Inflatable Beach Rollers

[Matthew P]

Has anyone got useful experience of using inflatable beach rollers? 

See:

http://www.duckworksbbs.com/gear/beachroller/index.htm

www.youtube.com/watch?v=xt2GPkdTM0Q

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/121700783683?_trksid=p2055119.m1438.l2649&var=420702919807&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT

Matthew
BR20 Gladys

[Woodlark]

I purchased 3 similar tubes to move my 14ft RIB with 40hp outboard over a pebble beach, through a gravel car park and down a concrete slipway. Also useful to protect side of yacht when mooring next to irregular concrete pontoon.
Fairly tough although easy to puncture with small sharp stones (large beach pebbles no problem), but quick to repair  with conventional vinyl patches.

[Matthew P]

I purchased 3 similar tubes to move my 14ft RIB

Hi Ron - what make of roller did you buy and where from? Have you any pictures please? I'm interested because I sometimes launch my BR20 from a pebbly lake side beach that my trailer wheels sink into and makes my car wheels spin.  I invisage using a tow rope to remotely haul Gladys up the beach to firm ground.

Matthew
BR20 Gladys

[Woodlark]

They were from Windward Marine Limited via Force 4 chandlers web site and entitled Inflatable Boat Rollers.
This is the link with pictures
http://www.force4.co.uk/force-4-inflatable-boat-roller-400kgs-160x25cm.html?sqr=Inflatable%20Boat%20Roller&#.WBsg-mqLR0x

Regards,
Ron

[Graham W]

These Marines used rollers in their navigation of the Northwest passage http://duckworksmagazine.com/09/outings/norseboat/index.htm (third photo down).

As they're featured by Duckworks, I suspect that they used the more expensive Duckworks rollers.

[Peter Taylor]

Isn't that how they built Stonehenge?
Peter

[Graham W]

I'm wondering, with an eye on installing slot strips etc., whether the use of beach rollers would make the task of turning the boat on its side much easier.  Getting it off and back on the trailer and also cushioning it when it's on its side.

One of these days, I'm going on a third expedition to Bardsey Island, off the Llŷn Peninsula of North Wales.  The first was in a Norfolk Gypsy and the second by motor boat and staying in a cottage.  In a BayRaider, it would be fairly easy to pull the boat up on the long concrete slipway on beach rollers and then camp on board, if allowed.  I don't fancy anchoring there for any length of time.

[mark1]

Hello everyone, as buying boat accessories online is a great way to amuse yourself during lockdown I have been looking at inflatable boat rollers to help me escape the beach when the tide times aren't favorable.
The earlier links in this thread no longer open, I was wondering if anyone has been using inflatable rollers and has any helpful comments?
I've been looking at the ones from Force4, I think they are made by TREM.

[Graham W]

Mark,

My heavy duty Aeré rollers came from Duckworks in the USA https://duckworks.com/beach-rollers/.  At the time, they didn't seem to be available in Europe and this doesn't seem to have changed.

Are these the ones that you were looking for? https://www.marinesuperstore.com/tenders-accessories/tender-accessories/trem-inflatable-boat-roller

Weather permitting, I'm hard launching my boat on to them tomorrow, ready to take my braked trailer in for servicing in due course.

[mark1]

Thanks Graham, yeah that is the ones I was looking at. The Aere rollers look good (better?) quality but I don't see them for sale in UK.
Being able to take the boat off the trailer is another useful justifacation for buying them I hadn't thought of!
How many rollers do you use?

[Graham W]

Yes, the Aeré rollers are rated for about 50% more weight than the more expensive of the two TREM rollers and it looks like their seams and valves are more robust as well.  I've got three of them.  A decent 12V air pump that both inflates and deflates is essential.

If you have the space in your garden with the mast up, you should also be able to roll the boat on to its side on the rollers as well, by pulling it over with a string from the top of the mast.  Useful for centreboard slot-related activities.

[Bill Rollo]

Mark,

I have 2 of the Duckworks rollers - 3 would no doubt be better, but i've found 2 to be adequate if used in conjunction with fenders. Like Graham I have used them in the garden when servicing a trailer.

I've used them twice to pull the boat up a beach - more as a proof of concept/for fun than because it was strictly necessary. They are very effective on the level/downhill but going uphill on any gradient with a fully laden BR20 was hard work - even with a pulley system and a number of willing volunteers (the sport seems to appeal to onlookers but they do need to be there in the first place!).

There are a couple of techniques which would make life easier - emptying the water ballast would be one, and we won't even talk about slackening off on the kedge...and one could clearly lighten the boat still further if required but it would probably still be a bit of a sweat unless there was a serious reason - perhaps a wish to get the boat right out of the water on an exposed beach - for doing so.

But I still like the idea, and a more controlled experiment applying a few lessons learned would reveal more of the art of the possible - best to keep a few Vikings handy though,

Matthew can supply pictures - iPhotos is not making life easy.

Bill

[Matthew P]

 
Matthew

[mark1]

Graham, that's a good point about pulling the boat over on it's side, though I'd have to do it at the beach probably.
Thanks Bill and Matthew, it sounds like you've had fun with your rollers.., there are plenty practical reasons for having them but part of it has to be getting in touch with the inner viking!
I normally sail alone and occasionally with one other so your comments about difficulty of pulling the boat up a slope are interesting, what pulley ratio did you use? Is that a plywood bayraider? you also have a significant weight advantage over my GRP BRe if it is!

[Bill Rollo]

Mark

A pretty inefficient 4:1 using climbing kit and stretchy rope. 

Askari is epoxy only.

The big difference in weight would be losing 300 plus kgs of water.

Further experiment re