Leaving a ply boat in the water??

larby · 20-01-2009, 08:23 PM

Hi again,

Ok, so I've found out today that contrary to previous thoughts it's going to be basically impossible for me to keep my cat out of the water on a trailer.
There's no dry berthing over here and I can't keep it in a boatyard after all as she exceeds the towing limits over here in every way!

Looks like my only option is to keep her in a marina, it's not ideal, but i don't think i've got a choice!

Basically I'm wondering what my options are for protecting her to leave her in the water. Will it be enough to put on a few layers of epoxy followed by a couple of layers of antifoul? Even that seems to be amazingly expensive to do?

For those who don't know,it's a 26ft ply cat, ex 'hospitality inns'.

Cheers, James

gazza · 20-01-2009, 08:28 PM

Maybe an idea?

http://www.airberth.com/

But make your own on this idea, think Nick (swipewipes) uses a system similar.

gaZ

larby · 20-01-2009, 10:25 PM

Well i did think about going for something like that... I don't think the marina over here is too keen on them, but i'm sure i could find a way!

I was trying to think of a way to make something that would be contained (at least mainly) in the tunnel that would lift her out. I must admit i'd much rather she isn't sat in the water all the time but i don't want to just give up on the project due to lack of storage either!

Cheers for the suggestion gaz

James

sinkunit0 · 20-01-2009, 10:44 PM

if its good quality marine play with all the edges sealed . there should not be a problem. or if you,re that worried you could epoxy sheath the undersides

larby · 20-01-2009, 10:50 PM

I can only imagine she's built from very high grade marine ply, considering she was built in 1990, the bottom is still immaculate!
I just hear so many horror stories about wooden boats getting heavy, i want to make sure i do all i can within reason and cost to protect her.

James

Nos4r2 · 20-01-2009, 11:26 PM

Versadock? It's gotta be cheaper and easier than an airberth.

TomLinley · 20-01-2009, 11:30 PM

I have space near st martin if you need dry land space but you will still have the towing problems...

larby · 20-01-2009, 11:32 PM

Anyone got an idea of a cost for the versadock/jetdock system? Seems like a good idea...

James

larby · 20-01-2009, 11:57 PM

Woah! Just found out it'd be about £5000 for my cat with the versadock/jetdock system! Crazy!!

larby · 20-01-2009, 11:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TomLinley

I have space near st martin if you need dry land space but you will still have the towing problems...

Thanks for the offer Tom, I've got a great place at the bridge but it's the towing that's the issue.

Cheers, James

sinkunit0 · 21-01-2009, 09:48 PM

make a tilting trailer

Matt · 21-01-2009, 09:54 PM

I think it'd be a HUGE mistake to leave in the water.

larby · 21-01-2009, 10:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sinkunit0

make a tilting trailer

The width is only a fraction of the issue, she'd also be 5ft over length with just a landrover 90 towing, and would be way over weight for that vehicle. There's just no way the authorities over here will allow it without an escort unfortunately.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Matt

I think it'd be a HUGE mistake to leave in the water.

Why is it that you think that? I've now found out that she's fully sheathed with epoxy, so i can't see it being too much of an issue once she's treated with a good epoxy primer and antifoul? It's not ideal by any means, but it is the only way other than selling her.

Cheers, James

andy21 · 21-01-2009, 10:21 PM

stick her down rocquaine, at least there it will be dry half of the time :-D

Out of interest, what is the maximum length for towing? I know theres a 750kg limit on weight. I was planning on keeping mine in my friends yard then just "nipping" accross the road into st sampsons marina...

larby · 21-01-2009, 10:29 PM

Max length over here is 40ft over all, inc tow vehicle. The vehicle weight has to exceed the weight of the towed object, and anything over 750kg (which yours will be) requires a category 'E' licence. That requires a 'double' test which is apparently a bit of a pig!
I'd imagine you'd need at least a landy to tow yours legally, length you should be fine on, width definately (limit is 7' 6+3/4"), but you'll need that category 'E' or you face going off the roads for no licence.

Cheers, James

Andy B · 21-01-2009, 10:33 PM

http://www.ntta.co.uk/law/

Maximum Trailer Dimensions

Towing vehicle up to 3500kg GVW
Length (excluding the coupling and drawbar) 7.0 m
Width Maximum 2.3 m

Towing vehicle over 3500kg GVW
Length (excluding the coupling and drawbar) 12 m (min 4 wheels)
Width Maximum 2.55 m
Length of towing vehicle and trailer combined 18 m
Maximum overhang of load from rear of trailer 3.05 m

larby · 21-01-2009, 10:40 PM

All totally different over here though, we don't follow british law.

In sark (another part of the baliwick of gsy) it's still legal to beat your wife with a stick less than 6" long and 1" across on a sunday, or something like that! But hey, at least they're not feudal any more!

Andy B · 21-01-2009, 10:48 PM

is that why there's a shortage of tree's on sark?

larby · 22-01-2009, 08:53 AM

Unless they've found a way to make alchohol from them, that must be it!!

Only joking though, love the place really!

James

andy21 · 22-01-2009, 02:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by larby

Max length over here is 40ft over all, inc tow vehicle. The vehicle weight has to exceed the weight of the towed object, and anything over 750kg (which yours will be) requires a category 'E' licence. That requires a 'double' test which is apparently a bit of a pig!
I'd imagine you'd need at least a landy to tow yours legally, length you should be fine on, width definately (limit is 7' 6+3/4"), but you'll need that category 'E' or you face going off the roads for no licence.

Cheers, James

James,

An interesting bit of information from the States of GSY website

"Any motor vehicle, other than one falling within category A, with a maximum authorised mass not exceeding 3,500 kilograms and having not more than 8 seats in addition to the driver’s seat including such a vehicle drawing a trailer having a maximum authorised mass which does not exceed 750 kilograms

OR

A combination of a motor vehicle in category B and a trailer, where the maximum authorised mass of the combination does not exceed 3,500 kilograms and the maximum authorised mass of the trailer does not exceed the unladen mass of the motor vehicle."

So in theory, i just need to get a car thats heavier then then boat, but together they weigh less then 3.5 ton. (might have to do some simultaneous equations)

Anyone know what a ring 21 will weigh in at?? The 200opti is 225kg i think...