LAUNCHING and retrieving a hefty plate boat like the popular Bar Crushers by yourself can pose problems. I know – I run a Bar Crusher 620C and while the custom Easy-Tow trailer is purpose designed for drive on/drive off launching, you still need someone to attach the strap/undo the chains etc.
So I was interested to hear that the Bar Crusher boys have come up with a system that makes single-handed launching and retrieving a breeze. The nifty “Bar Catch” now comes standard on all factory-packaged Bar Crusher trailers.
There are a variety of similar systems on the market these days and the general process for all is fairly simple. To launch, the trailer is backed down the ramp and into the water. Before you get into the boat, you loosen the winch strap and undo any safety chains, thus allowing the boat to slide back so it’s retained by the Bar Catch. You then move the elastic strap on the Bar Catch to the rear position. When you board the boat and start the engine, you gently power the boat forward slightly. The Bar Catch will drop down and the boat can be reversed off the trailer.
When it comes time to retrieve, you attached the elastic strap to the rear of the Bar Catch before backing the trailer down. You then drive the boat onto the trailer as per usual so the hook eye on the front of the boat rides over the Bar Catch. The system automatically clicks into position, retaining the boat. It’s important to understand that the Bar Catch is designed to secure the boat, it’s not there as a defacto winch strap or safety chain. Before you tow the boat out of the water and off the ramp, always remember to fit the chain and strap.
The Bar Catch feature tough alloy construction and are made in Bar Crusher’s Melbourne factory. Owners of Bar Crushers can retro-fit the unit. I plan to fit a test Bar Catch to my dual-axle Easy Tow trailer and will report in an upcoming edition on how it all goes!
Meantime, contact Bar Crusher Boats on (03) 9792 2999 or check out www.barcrusher.com.au.
