How to: pull a boat out of the water

**John Rotaru** · 10-04-2016,02:09 PM

Hey guys,

One of the reasons I switched from my Hyundai ix35 (2WD, 115CP) was I could NOT pull the boat out unless the ramp was perfectly dry and not too steep as well. Otherwise.. wheel spin and beg for help from others

So in preparation for the first boat launch (and retrieve), I was thinking whether I need to do any settings before pulling 1.7 tonne the boat out of the water.

I mean.. quattro, 190CP, all nice and well, should do it with no sweat. But being an automatic, is there any buttons/options that might help?

I was thinking:
- Switch it to sport mode
- Disable engine start/stop and auto-parking brake (I don't want to be left out of steam mid way)
- Put it into Manual mode, first gear
- ESP? I think, On, to benefit from anti-slip technology, but should I put it to Sport so it allows a bit of wheel spin?
- Is the launch control setting any good in this case ? (i.e. full power, left foot on brake, then let go). Or is a "gentle and slow" enough, and better for the whole drivetrain

Please give me your thoughts on this

**SG77** · 10-04-2016,06:22 PM

Agree with disable start/stop and auto handbrake on
The rest just leave in auto and take your foot off the brake.
Gently apply throttle to start moving then let idle take you up slowly and gently, when you're sure of grip apply more throttle as necessary.

**Alan02** · 10-04-2016,09:59 PM

Launch control would make an interesting video !

**L3nnox** · 10-04-2016,10:36 PM

Power!!!!!!!

Also you could buy a better trailer. A super roller coaster would allow you to potentially pull the boat up onto the trailer rather than have to be fully in the water and float it into position. Keeping your car higher up the slip.

Had these for both my Bayliner and my RIB

http://youtu.be/yl3LJaKeErM

**ninjabob** · 13-04-2016,08:36 AM

Get a jet boat - you can drive it out of the water on a trailer without the car

Much to the amazement of passersby.

**Eshrules** · 13-04-2016,08:43 AM

I'm afraid I can't impart any pearls of wisdom as I don't have a boat.

Interesting to see how many of our members do though.

As an off topic/aside, where do you tend to go boating? 'cos like I never really thought there'd be much demand for it in the UK.

The closest I've got to an exciting trip on a boat is touring round the north west in a canal boat.

**John Rotaru** · 13-04-2016,08:45 AM

I keep her dry stored, on her trailer, in a boatyard in Wareham (the opposite side of Poole harbour from Sandbanks). From Poole there's many things to do in a day trip, following the coast either east or west.

**fest0r** · 13-04-2016,10:14 AM

Originally Posted by Eshrules

As an off topic/aside, where do you tend to go boating? 'cos like I never really thought there'd be much demand for it in the UK.

Must report this off topic post to a moderator

Spoilt for choice up here: Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park | VisitScotland

Plenty of others too: List of lochs of Scotland - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

If you prefer excitement you could try water sports, but do not google it at work

I enjoy a bit of boat fishing and if you get homesick you will even find a “lake” up here with some world class trout fishing.

**Whippy53** · 13-04-2016,10:21 AM

Lol, we used to keep ours at parkstone bay, Turks lane Poole, Lovely area, handy for the IOW as well. I invested in a power winch which fitted on an adapted tow bar, when the slip was either too steep or treacherous we just parked as far up as we could, put some chocks under the wheels and pulled the boat up to the car. Useful when we went 'foreign'.