Boat Parts Boatcatch Boat Retrieval System

Boatcatch was invented by Greg Staples, a well-known commercial abalone diver and former mechanical engineer. He needed a device which would allow for the safe, fast, drive-off/drive on launch and retrieval of his three tonne abalone boat all by himself. Utilising 30 years of industry experience, he set about solving this problem.

Convenience and speed was important as he had to launch and retrieve his boat hundreds of times each year all by himself, in all sorts of severe conditions ranging from surf beaches to tidal ramps.

“Before Boatcatch, people had to launch and retrieve just as it was done over 50 years ago”, says Greg. “Boatcatch modernizes this task and allows your boat to be taken off or locked on in seconds. No one needs to stand on a slippery boat ramp or risk having a hand or finger jammed as the boat moves on the trailer”.

As they say, the rest is history, and Boatcatch was born. Now Boatcatch is used all over the world inspiring a cult following amongst boat owners in ‘the know’.

Fitting the Boatcatch

Most handymen who own a drill and some basic spanners can fit the Boatcatch. The device is clamped simply and directly to the trailer bow post with ‘u’ bolts and nuts. The most technical job is cutting the metal universal mounting kit ‘tube’ to length with a hand saw or similar tool.

The revolutionary launch and retrieval system

Made of 100% marine grade stainless steel(316). This is an incredibly strong and robust product that comes with a lifetime warranty. With only three moving parts, it requires little maintenance and being highly polished, Boatcatch is a very attractive accessory to any traller boat.

Operating Boatcatch

One or two people can be used to launch and retrieve with a Boatcatch. The two person method chosen by most operators is where you have an operator for the boat and a driver the car and trailer. When well practiced this makes for a speedy ramp work.

Fits almost any boat & trailer

Whether you’ve got a small ‘alloy’ boat, a large fiberglass boat or even a cat, you can cut the supplied mounting arm and position the Boatcatch to suit just about any boat and trailer combination!

Fast retrieval

Position the trailer in the water and when ready, drive your boat in. The Boatcatch has a heavy duty pin that locates inside the eye automatically when retrieving and secures the boat upon the trailer. It’s incredibly strong so you can easily drive your vehicle to the parking lot before having to secure the winch cable.

Boatcatch won’t break

The device comes in two sizes of the same design. The small size may be fitted to boats under 6 meters (20ft)long. The large unit will accommodate a boat 6 metres (20ft) or over in length, but having a maximum weight of 8 tonne (16,000lb). Note, if your boat is between 5 and 8 tonne (10,000 and 16,000lb) please contact the manufacturer about suitable/heavy mounting brackets.

Easy launch

Once fitted it’s ready to use. When about to launch, you simply prepare by releasing the winch cable from your boat in the parking lot. Afterwhich, reverse the trailer into the water. Boatcatch allows you to move around until you choose to remotely pull the release leaver and calmly motor off.

Specifications

Small

• Generally used for 4 – 5.9m boats
• Standard opening and pin size
• Suits standard sized trailer boats
• This purchase is a kit that includes mounts, bolts and other hardware

Large

• Generally used for 6-12m boats
• Wider opening for flexible retrieval alignments
• Suits heavier boats and larger trailers
• This purchase is a kit that includes mounts, bolts and other hardware

The large coupling is best used on boat with an on water weight of 8 tonne maximum (couplings may be used on applications over this weight at the owners own discretion and risk, or talk to us and we can explain).

To relate this to approximate boat lengths; large couplings may be fitted to vessels ranging from 6 metres and up to those near 10 metres. If your boat is under this size then you may want to look at using the small Boatcatch.