Sticking a boat: what does it mean and how to do it right?

term "slip the boat" It's a common question for beginners to question. launching the boat to the water or its ashore with the help of a special device - a slipThe process seems simple, but requires knowledge of safety, boat design and equipment operating rules, and errors can cause damage to the hull, injury or even loss of the vessel.

Many people confuse sticking with flounder (e.g., sand draught) or use of boatwayHowever, a slip is a mechanized system that can be both stationary (at yacht clubs) and mobile (portable roller carts). In this article, we will discuss what types of slips are available, how to stick boats of different materials (PVC, aluminum, fiberglass) and what types of slips are used. fault-break Novice's allowed.

1. What is a slip and why is it needed?

Slipper (from English) slipway - "trips") is a sloped platform with guide rails or rollers, on which the boat moves between the water and the shore.

• 🚤 Safe descent/ascent without the risk of damage to the bottom (unlike the roll on stones or sand).
• 🔧 Vessel maintenance: on the shore it is easier to clean the hull, repair or prepare the boat for the winter.
• ⚡ Saving timeMechanized slip allows you to lower the boat in 2-3 minutes (versus 10-15 minutes of manual work).
• 📏 Universality: suitable for boats weighing from 50 kg (inflatable PVC) to 5+ tons (boats and yachts).

Slips are divided into two types:

1. Fixed-stay They are installed on berths, marinas or on specialized descent sites, often equipped with winches or hydraulic lifts.
2. Mobile. - portable carts with wheels or rollers (for example, Trailex or Roller CoasterSuitable for private use on wild beaches.

⚠️ Attention: Don't confuse slip with slip. boat-stairway The latter is only for landing people, not for moving the boat!

2. Which boats can be stuck together?

In theory, you can stick any vessel, but there are nuances depending on the material of the hull and weight.

Type of boat	Weight (example)	Features of adhesion	Recommended slip
PVC Boats	20–100 kg	The soft bottom requires rubber rollers. You can't just roll on concrete!	Mobile cart with wide rollers
Aluminum boats	50-300 kg	Strong body, but sharp edges can damage rollers, you need guides with sides.	Stationary slip or metal roller cart
Fiberglass boats	300 kg-2 t	Heavy boats require winches. The bottom is sensitive to impact.	Stationary slip with hydraulics
Inflatable boats (RIB)	150-500 kg	It's a combination of rigid hulls and cylinders, it needs broad supports.	Slip with adjustable guide width

Critical error: an attempt to stick a PVC boat onto a concrete slip without rollers leads to punctures of the bottom in 1-2 descents!

For boats weighing more than 500 kg, it is mandatory to use winch or electric-lifterManual lifting of such vessels can cause back injuries and equipment breakdown.

3. Step-by-step instruction: how to stick the boat together correctly

The algorithm of actions depends on the type of slip, but the general scheme looks like this:

Launch:

1. Secure the boat. on a trolley or guide slip with the help of slings.
2. Smoothly lower. the boat in an inclined plane, controlling the speed with a winch or a brake of the trolley.
3. Unhook the slings. only when the hull is fully in the water (deepness of at least 0.5 m for PVC and 1 m for boats).

Ashore:

1. Get the boat. The first sliding at the minimum speed (the engine is silenced!).
2. Secure the slings. For the ears on the nose and stern (for PVC - for the D-ring).
3. Lift the boat up. Winch or hand, avoiding jerks.

⚠️ Attention: If the boat starts to slip off the rollers as it rises, stop the process immediately! This is a sign of overload or brake failure.

What to do if the boat is stuck on a slip?

If the boat is not moving on rollers, check:

The correctness of the slings (are they skewed?).

- Status of rollers (possibly jammed bearing).

- The angle of the slip (should be 15-20° for light boats and 10-15° for heavy ones).

If the problem is not resolved, use a hand winch or call for help.

4. Sticking equipment: which to choose?

The choice of equipment depends on the type of boat and the frequency of use.

• 🛠️ Roller carts (for example, Trailex, Seachoice) - suitable for PVC and small aluminum boats, priced from 15,000 to 50,000 RUB.
• 🏗️ Fixed slips (for example, Marine Master) - installed on the berths. Cost: from 200 000 RUB.
• ⚙️ Swans (manual or electric) - mandatory for boats heavier than 300 kg. Comeup, Warn.
• 🔗 Slings and anchorages must be made of stainless steel or polyester (for example, Ronstan).

For PVC boats it is critical to use carts with rubber-roller (for example, Seachoice 72340Metal rollers with plastic coatings are suitable for aluminum boats.

⚠️ Attention: Cheap Chinese winches often break when the load is close to maximum. For boats weighing 500+ kg, take equipment with a safety margin of 1.5-2 times.

5. Typical mistakes in sticking together and how to avoid them

Even experienced water-engineers sometimes make mistakes that lead to breakdowns or injuries.

• 🚫 Ignoring the angle of inclination Too steep descent (more than 20°) leads to uncontrolled rolling of the boat.
• 🚫 Improper sling attachment If you hook only the nose, the food can slip off the rollers.
• 🚫 Clutching on the wave Even a small ripple can knock a boat off the guides.
• 🚫 Use of worn rollers Rusty or deformed parts tear PVC and scratch aluminum.

Example of the case: boat owner Honda BF50 He tried to launch it without fixing the slings, and as a result, the boat slipped off the trolley, the engine hit the concrete, and had to change the lower unit (repair cost 45,000 ).

To avoid problems:

1. Always check. roller-state before use.
2. Don't stick the boat together. single-handedly At least two people must control the process.
3. For heavy boats, use them. hydraulic brakes on the slip.

Clutching in different conditions: beach, pier, winter

Sticking conditions have a big impact on safety, and let's look at three scenarios.

🏖️ Beach (sand, pebbles)

Mobile carts are indispensable here, but there are nuances:

• Sand is clogged in rollers - after use, wash them with fresh water.
• The pebbles can damage the bottom - use rug-mat under the boat.

🚢 Pierce (concrete, metal)

Stationary slips on the piers are usually equipped with winches, but:

• Check it out. slip-hole - You can run aground at low tide.
• Avoid sticking together when you are stuck sidewind (boat demolition risk).

❄️ Winter period

Clutching on ice or in cold weather requires special care:

• The squirrels can get iced - use it frosting.
• PVC becomes fragile in the cold - do not stick at temperatures below -10 ° C.

⚠️ Attention: If the slip is covered with ice, it is strictly forbidden to use electric winches - the risk of electric shock when in contact with water!

7. Alternatives to clumping: when can you do without it?

A slip is not the only way to get the boat out on the water, but in some cases, you can do it by using alternative methods:

• 💪 Manual descent - Suitable for light PVC boats (up to 50 kg), two people and a gentle coast.
• 🚗 trailer - if you have one. boat-trailerYou can enter the water by car (deepness not more than 0.5 m!).
• 🏗️ Crane systems - on some marinas there are cranes for lifting boats (cost: from 1000 RUB per descent).

However, each method has limitations:

Method	Pluses	Cons
Manual descent	Does not require equipment	Risk of damage to the bottom, physically difficult
Trailer	Fast and convenient	You need a car, not all beaches allow you to drive.
crane	Safe for heavy boats	Expensive, not available everywhere

A slip is the best solution if you regularly lower the boat and appreciate its safety.

Frequently asked questions

Can I stick a PVC boat without a cart?

Technically possible, but highly discouraged: a drag on sand or pebbles quickly wears off the bottom, and on concrete, the risk of puncture is almost 100%. rug Or plywood sheets under the boat.

What angle of sloping is considered safe?

Optimal angle:

• 15-20° - for boats weighing up to 300 kg;
• 10-15 ° - for boats 300 kg-2 tons;
• 5-10° - for boats heavier than 2 tons

Exceeding these values leads to uncontrolled rolling.

Do I need to stick the boat together after each trip?

If the boat is floating in a protected bay, it can be left on the water, but it's recommended that you stick it together.

• Before long downtime (more than 2 weeks);
• When a storm is threatened;
• For maintenance.

PVC boats are better to stick together more often - salt water and UV rays reduce the life of the material.

Which winch to choose for a boat weighing 800 kg?

This load will be suitable for:

• Comeup DV-9000S (Manual, carrying capacity of 900 kg, price of 25 000 RUB);
• Warn 885000 (electric, 1,100 kg, ~60,000 ).).

Pay attention to the length of the cable - for deep slips, you need at least 10 m.

What if the boat slipped off the slip and fell?

Algorithm of action:

1. Evaluate damage to the body (especially the lower unit motor and transom).
2. If the boat is afloat, carefully tow it to the shore.
3. Check the sealing of the compartments (for boats).
4. In case of serious damage (cracks, dents), do not operate the vessel until repair.

Important: even if there are no visible damage, after falling, check the tightness of PVC tubes with soap solution.