Catching and Latching
Boating is meant to be fun…. And to a large extent convenience makes the world of difference. An emerging influence is also that many boaties are finding themselves boating on their own. And this presents challenges – not the least of which occur at the boat ramp.
As a trailer manufacturer we are totally focused on providing the best boating experience – knowing full well from our own experience that boating can have its frustrations… but trailer frustrations add another dimension!
Many questions are put to us on what options exist for self-latching and catching boats as part of the drive-on/ drive-off experience. Therefore, we have presented a few options below, in approx. order of cost:
Boat Catch
This device is beautifully engineered in stainless steel and has a very positive bolting action. It operates for both catch and release by powering up against the winch post and has a reasonably wide throat for engagement under challenging conditions. It’s expensive but reliable. Fitting is relatively easy on account of the bracketry included in the kit.
Launch and Retrieve
The L&R is a popular choice based on the number of boats we see with this, among our SA clients. It relies on a spring-loaded hook that is manually set for release action prior to launching and then again prior to retrieval. It’s neat, made of stainless steel, and functional. However it relies on optimum angles and clearances being achieved – especially between the hook and clasp. It therefore has the disadvantage that launching or retrieving in swell, cross-wind, or other conditions that force a change in boat angle, can either disengage the hook at a critical time… or make it difficult to engage as part of drive-on activity.
Bar Catch / Quintrex Catch & Release
The Bar-catch and Quintrex Catch are very similar devices. From what we hear they are quite effective too. The operation is simple and reliable with a lever mounted in a simple swivel arrangement on the winch bracket. Operation is by spring loading the catch (using an occy strap or similar) for catching whereas for releasing, the catch simply drops under gravity.
RecoverEZY
This is a very simple device consisting of a flexible coated wire strap and a strategically designed hook. As opposed to the Bar/Quintrex Catch… this requires a weight or spring to cause it to drop during release while for catching it simply flips up to catch. It’s inexpensive and very reliable… so a good choice for many people.
A simple rope
One of the most reliable, safest, and sensible methods to secure a boat on one’s own during launch and retrieve…is by using a simple rope. In the picture below… our client John, who fishes on his own every day… simply ties his boat to the trailer prior to releasing the winch rope and safety chain. When he’s in the boat and ready to go he simply releases the rope from the cleat, lets it go, allowing the boat to slide easily into the water. On retrieval he drives his boat onto the trailer to a marked point approx 100mm from the winch post, simply recovers the rope from the trailer via a boat hook for a quick tie to the cleat. The boat is immediately secure and can be shut down and disembarked. The winch area has to be visited to engage the safety chain and this is also when the last 100mm of travel up to the winch post can be completed – before safely and securely driving out the water.
Some considerations we think are important in the use of Latching and Catching devices – especially when doing so on ones own:
– There is no visual of the winch post when driving onto a trailer. Therefore using a device that is unseen is like parking a car by braille… not a good idea!
– Winch posts were never designed as boat stoppers.. therefore using a device that requires you to strike the winch post for it to operate…seems at odds with everything else you might be doing to care for your boat and trailer
– Swell and choppy conditions cause boats to react very unpredictably… so especially in challenging conditions… you’d want to be as much in control as possible
The only device above that we think allows the skipper to be in full control, visually and otherwise) and to be assured that the boat is properly fastened before disembarking… is the simple rope concept described above. It probably costs $15 and works every time!
At Spitfire Boat trailers we aim for simplicity, operational convenience, and reliability. Therefore, unless you absolutely need one of the mechanical devices illustrated above.. we advocate for use of a simple rope…as used successfully and safely by someone who probably uses their boat on their own more than most – our client John.
The choice is yours
Happy Boating
Andrew van Ryneveld
Spitfire Aluminium Boat Trailers