Dart 15 Forums

Kevin W wrote:

Have searched re skeg protectors, do they really help? Iwant to take my boat to a sandy beach (roof top with caravan therfore space and weight issue)and leave trolley at home, will this work and save my hull? What are the different sorts? how do they fit? Hope somebody can help

Bob replied:

Hi Kevin
I have Skeg protectors - all they are is little cup shaped sections about 9 inches long which can be attached to the pointed bit of the skeg by shock chord to the toe loops. I find them pretty useless and no substitute for a launching trolley. A few of our travellers travel without the launching trolley but they depend on either
a) borrowing a trolley from the other sailors when they get there or
b) getting several guys to help carry the boat up and down the beach.
If you don't have either of the above I suggest that you put in the launching trolley especially if you are going somewhere with a tidal rise & fall (most guys with caravans put loose items like the trolley inside the caravan).
Best of Luck
Bob Carter

Nick replied:

I have skeg protectors I use them with a trolley when going over shingle,(and we get it tough down here.) it stops the skegs bashing. they always pop off! so I hardly bother now. I have tried gutters along the whole length of the hull and these go beautifully on flat shingle. hard work on the sloping stuff and just stick to wet sand.(low tide)
I have concluded that fat wheels are the way ahead.
So I have written to Santa

Duncan ford replied:

Kevin - We use plastic gutters on our cruising trips from Thorpe Bay to Whitstable where the beach is shingle. As Nick says, they are great on flat (or sloping) shingle but hard, but not impossible, work on wet sand. However, they may not be too hard on dry sand and, especially if you have got help, they are probably your answer.

Get two 6ft lengths of gutter from Homebase or wherever, and drill a hole in the four corners of each gutter. Sit the boat on the gutters so that they just extend behind the skegs. Then attach fixed lines from the front of the gutters round the bottom of the bridle wires to hold the gutters when you drag the boat forward. Finally fit a length of rubber elasticated cord to the rear holes and tie them up over the rear of each hull. Lift the hulls as you pull forward and a line round the base of the mast makes the pull easier.

They are light and easy to carry with you on hols and you can sail with them across the boat just aft of the mast and tie them to the toe straps and to the front beam.

It is best to put them on in a couple of feet of water, and drag the boat agroun making sure they are still in place. Once ashore they wont move.
Good Luck!

Duncan

Bob replied:

Hi Duncan - a really helpful reply. I had not heard of that trick. Regards
Bob

Kevin W replied:

Sorry for delay in replying, been away! Thanks everybody, it makes loads of sense now! Re trolley in caravan, we tour and like to keep van empty so it doesn't have to be emptied when we stop (keeps her indoors happy as well!) However this year the kids are not with us so have more room in back of car, think I will dismantle trolley.
Thanks again everybody and hope Santa brings you everything you asked for!