone or rock on the slipway and go get the car and trailer. When the trailer is in place tug on the light line. If properly attached to the crown of the anchor, it will dislodge it and you can pull the anchor ashore with the boat following. Simples!

But I feel your pain. When I launched for a spin on SAturday while I attended to the trolley the boat sailed off and went to the North Beach before I caught it again. Embarrassing or what!

fergal.b · 10-10-2012 10:14pm

Talent wrote: »

What is the traction mechanism - how does it drive the wheels. ARe there little rollers in touch with the main tyres?

Yep they are rough rollers that are spring loaded against the tire when in use.

Daibheid · 12-10-2012 10:57pm

fergal.b wrote: »

How about this http://www.powrlaunch.co.uk/

Hugely entertaining on a busy slip as you can operate it with a wireless remote control but rots to hell after 3-4 years. I had to cut one off a neighbours RIB trailer a couple of years ago where it was just falling apart. I think they were really designed for caravans. Plus there's a bar running across underneath the trailer between the two drive units which is bad news on a rough slipway or road.

I'd reckon OK for freshwater use but not going to last at all in saltwater.

fergal.b · 13-10-2012 4:54pm

Another option http://www.donedeal.ie/for-sale/boatextras/4031023

Talent · 13-10-2012 9:07pm

It's tempting but still doesn't completely solve my problem. Once I get the car on the slipway my problem is solved because the I can tow it up and even if the boat and trailer is still in the water can use a rope to tow it clear, then chock it and attach the handle to the towhitch with a loop of cord. It's the first few feet that matters. That's why a system that is permanently built onto the slipway might be answer.

Singlanded Slipway Recovery of a boat

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