Beach Launching Ingenuity

When it comes to launching boats in difficult conditions, Kiwis have come up with some innovative machines and techniques to ensure the job is done efficiently and safely.

Over the years we have launched boats up to 7.5 metres off the sand at Waipu Cove and despite this being a relatively benign spot to deploy and retrieve a boat, it was not without its challenges at times.

My first introduction to the ‘heavyweights of beach launching’ came doing a Charter Connection feature on a vessel operating out of Riversdale on the Wairarapa coastline.

A large Caterpillar bulldozer was used to launch and retrieve a twin jet-powered 34ft Cougar Cat. According to the skipper Brett Liddington the conditions were ‘not bad’ for launching with a metre plus swell rolling in through the rocks. Fishing buddy Richard Bathurst – veteran of many Waipu Cove beach launchings – and I shared worried glances. We both thought that ‘if we were back at the Cove, the boat would have been staying on the trailer or towed to the nearby Marsden Cove facilities with its three-lane concrete ramp and floating marina finger!’

Well-weathered tractors are the classic Kiwi beach launching vehicle.

With lifejackets on, we clambered aboard along with the skipper, our deckie firing up the ‘dozer and backing us towards the gap in the rocks. Upon launching the skipper kept the boat skilfully positioned, bow into the beach. The next bit required precise timing. In the lull between the swells Brent drove at the beach, hooking reverse as soon as the crewman had one foot on the boarding ladder. He then did a tight 180-degree turn and we headed out to sea, the crewman having joined us in the wheelhouse.

Both assured us that conditions were ‘nothing’, but we could not help but be impressed with the skills on display – ‘we do it every day’ – they said, no doubt inwardly congratulating themselves on a job well done with the fishing ‘press’ on board.

After a successful day the reverse happened, the crewman being put on the beach without even suffering a bootful of water. The ‘trailer’ was backed into the tide and the boat driven on as expertly as it was launched. 

Since then I have come across many interesting methods and machines to effect successful beach launchings and retrieves, the latest coming not far up the road from the first encounter, this time at Castlepoint.

Launching off the beach can open up some great angling grounds.

When doing a feature on the Loader family’s Wairarapa angling exploits, I came across the Sweat Leaf, a tractor modified to launch the Loader’s crayfishing/charter vessel the Ventura. Nick Loader explains the history of the rig and its Tardis-like tow vehicle:

“The Ventura was built in 2004 as a purpose-built crayfishing boat and the late Dean Hatchard was the original owner of the vessel. Being in a wheelchair in later years, Dean had the Ventura specifically designed to suit his accessibility requirements, such that he was able to self-sufficiently operate all equipment by winching himself to the decks and from there access the wheelhouse. 

“The tractor was also designed by Dean with a focus on accessibility and was built by himself and a couple of other local handymen. The Sweat Leaf is a custom build of mixed machinery and is powered by a 350 Chevvy V8 engine, with the engine power transferred through a tractor gearbox and down to the dual tractor axle via a chain drive. It is the chain drive that allows the engine and operating platform to sit above the breakers during launch and retrieval. 

“Strategically placed alloy panels protect the driver from the weather and the bigger swells. It is not pretty, but it is practical. 

“The Ventura is iconic to Castlepoint and was operated by Dean as a successful crayboat and charter vessel. I recently purchased both boat and tractor and it continues to operate as a charter vessel at Castlepoint.”

- By Grant Dixon