Beach launching question

Pineedles · 03-26-2010, 03:16 PM

Is it possible to launch a trailered boat from a beach? Or does the gradual incline prevent you from backing the truck to a depth for the boat to float and the truck to not be in danger of getting too "wet"? I am serious as I never have trailered a boat. Given the problem of finding enough launch areas, I have an idea that may help.

Steveo · 03-26-2010, 03:27 PM

Several factors at play.

- Is it deep enough close enough to the beach edge that you don't get wet releasing the boat.

- Do you have a place to secure boat when you pull trailer out.

- What are the conditions of the area under the trailer (and the truck) in the water. If it's muddy or rocky you get stuck.

- Probably the biggest factor is the traction on the beach, particularly when you take the boat out. You can spin in place and dig a nice hole for yourself. Even with 4 wheel drive it can happen.

Formula · 03-26-2010, 03:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pineedles

Is it possible to launch a trailered boat from a beach? Or does the gradual incline prevent you from backing the truck to a depth for the boat to float and the truck to not be in danger of getting too "wet"? I am serious as I never have trailered a boat. Given the problem of finding enough launch areas, I have an idea that may help.

Most beaches the sand in teh water is really soft and thus a heavy truck will sink down. I use a side by side 4-wheeler to launch my jetski and it is right up to the doors/exhaust pipes. It takes the 4-wheeler in 4 wheel lock to get out of the water with a load on the trailer.
Good Luck

John A. Birdsall · 03-26-2010, 03:57 PM

We have a place at the end of the driveway that would be great to launch a boat. However, we found out that once the boat is launched you need a toe vechicle to get the vechicle out of the sand. However down the beach about 50' there is no problem except for the cottages in the way. So it depends on several factors. If the beach (dry part) is hard, or just a little soft perhaps that will not be a problem. Also they type of boat launched will need different depts of water. so be careful. oh yeah, when you launch your boat, before you get out of your car set your car in park. We seen a caddie launch a little row boat with a motor and take off in the boat, When he came back his car was gone, and the boat ended up on the roof of the caddie. Caddies do not float when driven into lake W.

BroadHopper · 03-26-2010, 04:44 PM

I once had to pull a huge Ford duallie out of the sand. He was trying to launch the biggest pontoon boat I have seen on the lake. I was laughing as I pulled him out and his trailer with my little Dodge Dakota.

It was the guy's first boat and he ignored me when I ask if he has a boater's certificate. As soon as he got the boat started he roared off into the lake. Complete disregard of the 150' rule and cutting off boats that were travelling along the shore. He had NY Bow numbers.

NoBozo · 03-26-2010, 06:18 PM

I would NOT launch a boat from a Sand Beach....Salt or Fresh. I have a 20' boat on a single axle trailer...and Four Wheel Drive. When I go boating my interest is in the Boating part....not Damage Control.

NB

Pineedles · 03-26-2010, 06:23 PM

OK, thanks for the replies. Here is what I propose. One of you mechanically inclined guys or girls can do the rest as far as developing the product. A mountable "unicycle" type of powered wheel with the "engine" whether it be gas or electric, that attaches to the tow end of the trailer hitch that can be hand steered, once disconnected from the truck that lets you motor the boat trailer into the water as far as it needs to go, and then hand steer the trailer out of the beach area back up to where the truck is for re-attachment.

Think of it as an outboard motor, with a big tred wheel at the bottom, instead of a prop. The whole mechanism attaches to the end of the trailer hitch that provides the power and steering to take the boat and trailer the last few feet, or yards in order to launch the boat. Launch the boat and then bring the trailer back to the truck for re-attachment.

fatlazyless · 03-26-2010, 06:44 PM

...it all depends....if the boats not a 3000-lb monster and more like 1000-lbs...and the beach looks doable....something like tie a rope from the trailer to the front bumber and guide the trailer down across the beach...or something...just ask yourself....like what would Charlie the Mad Fisherman do?

I actually have one of those trailer dolly gizmos with the two wheels, and trailer ball, and a lawnmower handle.....that can be handy for steering leverage.....be happy to lend it out to you...

Pineedles · 03-26-2010, 07:03 PM

That's the spirit Larry! Except power the teh two wheel do higgy. Think buddy think. You could be the inventer of something really great!

jrc · 03-27-2010, 09:03 AM

http://parkit360.ca/

John A. Birdsall · 03-27-2010, 10:48 AM

Did you ever have to clean a beach, taking the debrie away in a wheel barrow? If the sand is soft, like it is at our place it takes two people to manuver the wheelbarrow and if you stop it sinks. and that is just with some leaves etc in it. You could perhaps put some 1/2 to 3/4 plywood down, but that is expensive.

robmac · 03-27-2010, 12:01 PM

I for one wouldn't recommend launching from a sandy beach, the tow out will be alot more expensive that paying to launch somewhere and parking. Even if I had to launch and have someone else drive toe tow rig back to where I wanted to leave it then you take the boat.

Pineedles · 03-27-2010, 01:50 PM

JRC,
I knew it. Everytime I think of an invention someone has already invented it.

Thanks for the link.

tis · 03-27-2010, 06:26 PM

We always put our small boat in on the beach. (18' Crownline)It makes big ruts in the beach which have to be raked which I don't like. We have done it with the truck, but it is tricky so we usually put it in with the tractor by hooking a chain to the tractor and pushing the front of the trailer with the bucket . It really does work.

winnidiver · 03-27-2010, 06:50 PM

Back when you could drive on the beach at Lee's Mills, I launched from the beach many times, with 2 wheel drive. However I always took the boat out on the ramp. Going in is easy, coming out a little harder.

03-26-2010, 03:16 PM	#1
Pineedles Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Moultonborough & CT Posts: 2,535 Thanks: 1,059 Thanked 652 Times in 363 Posts	Beach launching question Is it possible to launch a trailered boat from a beach? Or does the gradual incline prevent you from backing the truck to a depth for the boat to float and the truck to not be in danger of getting too "wet"? I am serious as I never have trailered a boat. Given the problem of finding enough launch areas, I have an idea that may help.

03-26-2010, 03:57 PM	#4
John A. Birdsall Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Norwich, CT Posts: 599 Thanks: 27 Thanked 51 Times in 35 Posts	beach launch We have a place at the end of the driveway that would be great to launch a boat. However, we found out that once the boat is launched you need a toe vechicle to get the vechicle out of the sand. However down the beach about 50' there is no problem except for the cottages in the way. So it depends on several factors. If the beach (dry part) is hard, or just a little soft perhaps that will not be a problem. Also they type of boat launched will need different depts of water. so be careful. oh yeah, when you launch your boat, before you get out of your car set your car in park. We seen a caddie launch a little row boat with a motor and take off in the boat, When he came back his car was gone, and the boat ended up on the roof of the caddie. Caddies do not float when driven into lake W.

03-26-2010, 04:44 PM	#5
BroadHopper Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Laconia NH Posts: 5,512 Thanks: 3,118 Thanked 1,090 Times in 784 Posts	Beach Launch I once had to pull a huge Ford duallie out of the sand. He was trying to launch the biggest pontoon boat I have seen on the lake. I was laughing as I pulled him out and his trailer with my little Dodge Dakota. It was the guy's first boat and he ignored me when I ask if he has a boater's certificate. As soon as he got the boat started he roared off into the lake. Complete disregard of the 150' rule and cutting off boats that were travelling along the shore. He had NY Bow numbers. __________________ Someday may never be an actual day.

03-26-2010, 06:23 PM	#7
Pineedles Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Moultonborough & CT Posts: 2,535 Thanks: 1,059 Thanked 652 Times in 363 Posts	Here's the solution OK, thanks for the replies. Here is what I propose. One of you mechanically inclined guys or girls can do the rest as far as developing the product. A mountable "unicycle" type of powered wheel with the "engine" whether it be gas or electric, that attaches to the tow end of the trailer hitch that can be hand steered, once disconnected from the truck that lets you motor the boat trailer into the water as far as it needs to go, and then hand steer the trailer out of the beach area back up to where the truck is for re-attachment. Think of it as an outboard motor, with a big tred wheel at the bottom, instead of a prop. The whole mechanism attaches to the end of the trailer hitch that provides the power and steering to take the boat and trailer the last few feet, or yards in order to launch the boat. Launch the boat and then bring the trailer back to the truck for re-attachment.

03-26-2010, 06:44 PM	#8
fatlazyless Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Posts: 8,528 Blog Entries: 1 Thanks: 296 Thanked 957 Times in 698 Posts	...it all depends....if the boats not a 3000-lb monster and more like 1000-lbs...and the beach looks doable....something like tie a rope from the trailer to the front bumber and guide the trailer down across the beach...or something...just ask yourself....like what would Charlie the Mad Fisherman do? I actually have one of those trailer dolly gizmos with the two wheels, and trailer ball, and a lawnmower handle.....that can be handy for steering leverage.....be happy to lend it out to you... __________________ ... down and out, liv'n that Walmart side of the lake!

03-26-2010, 03:27 PM	#2
Steveo Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Posts: 523 Thanks: 47 Thanked 123 Times in 63 Posts	Several factors at play. - Is it deep enough close enough to the beach edge that you don't get wet releasing the boat. - Do you have a place to secure boat when you pull trailer out. - What are the conditions of the area under the trailer (and the truck) in the water. If it's muddy or rocky you get stuck. - Probably the biggest factor is the traction on the beach, particularly when you take the boat out. You can spin in place and dig a nice hole for yourself. Even with 4 wheel drive it can happen.

03-26-2010, 06:18 PM	#6
NoBozo Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Portsmouth. RI Posts: 2,231 Thanks: 400 Thanked 460 Times in 308 Posts	I would NOT launch a boat from a Sand Beach....Salt or Fresh. I have a 20' boat on a single axle trailer...and Four Wheel Drive. When I go boating my interest is in the Boating part....not Damage Control. NB

03-26-2010, 07:03 PM	#9
Pineedles Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Moultonborough & CT Posts: 2,535 Thanks: 1,059 Thanked 652 Times in 363 Posts	That's the spirit Larry! Except power the teh two wheel do higgy. Think buddy think. You could be the inventer of something really great!

03-27-2010, 09:03 AM	#10
jrc Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: NH Posts: 2,689 Thanks: 33 Thanked 439 Times in 249 Posts	http://parkit360.ca/

The Following User Says Thank You to jrc For This Useful Post:
Pineedles (03-27-2010)

03-27-2010, 10:48 AM	#11
John A. Birdsall Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Norwich, CT Posts: 599 Thanks: 27 Thanked 51 Times in 35 Posts	sand-wheels don't mix Did you ever have to clean a beach, taking the debrie away in a wheel barrow? If the sand is soft, like it is at our place it takes two people to manuver the wheelbarrow and if you stop it sinks. and that is just with some leaves etc in it. You could perhaps put some 1/2 to 3/4 plywood down, but that is expensive.

03-27-2010, 12:01 PM	#12
robmac Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Nashua,Meredith Posts: 951 Thanks: 213 Thanked 106 Times in 81 Posts	I for one wouldn't recommend launching from a sandy beach, the tow out will be alot more expensive that paying to launch somewhere and parking. Even if I had to launch and have someone else drive toe tow rig back to where I wanted to leave it then you take the boat.

03-27-2010, 01:50 PM	#13
Pineedles Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Moultonborough & CT Posts: 2,535 Thanks: 1,059 Thanked 652 Times in 363 Posts	park it JRC, I knew it. Everytime I think of an invention someone has already invented it. Thanks for the link.

03-27-2010, 06:26 PM	#14
tis Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Posts: 6,411 Thanks: 719 Thanked 1,381 Times in 957 Posts	We always put our small boat in on the beach. (18' Crownline)It makes big ruts in the beach which have to be raked which I don't like. We have done it with the truck, but it is tricky so we usually put it in with the tractor by hooking a chain to the tractor and pushing the front of the trailer with the bucket . It really does work.

03-27-2010, 06:50 PM	#15
winnidiver Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Moultonborough Posts: 54 Blog Entries: 2 Thanks: 0 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	Been There... Back when you could drive on the beach at Lee's Mills, I launched from the beach many times, with 2 wheel drive. However I always took the boat out on the ramp. Going in is easy, coming out a little harder.