BOATCATCH “BOAT RETRIEVAL SYSTEM” HISTORY
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, 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 modernises 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’.
Boatcatch has helped drive the advancement in “drive off / drive on” high quality boat trailers. Remember when you used to wait at the boat ramp while some guy walked his boat off or onto his trailer? Or the guy that attached the winch took 5 minutes as he dragged it up? Boatcatch came along and suddenly there was a huge demand for better trailers. Everyone wanted a Boatcatch and everyone wanted to drive on. Look around the ramp car park now. The majority of trailers have excellent Vee shaped beds that match the Vee shape of your hull and steer your boat central as you drive forward.
Boat Retrieval System
Gallery of fit ups
If you would like to view a collection of photographs that show Boatcatch installed on numerous types of trailers and boats made from fibreglass to aluminium also cats and jet skis, just visit the gallery page.
The revolutionary launch and retrieval system
Boatcatch™ was invented and designed by Australian abalone diver Greg Staples who wanted to get his boat into and out of the water faster, safer and hassle free.
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 trailer boat.
Fitting the Boatcatch
Most good handymen who own a drill and some basic spanners can fit the Boatcatch. The device is attached simply and directly to the trailer bow post with four bolts and nuts. The most technical job is cutting the metal universal mounting ‘tube’ to the correct length with a hand saw or similar power tool.
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 for the car and trailer. When well practiced this makes for a speedy ramp work. Boatcatch also has allowed tens of thousands of “solo” boaters to set out by themselves. Simply remove any winch or safety straps and attach the Boatcatch release cord up top of the boat ramp. Reverse the boat into the desired water depth then step out of the vehicle and climb onto the boat. Start the boat engine and pull the Boatcatch release cord to free the boat. Tie the boat against the jetty as you park your car, then enjoy a day on the water.
Different trailer sizes
The device comes in two sizes of the same design. The small size may be fitted to all aluminium boats and light duty fibreglass boats 5.9 metres or less long. The large unit will accommodate a vessel as small as 6 metres long and of any greater length up to a maximum boat weight of 8 tonne.
Everything you need
Every Boatcatch comes with a universal mounting bracket, bolts, washers, nuts, pull cord, bow eye and adaptors as well as a very comprehensive and clear instruction/owners manual, to help you install it yourself.
Fits almost any boat & trailer
Whether you’ve got a small ‘alloy’ boat, a large fibreglass 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! Occasionally an extremely short, custom designed mount is needed. We do have those available in stock now.
Boatcatch won’t break
The device comes in two sizes of the same design. The small size may be fitted to boats 5.9 meters (19ft) or less 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 duty mounting brackets
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.
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. After which, reverse the trailer into the water. Boatcatch allows you to move at your own pace (because the boat remains positively locked solid) until you choose to pull the couplings release cord and calmly motor off.
Have you noticed all the new boat ramps suit “drive off / drive on” ?
Boatcatch and the drive off / drive on, trailer revolution has also helped the push towards vastly improved boat ramp facilities. The new ramps have very deep concrete bases that don`t blow out with engine thrust. They are wider and have good room to manoeuvre.
