How to ....

Another "how to" question - How to move my boat!

In order to get down to the lake, I have to move my boat over a rocky shore line. Either 10 feet or 50 defending on how high/low the water is. Right now it's closer to 50' - which is the reason for the post.

I've tried 2x12's (now it's just too far) and vinyl lattice (that works, except for the stones in the latice holes and 50' is a long way).

It does not seem very well suited for cat-trax although I've never used them. The shore line is not flat and pretty bouldery - although I've moved everything but stones out of the way. I use a come-along to pull the boat back up the shoreline (which works great), but the friction of the 2x12's is heck on the hull bottoms.

I'm thinking of running a strip of the green outdoor carpeting down to the water. Anyone have experience on how hulls slide/rub on this carpeting or does anyone have any ideas how to glide my boat up and down with less friction on the hulls?

I can't leave the boat closer to the lake (wish I could), cause it's dam controlled, and occasionally they raise the level of the lake without notice, and when it goes up, it REALLY goes up.

Thanks,

Danno

If the rocks aren't too large then Cat Tracks would be the way to go. You want the inflated wheels not the Tiger Tracks. They will roll over just about anything. Beyond that a wooden ramp with trailer slides ( for motorboats ) is the only answer. I have the slides on my bass boat trailer and all you have to do is release the winch and she slides right off. In fact, must keep it in gear and running to hook the winch or she slides back into the water.

Unless the shore is pretty steep, trax is the way to go. If the rocks are sharp (like they might puncture a tire), you could make a smooth surface with the 2 x 12's spaced the width of the trax. You could even rig an electric winch to pull the boat back up with. I've seen some inexpensive units that could do this with out any trouble. Hook up a remote transmitter to turn on/off and you're set. Use 2 sets of trax and you don't even have to balance the boat!!! Hmmm, 2 guide rails, rollers, wood platform, proximity sensors, gear reducers, hey! I could get it to do everything but launch/sail... <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" />

Oops sorry, getting a little out of hand. But, it can be done!

Clayton