Launching Riggers

[Mark]

Is anyone able to launch there own rigger by themselves? I've been told it's almost impossible.

 

[Russell Bear]

I've done it. :unsure:

 

[TomMoorehouse]

i launch my .12's and .21's by myself all the time..... i used to launch my own .45 as well. maybe when you get a 90 or a twin it would be very difficult or a gas rigger.

 

[Kevin_R_Clark]

Don`t think we are supposed to admit to this, but I do it all the time. Word of advice, make sure the boat is clean, no fuel residue. Last thing you need is it slipping at of your hand. One other thing , this is not something I am comfortable doing, I only do it as a last resort. Also forgot to mention that I have no common since, or brains.

 

[Don Ferrette]

I'm as guilty as the next guy of launching my own riggers but I will always try to find a set of free hands if I can......

 

[Tom v.d Brink]

Well i don't see this as a problem with smaller riggers.

I do this all the time actually with my .21 and .45 riggers.

even my .45 saw rigger is easilly launchable by hand.

the thing to do is make your engine run cleanly but nice and rich.

what i do next is load the prop a bit then give it a gentle swing into the water

and set it free (sort of like a fish after you caught it)

I don't see the problem with this except for when you like driving in on a drivers

tower like i sometimes see on pictures of american race lakes.

but for when you are staying on the bank for testing purposes this works fine.

I don't think there is to much trick to it except making the engine run nice and clean.

I wouldn't like to launch a heavy boat like a 90, gas or a twin though.....

 

[shoboat]

No Problem launching one handed,radio in the left and rigger in the right,nice

easy toss off the dock or the shoreline. I'm left-handed though, so it may just

be easy for us south paws. My only problem is when I test a Sport 40 or a 1/8th

Scale.

Thanks, B)

Mark Sholund

 

[ClayGlover]

Make sure you throw the boat in and not the transmitter. According to Phil Thomas, this does occur :lol:

I guess you'd have to consider what the lakes bank is like and how safe the walk is. I've launched my .67 rigger from a steep sloped bank and it really wasn't safe for me or my gear at all. The club's race lake has a nice gradual "beach" that goes on out into the lake, so it's much easier and safer. .45's and .21's no problem. heck, some guys launch their gas boats all the time by themselves.

shoes please.

a twin rigger? hellifiknow, I haven't reached that standard of living yet... AKA- the good life!

 

[TimD]

One of the board members - Ozzy, had an incident last year launching his own boat from a pontoon.

How many stitches was it again Paul? The hours of waiting in Casualty at the hospital weren't fun either!

Tim.

 

[Mike G]

The new 4 port Zens launch pretty easy, the old 2 port was a real PITA.

 

[Tim Kish]

This is more of a safety issue than a problem with the actual launching of the boat.

Walking backwards while trying to keep an eye on your boat and not hit someone elses is only asking for trouble.

I actually watched a person launch his boat turn away from the boat to walk to the drivers stand only to turn in time to see it hit the shore.

I laughed my a$$ off

Tim

 

[jaso]

Hay Tim D, what did Ozzy do to himself as a result and what do you mean by a pontoon?

I launch my .90 rigger by myself at times when there is no one free but I make sure the side of the tub is dry and not oily and the same with my hand. When I pick it up I make sure I have a good grip before it leaves the stand and if I'm unsure I'll put it back down and shut it off. I'll also look around me as I pick it up if it's all good slowly walk to the water and toss her in.

 

[ClayGlover]

This is more of a safety issue than a problem with the actual launching of the boat.Walking backwards while trying to keep an eye on your boat and not hit someone elses is only asking for trouble.

I actually watched a person launch his boat turn away from the boat to walk to the drivers stand only to turn in time to see it hit the shore.

I laughed my a$$ off

Tim

yeah, then try walking backwards up steps to the driver's stand while driving the boat...

did I mention I used to be in the Cirque du Soleil?

 

[NZMPBA_22]

done it heaps of times with my boats and i lanch one handed with a friends 90 .... i think it helps to have a hydro that will drive up on plane easy . without having to do the ole discus hurle

 

[Mark]

Thanks guys. I was only thinking of doing this because I won't be with other boaters when I get the thing sorted out with the mixture control and running in the engine.

Man these things are a pain to start when they're new. I have a speedmaster mixture control, it's purple in colour and has a plastic "L" shaped bracket for mounting. Where the hell do you start with the needle setting, considering I have a Mac 84. I started it the other night but when I opened up the throttle just a little it went a bit sad and wasn't crisp and is it normal for the carby to spit fuel out when the engine is running low revs. My 1/8th and 1/10th cars were much easier to crank up than this animal.

 

[Bob Kensill]

One note of concern. I'm not sure of the NAMBA rules,but in IMPBA if you launch your own boat and don't have a "backer" you are in violation of the rules and the insurance WILL NOT cover you if you hurt someone. I see this more with the gas guys than the nitro guys,but it happens way too often. How would like to loose everything you own just because you were too lazy to ask someone for help.

 

[Kevin_R_Clark]

Mark,

One of the guys in the club has a Mac 67, it does the mist out of the carb thing at low idle and runs like a stripped A ape so that is probably normal. You want it to be rich on the stand, crack the throttle and it should sag a little then pick up. If it is crisp on the stand it will be to lean in the water.

 

[tracerbob]

I have launched my own .21 riggers and it's easy if you have a rear exhaust engine so the pipe is not hanging off the side. My question is, how do I avoid being hosed down by the rooster tail when launching a large rigger for someone?

 

[Chris Attebery]

When I launch a 67-90 rigger I always throw it at a slight angle so the propwash won't hit me.

PS I launch my 21/45 riggers by myself all the time.

Chris

 

[Mike G]

how do I avoid being hosed down by the rooster tail when launching a large rigger for someone?

Robert, it is quite easy actually, after they hose you down once you tell them not to do that anymore, if they do it again then on the third time you just nose it in hard :lol: No more wash downs! :lol: