Help at launch and recovery

[JimmyParticipant @jimmy59222]

[JimmyParticipant @jimmy59222]

Hi Folks,

My local boating pond is about three feet (1 metre) lower than the bank and it requires a bit of lifting by the mast for launch and retrieval.

I would like something to give me a bit of reach so that the launch and lift is a bit more dignified.

I could kneel but it might be a while til I go up again. I was thinking of some cradle effect with a handle but there might be something on the market already

Advice would be welcome

Jimmy

[John ShireParticipant @johnshire55937]

Hello Jimmy

Paul T is one of our forum members and he is currently developing a boat launcher that might just fit your needs. From what he has written so far it is for single handed operation that could be used by a person in a wheelchair and could launch models of upto 8ft in length.

Talk to Paul for further information

John

[John WalshParticipant @johnwalsh23400]

Hi Jimmy,

I have the same launching problem.. Made a launcher from spare ply and an old broom handle. – about 26" x 16" x 9". but it could easily be adapted to suit your boats.

john w.

[Dave MilbournParticipant @davemilbourn48782]

I've seen a similar stand made from 15mm copper plumbing pipe and solder-ring joints, with foam pipe insulation to protect the model. Not as swish as John's plywood version but it did the job.
DM

[Paul TParticipant @pault84577]

Dear All

Jimmy and I have been conversing by PM and I have asked for a photo of the launching location so that I can see if my design would be of any help.

Paul

[LARRY WHETTONParticipant @larrywhetton68737]

Hi jimmy,

iuse a converted mobile shoping bag frame with platform with boat cradle , as wheels so very mobile , and extendable handel, works on slopeing walls and shear, will try and post picture …

dont no where you live but have one you can have… cheers Larry..

[Peter FitnessParticipant @peterfitness34857]

I use launching straps on my bigger boats. They are made from upholstering straps, with some weights in strategic places so they don't float when retrieving a boat. Handles are from aluminium tubing wide enough so they keep the straps far enough apart to allow them to be slipped over the hull from each end. They are long enough so I can lower the boat into the water, which could be up to a metre lower than the bank, without undue bending. Unfortunately I am away from home for another month or I would take photos to illustrate what I mean.

Peter.

[Paul TParticipant @pault84577]

Dear All

One of Jimmys problems is the 1m drop from bank to water level, another problem (and one that I suffer from) is a difficulty in kneeling and rising from the kneeling position.

These problems effectively rule out a traditional cradle type of launching / recovery system due to overall length and weight.

In Jimmys case a cradle system would need to be 2m in height to permit working from the standing position. This length of cradle and moving position of mass would create a drastic changing in the centre of gravity when launching models which could catch Jimmy off guard and cause him to pitch forward into the water.

What is required is a free standing launcher / recovery system that can take the weight of the model and allows an operating cycle of 2m. i.e. the model can be placed on the launcher at chest height and the launcher carries the weight of the model down to the water.

To visualise my idea imagine a 2m length of ladder with a supporting frame so that it can free stand on the bank and then have a bogie / cradle that runs on the ladder and operated by a small hand winch to carry the boat down to the water. Then make the frame collapsible for ease of transport.

This design will allow the safe launching and recovery of large and heavy models with a collapsible system that will fit into the boot of a small car.

Paul

[Malcolm FraryParticipant @malcolmfrary95515]

A big drop like that rules out launching straps, but the cradle with added wheels has possibilities. One of my clubs members has just such a combination of a cradle and shopping bag trolley.

The only downside is the metal wheels – they take on water and only realease it slowly when the device is laid on one side, like when its on the way home. He drilled drain holes as near the join as he could, but the best solution would have been plastic wheels.

A long drop reqires a long handle to account for both the drop and not having to bend too much, which would need something clever to enable it to fit in a car for the trip to and from the pool.

[Paul TParticipant @pault84577]

[Gareth JonesParticipant @garethjones79649]

Paul,

What you describe is pretty well exactly what we have at Goole MBC except that ours is bolted to the pondside and not suitable for dismantling and fitting in a car boot. The uprights are made from heavy duty sliding door gear with the boat platform attached to the rollers on which the door would normally hang. It was the brainchild of Harold Sharp one of our club members, who is pictured below with one of his models.

Gareth

[Paul TParticipant @pault84577]

Gareth

They are very similar in operation but I didn't want the users to be stretching out over the water to load and unload their boats so I have angled my design backwards and the other obvious difference is that mine is collapsible.

Paul

[Gareth JonesParticipant @garethjones79649]

Paul,

Although the photo may not be clear our hoist is angled backwards as your proposal, although maybe not as much. Normally people load their boat on to the platform over the top of the rails so the hoist is between them and the water. The overall height of the rails was lowered by about 6 inches after the photos were taken to make this easier.

Regards

Gareth

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