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TRAIL-SAIL ASSOCIATION
www.trail-sail.org.uk
Our small burgee can seen in many ports and on rivers & lakes in the UK & Europe

INITIAL SUMMARY
A good slip-way design will have a number of features. 1) Have a position sheltered from waves. This may be in a harbour or marina, or on the banks of a river or lake etc. Sheltered means that waves will not be able to break onto the face of the slip-way, or more dangerously, pass side-ways across the face. Waves can be generated by natural forces, or by passing craft creating an unexpected wash. Waves breaking onto the face of a slip-way cause all craft to rear up, first by the stern, then by the bows, creating an uncontrollable motion that risks damaging both the craft and the trailer below it. There is also the risk that in rougher conditions, an inexperienced person will seek to wade further out onto the water to control the boat, and suffer severe injuries as a consequence. 2) Have a position sheltered from the wind. This is not always possible, because the wind can blow from any direction. Wind exposure is far less significant than exposure to waves. If it is possible to control the boat from the shore with the aid of long ropes, a moderate wind may even be mildly beneficial. 3) No cross-currents flowing over the surface. Water flowing sideways over a slip-way is an invitation for a person to wade into the water in order to control the craft as it is launched, or more dangerously, when it is being recovered onto the trailer. Inexperience people will do so, where they risk loosing their balance, and then find that the craft is pushed over them by the current. Cross currents are a trap waiting for the un-wary. 4 ) Have a suitable slope. Slopes of between 7 degrees and 12 degrees are ideal. Vehicle manufacturers are required by law to state the maximum weight that the vehicle can move away from rest up an incline of approximately 12 degrees. Steeper slip-ways are potential traps for vehicles that can not start moving up them. (They are also severe tests of the vehicle's brakes, as heavy trailers are required by law to be fitted with over-run brakes, which will not function when pulling the tractor down hill after the trailer. Drum type brakes, as commonly fitted to the rear wheels of cars, do not have the same power in reverse to stop the vehicle, as when it is moving forwards, or parked facing down-hill.) Slip-ways that are shallower than 7 degrees invite the user to employ potentially dangerous techniques in order to get the trailer sufficiently submerged when launching/recovering the craft. 5) Terminate safely A slip-way should terminate onto hard sand or mud, or such other smooth material that is provided by the normal processes of Nature if the area. Slip-ways must never terminate with a vertical drop into deeper water , and providing a 'stop bar' or ridge at the submerged end of the slip-way is even more dangerous. The risk is that a person wading down the slip-way will trip on the hidden 'stop bar' or a vessel get caught on it when being launched on a falling tide. Slipways with vertical ends also risk people stepping off into deep water and drowning as a consequence of being dressed inappropriately for swimming. Likewise, the wheels of a boat trailer can suddenly fall over the unseen edge, dragging people and vehicles with it. 6 ) Have a clearly marked termination Beacon posts with triangular top marks should be placed at either side of the submerged end of the slipway. In some areas, it may be advisable to have lights (red or green) on the beacon posts, but this is not often necessary. Beacon posts need to be stout enough to accept the occasional impact from the size of vessel that could use the slip-way, as it at such times that engine failure is most probable. 7 ) Has a suitable face. The ideal face is rough concrete which can be easily kept clean of slippery weeds, and provide a high friction surface for both wheels and feet. Tarmac is not suitable for a slip-way, due to the action of waves, which will limit the life of the surface. Cleaning weed and slime off tarmac may have to be done with undesirable chemicals, as pressure washing can destroy the

tarmac. creating dangerous holes. Shingle spread onto a soft surface, commonly called a 'hard', needs monitoring for the build-up of mud, which is difficult to remove. Hards are usually only suitable for craft that can rest on a trailer drawn by hand, such as dinghies and small rowing boats. 8) Have a provision for controlling the craft to be launched/recovered. It is rare for the weather to be entirely calm. Therefore larger craft being launched/recovered have to be controlled by the means of ropes. It is not always possible to have the ropes at 90 degrees to the craft's centre line, but it should be possible to have them at least at 45 degrees. Therefore, there should be space for people to stand either side of the slip-way when holding a rope set at 45 degrees to the slip-way centre line where it is submerged below approximately 2 metres of water. If the slip-way is cut into an embankment, the sides are usualy prevented from collapsing by placing a layer of rocks on the earth face. The structure would be more stable if there is a cut-back, and as this is coincidentaly the same width as a normal paving slab, a safe walk-way can thus be provided for rope handlers. Bollards, to which launching ropes may be attached are a desirable, but luxury, feature. If the slip-way projects into a body of water, a single line of pontoons, or a staging carrying a walk-way provides an adequate facility to control craft, as pushing may also become an option. (This depends on the height of the walk-way relative to the water's surface. 1 metre may be possible on a lake, canal or river, but difficult to arrange where tides constantly alter the water's level.) If the slip-way is beside a wall, it is easy to provide a raised walk-way with it's surface parallel to the slip-way's surface. Such an arrangement serves to also protect the footings of the wall against scouring. The height should be such that approximately 5 metres of walkway remains dry above the water covered slip. A hand-rail will greatly add to safety, but needs to be robust enough for people to use it as a place to tie off mooring ropes, etc. 9) Further comments on controlling vessels prior to being launched/recovered Bringing a boat to its trailer, or pulling it away after launching, should be possible for people to achieve without wading. It is not a good idea to expect a person to be on the boat whilst a boat is being moved on or off its trailer, as it introduces unnecessary risks. (Some Rigid Inflatable Boats [RIBs] are designed to be driven onto their trailers by their engines, or pulled away by engaging reverse gear. These are a minority.) Many craft require their rudders to be removed during the launching process, and it is best if this can be done away from the launch/recovery point, and then have an empty boat guided to the trailer by ropes. It is to be remembered that sailing boats commonly have lifting keels, and will easily slide sideways when the keel is up. A slip-way design that requires such boats to be manovered under power without a keel is thus creating an additional accident potential. 10) Have a provision for loading/unloading craft adjacent to the slip-way Boats should be as light as possible when moved on a trailer, with heavy items being carried on the towing vehicle. These items need to be transferred from one to the other, which takes time, and causes an undesirable obstruction for other slipway users. A short term mooring provision removes such an obstruction, and allows the boat owner to moor the boat whilst the trailer is removed from the slip-way.

11) Have a means of allowing people to board a boat. Expecting people to clamber up from the slip-way onto a boat that has just been launched is undesirable, and frequently impossible because the higest part of the boat, the bows, is in the shallowest water. Jumping down onto a slip-way that might be covered in slime is an invitation to have a serious accident. Wall mounted ladders, pontoons down the slip-way's length, and other arrangements allow a returning crew to get ashore safely and quickly, thus minimising the usage time on the slipway. 12) Have a good 'run out' Various techniques are employed to get boats in and out of the water, Some boats are launched with the trailer attached to the towing vehicle. Other trailers are brought to the water's edge, decoupled, and the vehicle moved forwards, so that a rope can be attached between the two. The Towing vehicle then reverses, allowing the trailer to descend into the water, and thus allow the boat to be floated off. Recovery is the reverse. In both cases, there is a need to manoeuvre the tractor and trailer at the top of the slip, so that the trailer enters the water at the correct angle. Therefore, there should be approximately 50 metres of level surface above the slip on which such manoeuvres can be undertaken without risk brake failure or unnecessary damage to the tractor's clutch. 13) Have a provision for 'drying out' Slip-ways are not only used for the launching and recovery of boats. They are also used when it is necessary for a boat to be removed from the sea for a short period, such as when painting anti-fouling treatments onto it's hull. Providing a buoy, tethered by a stout rope or chain to the lower end of the slip-way allows control of the boat's position as the tide falls, as the boat can be kept facing straight up & down the slip-way. The alternative, that of rigging several shore-lines, results in the ropes obstructing other users of the slip-way.

14) Have a 'boat preparation' area of hard standing. Boats always require some sort of attention to make them ready for launching, or being moved on a road after recovery. This is best done as near as possible to the slip-way on firm level ground where the activity will not obstruct the use of the slip-way by other people. 15) Have a hose-pipe and drinking water available. Salt water is corrosive, and trailers must be washed clean as soon as possible after submersion, and before being left to bake dry in sunshine. Some engines must also be washed out with fresh water as quickly as possible after use. A normal 15mm pipe will deliver adequate amounts of water if it has a typical mains pressure. It is desirable to fit an anti-backflow device to the water pipe, as it will also be used for drinking etc. Hose pipes are occasionaly stolen, but the use of a standard thread on the tap will allow users to employ their own hose pipe. 16) Have an adjacent provision for secure parking When a boat is launched, the trailer that carried it has to be stored somewhere adjacent to the slip-way. If this is distant from the slip-way, the boat obstructs the slip-way whilst the trailer is being moved. Secure parking should include a facility for trailers to be locked against theft. The simplest being for the owner to use a chain and pad-lock, with the chain being secured to something like a post, ring attached to the ground, or a scrap length of chain discarded from a large ship. Trailers are usually pulled by cars and 4x4 vehicles like Land Rovers, and the storage bays should be long enough for both to be parked together without de-coupling.

The ideal slip-way

The ideal slip-way will : Be located in a sheltered position free from exposure to waves. Be at least 10 metres wide. Made of concrete. Have a fall of 7 to 12 degrees. Terminate in mud or sand. Have marker posts, or beacons, either side showing where the submerged end is located. A water depth guage on one of the posts is desirable, provided that mud does not accumulate on the end of the slip-way, causing the guage to lie about the actual depth. Be provided with a means of getting on board after launching, without needing to do so urgently. Be provided with a means of getting ashore, without jumping, at the time of recovery. Have a straight 'Run Out' of 50 metres or more level surface above the end of the slip-way. (This may include an adjacent flat concrete surface.) Be provided with anchor rings down it's centre. The spacing should be such that, as the tide rises by one metre, the next ring is covered, and even at the highest tide, one ring is left exposed and dry. Be provided with pontoons down it's length, either at one side, or middle if it is wide enough. The pontoons should start where the slip-way is never covered by the tide, and extend out to where there is at least 2 metres of water over the slip-way at low tide. The pontoons should be provided with mooring cleats. Be provided with a water tap with hose attachament for drinking and washing boats, trailers and engines etc. Be provided with a nearby parking compound having 12 meter long parking bays. A security attachment point should be provided at one end of the parking bay. Comment on parking :
Boats kept afloat during the summer are usually removed from the water for the winter months. (Prolonged immersion is bad for GRP.) This requires large areas of hard-standing adjacent to the removal position - slip-way - at a time when there is little demand by summer visitors to park cars and trailers. The result is a dual-use for the hard-standing with little conflict of interests between the summer and winter users
v-04 RYA stil lto be finished Dec 06

This small rural slip-way is at the end of a dyke leading off from a tidal river with a 1.25 metre range between high and low water. (Picture taken near high tide.) It shows that slip-ways need not be expensive to construct, as it has most of the features mentioned above needed for boats weighing several tonnes to be launched and recovered with control and safety. 20 metres of timber topped pilings have plenty of mooring rings. A water tap & hose pipe are just out of view. COMMERCIAL CONSIDERATIONS Since before History began, all places where people have to pass, such as bridges or fords, have provided a commercial opportunity for the local residents to supply goods and services to the concentration of passers-by. Slipways are a form of bridge between land and water, and thus create similar employment and wealth gathering opportunites for near-by residents. The first thought is that a charge can be levied for the use of the slip-way. However, as boat owners are faced with a significant number of topics requiring them to spend money to enjoy the activity, a free slip-way, or one that is a public right of way, does not siphon off money that has to be spent on other more important things. Instead, the boat owner is attracted to the free facility, and then spends money near the slip-way on the things that are necessary, but can be purchased anywhere. Thus the free slipway enourages far more money to be brought to, and spent, in the local area than would be acquired by imposing a charge to use the slip-way. Parking charges are a similar topic, and it is noticeable that super-markets and restaurants do not charge for parking. Money spent on parking a flat piece of ground does not create the equivalent amount of employment as the same sum spent in a restaurant, or on purchhasing some other necessary service. Developers of slip-ways thus have two choices. If it is a commercial investment, then clearly a return is needed on the cost of construction. If the construction is funded by Taxation or Grants from Governement Departments, in order to create local employment, the free use of the slip-way and parking will generate more wealth than any basic facility that is charged for. (This is demonstrated by the new toll-bridge which links the island of Sky to the mainland. The tolls simply result in tourists refusing to use the bridge, seeing it as a worthless expenditure as they turn and drive away. Thus the bridge is now ruining the very economy of the island that it was supposed to benefit.) It is to be noted that winter storage of boats provides employment opportunities maintaining them and their equipment. (Winter is frequently a time of high un-employment in areas that are desirable places for boat owners in the summer.) Personal water craft (PWCs), or wet bikes, seem to attract people who have little interest in learning how to navigate them with safety. Experience is showing the operators of places where PWCs and small power boats are launched, that they can deter the irresponsible by the simple expedient of asking for proof of public liability insurance, prior to the PWC or boat owner using the launching facility. In France, it is very noticeable that the Government has discovered that the construction of marinas with free launching facilities are a very effective way of reviving a local economy, after a relatively small investment by the State. The TSA is an affiliated member of the Royal Yachting Association.