which boat /motor

[harrison]

I'm not being negative, i'm just concerened you may buy something you shortly find you can't handle launching/recovery on your own.

Good point Martin.

However, these are all small ribs and assumed kept, transported and launched on a road trailer. Regardless of size will need to be launched with a vehicle as just the weight of trailer alone will generally proclude a hand launch.

Manhandling singlehandedly any of these very lightweight rigs off a roller trailer should be no problem. I consider my rib lightweight and can easily launch solo even though boat only weighs around 600kg.

[chris moody]

My advice would be to practice launch and recovery the first few times with a helper present until you get the technique perfected for doing it singlehanded.

[harrison]

In my experience it’s much easier, quicker and certainly far less strenuous launching my rib than assembling and hauling around a medium size sib and motor.

However, the downside to ribbing, or any trailered boat (incl. sibs on trailers), is the on road towing, launch fee costs and limited launch sites/slipways.

Other than that...far easier than this sibbing lark!

[kaman]

As far as Ribs go you won't get much easier to launch single handed than a 4.2m Ocean Runner.
It's by no means heavy at just over 100kg plus engine it will be tipping the scales around 250kg.
On a well set up roller trailer it will be a breeze to launch and retrieve single handed.
As mentioned your tow vehicle should be doing all the heavy stuff.
My only concern would be where your going to launch and whether your tow vehicle is suitable ie will you need a 4x4 to get it in and out?

[sparerib]

point taken martin ,does anybody else launch and retrieve such a craft solo

Yep my 340 with all its gubbins on and an aux ob is a doddle to launch recover solo, assuming you have a decent roller trailer....trailer wheels (just in) hold the bow painter, take the ratchet off the winch and push.....

It is obviously easier to have some one else to hold/help etc but its not a problem.....a little trickier if the weather is up, but the boat will pretty much self centre on the trailer on recovery...if its a little off I can give it a good shove to centre

[PeterM]

Late to the party as ever....

I had a 4m Avon rib with a 30hp 2 stroke Yamaha... remotes etc and although light seats etc still got me to 24knts....

I always launch single handed.. and with a good set up and a good plan it's always been ok so far... infact it only ever gets hard when others try and help. No fault of theirs but these have been the only times the winch hasn't been connected etc.

If you can get the chance to try out some options and differing boats then it's worth the time invested and the odd bacon sarnie or coffee as thanks.

I'll try and find a pic of my light Avon

[chris moody]

A long rope can be used to keep the car off the algae covered lower parts of the slipway. I've used a 30 metre rope to launch on trickier slipways like Warsash at high water. And it can be done with a long rope single handed but you do have to think it through and do everything in a particular order or it can go very very wrong.

As far as Ribs go you won't get much easier to launch single handed than a 4.2m Ocean Runner.
It's by no means heavy at just over 100kg plus engine it will be tipping the scales around 250kg.
On a well set up roller trailer it will be a breeze to launch and retrieve single handed.
As mentioned your tow vehicle should be doing all the heavy stuff.
My only concern would be where your going to launch and whether your tow vehicle is suitable ie will you need a 4x4 to get it in and out?

[PeterM]

This was her.. a bit of wake jumping off a bigger rib... who needed 500hp!

[sonny1]

you have all been brilliant ,thanks, van is getting booked in for a tow bar, so defo a 420 just wavering on could i shake my purse harder and stretch to a 40

[PeterM]

You may find the balance is all over the place with a 40... short boats are very sensitive to fore and aft balance and a 40 without a console etc to add weight forward could be bad combo...

I have a yam 50 on a 4 m rib and it was very very very unbalanced until I changed a few things and added lifting fins.