frankS Posted September 11, 2021 Share Posted September 11, 2021 Hi all I have been asked for some photos of my boat catch by a member here and thought others that may not have seen the way I do it may also like to see it. In my opinion it is the simplest way to launch a boat one up, even simpler with a driver in the car, launch and retrieve can be done within 1 minute with a bit of practice and timing ( 2up ) . When you arrive at the ramp the catch would be in the hold position and winch cable done up tight. First thing is to release the safety chain. Then with the boat sloping down the ramp ready to launch you release tension and remove winch rope and allow boat to slide back so the catch now sits in position and holds boat steady. You then take the spring from the swinging part of the clip , climb in boat start engine , and put in forward gear and nudge boat forward till you hear the swing part of the catch click, this means the catch has fallen down ( gravity ) and you simply back the boat off the trailer. OK that's launching, now for putting the boat back on the trailer. All you do is lift swing part of catch up , attach spring , and drive boat on till you hear distinct click , the boat will stay put, you switch motor off tilt up and climb out of boat , winch the boat up the next couple of inches and attach safety chain and boat is ready to tow. As you drive boat on, the hook part of the catch engages the swing part and slides down till it reaches the bottom of the hook then springs up to lock in position, you then back off the throttle and the boat will slide back 2 inches and catch and hold firm as in photo 2 . This photo has winch hook on. Disregard this. as is photo above. Some boats may need a bit of a shove IF it does not slide freely to engage catch. All you need to remember is spring ON for putting boat on and spring OFF for boat off. 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
frankS Posted September 11, 2021 Author Share Posted September 11, 2021 Back in 1997 was the first one of these I made and fitted. I am not saying I was the first to think of the idea of a boat catch but back then I didn't know of anyone making such a thing . The professional ones are probably far superior to my slap happy style of catch , but I am yet to see one that is as easy as mine to operate And way way cheaper . Frank 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rebel Posted September 12, 2021 Share Posted September 12, 2021 Well done. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fab1 Posted September 12, 2021 Share Posted September 12, 2021 Love your work mate. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dunc333 Posted September 12, 2021 Share Posted September 12, 2021 wish i had your skills frank Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
campr Posted September 13, 2021 Share Posted September 13, 2021 Well done. I have a bought version and love it but you have to be pretty precise with boat position for it to catch. Yours looks much more forgiving. Ron Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
frankS Posted September 13, 2021 Author Share Posted September 13, 2021 12 hours ago, campr said: Well done. I have a bought version and love it but you have to be pretty precise with boat position for it to catch. Yours looks much more forgiving. Ron I don't want to criticize the professional built ones out there but you are right, the boat trailer has to be set up exactly right with the boat coming up onto the post and catch within an inch or better for it to work. With mine it is much more forgiving as you have about 5 inches of cross bar for the hook to catch in and if the boat is reasonably straight it will catch. The only problem with mine is IF the boat refuses to slide that couple of inches back when you release the tension on the winch you need to manually push the boat back, but not many boats stick that well to a trailer when on the slope of a boat ramp. Frank Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Berleyguts Posted September 16, 2021 Share Posted September 16, 2021 Looks great, Frank. I’ve been thinking of getting a boat catch for a while. The only thing that’s held me back has been my doubts about how the hell I’d climb down over the bow to get to the car! 😂😂 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fab1 Posted September 16, 2021 Share Posted September 16, 2021 29 minutes ago, Berleyguts said: Looks great, Frank. I’ve been thinking of getting a boat catch for a while. The only thing that’s held me back has been my doubts about how the hell I’d climb down over the bow to get to the car! 😂😂 I'm still at the stage of thinking how will I fit through the windscreen. 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Berleyguts Posted September 16, 2021 Share Posted September 16, 2021 1 hour ago, Fab1 said: I'm still at the stage of thinking how will I fit through the windscreen. Why do you think I bought a console boat?😉😂 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fab1 Posted September 16, 2021 Share Posted September 16, 2021 7 hours ago, Berleyguts said: Why do you think I bought a console boat?😉😂 Smart thinking 99.😂 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Croydon Posted September 16, 2021 Share Posted September 16, 2021 I had Frank make me one of those a few years ago for my barcrusher. Single best improvement to the boat ever. Simple to use and worked a treat. Cheers.......... Dave 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dunc333 Posted September 17, 2021 Share Posted September 17, 2021 frank I know your retired i would luv to order one if your up for it just pm me the price if your keen i just luv the quality mate Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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