I have been holding back on this one but I’ll live with the embarrassment as this episode might save someone else form the situation I got into.

Decided to go out fishing with workmates in two boats and the decision was made by other boat owner to launch from Manly beach. Originally the plan was to launch from Gulf Harbour (which I wasn't entirely happy about, so the change in plans suited me for that reason).

I have only done one beach launch prior to these events. Although apprehensive about it, I was keen on getting more experience (I got it in spades!).

The vehicles in this story are 1996 Isuzu Wizard, Haines Signature 520C on single axle trailer.

Tide was still going out at time of launching. The Isuzu and trailer was duly backed down into the waters edge with just a bit of water over the rear two cross members of the trailer and we slid the boat off without any problem at that stage. Went to move Isuzu and trailer off the beach only to find the rear wheels of the Isuzu had sunk a bit into the sand whilst launching.

It took a couple of attempts to free Isuzu (in 4WD low mode) out of the hole now dug. Should have taken this as an omen, but conveniently put the retrieving to come later out of my head.

On the day it the wind was northwest about 15 knots when we launched. We took off to do our days fishing.

On returning to the beach, I started to think about the retrieval process and delegated jobs for the crew.  One would grab Isuzu & trailer and back into water while I just hovered off the beach.

This was duly done and said Isuzu & Trailer were backed into nice position and I drove the boat onto the trailer. Only then did the problems begin.....

Mate in Isuzu went to move and couldn’t budge. The tyres had sunk in wet sand to the hub centres. Realising we were in trouble (tide two hours away from high) small choppy waves in the mix we scrambled to get the boat off the trailer to lighten the load so the Isuzu and trailer could be freed.

Easier said than done!  About this time I had visions of being another "sucker" with a mug shot on the local rag..

Me mate took off and woke up a guy dozing in the car park who had a 4WD ute. Fortunately I had a bit of foresight a while ago and brought a 4WD recovery strap which I keep on the boat. Thinking I would help someone else (as I have in the past) never thinking I would be the poor sod needing help.

We duly attach said strap around the push bars of my vehicle  (I was sure I had a front hook, but I don't.) and around the towbar of the ute. In a nice straight line (herein lies the problem) power applied and my 4WD was going nowhere, just spinning his wheels and digging a hole for himself. The tide coming in a bit quicker and water was lapping the running boards, wheels buried over half way, I’m starting to think the worst at this point.

The guy in 4Wd freed himself and got off the beach, at this point a another good Samaritan  who had been watching took pity on us and said he’d get his 4WD (Prado) and get us out and this is when I started to learn some stuff.

First off he came onto beach and took up a position on about a 45 deg angle and instructed us to turn the steering wheels on an angle (which could not be done).

Said disconnect the trailer which we would recover next. Okay another problem here. I am paranoid that some cretin will try and steal my trailer while I'm away in the boat or just parked at home. I have a heavy duty chain plastic wrapped with a big padlock on it. Guess where it was sitting right at this point. Yep, buried in the sand and now sand had penetrated lock so getting the key in was an exercise in it's own right as it had to be done by feel alone since water was covering the hitching point by now and lapping the exhaust pipe too.

Managed to unlock the lock and pull the chain free, disconnected the hitch and remembered to pull the trailer light plug out, but in the confusion I forgot about the safety chain  (couldn’t see it and didn’t think about it). Said we were good to go and Prado took up strain and started to pull the Isuzu out and I see that trailer is moving too! I thought but need not worry as both came out and onto firmer sand.  yeeha!!

Our rescuer  in the Prado tells us where we went wrong and has seen it plenty of times. He says you need to back the trailer into the water on an angle that is in line with the wave direction (coming from the north west ) and have the towing vehicle on a angle 45deg plus to the trailer which makes it easier to break wheels out if the ground (sand) is soft.

Also trailer does not need to be in the tide so far, just enough so that the bow is not too far off the rear roller. Then use the winch on the trailer to haul it up. So, this was tried. Actually had to back in a little bit more when the winching was tried.

I was thankful that I had put another keel roller on the rear cross-member and also a plastic keel guard. Worth every cent it cost.

The tyres of the Isuzu were slowly sinking in the sand, but not as quick as before.

Now, that we had the boat on the trailer I drove off with no drama at all. Technique is the lesson learnt. But man, did I feel like  a Muppet for a while.

Dragged up into the carpark, managed to say thanks to the rescuer and shake his hand before he drove off.

At this point, sorted boat out for tow home and released the bung to find petrol pouring out!!

That is another story, which I have already posted about fuel filters.