The L-&-R boat latch has been granted an International Patent. Persons or Organizations who are found to be in breach of this patent will be prosecuted to the full extent of the International patent laws. © Copyright Release & Retrieve Boat Latch Pty Ltd, 2006 and "L-&-R" is a Trademark of Release & Retrieve Boat Latch Pty Ltd
Reviews
Aug-Sept - 08
"With dozens of launches and retrieves at both the North Haven and Outer Harbor boar ramps in the past 2 months, we've really come to appreciate the value of the Release & Retrieve Boat Latch fitted to our Dunbier trailer. Designed and manufactured by local inventor Geoff Davis, this clever gadget takes most of the hard work (and wet feet !) out of putting the Stabi-Craft in and out of the water. I'm never keen on getting the tootsies damp in winter time and I send Geoff a silent "thank you" whenever we're at the ramp before or after a fishing session. He has certainly made a lot of improvement to the design of the product since it first appeared a few years ago and I can't imagine launching or retrieving now without it."
About 12 months ago I fitted a great locally designed gadget to the front of my boat and about 200 launches down the track I can report that it's one of the best investments I ever made. The patented Release and Retrieve Boat Latch is by far the cleverest device of its kind. Constructed from high-quality marine-grade stainless steel, it is designed to eliminate most of the problems associated with drive-drive off trailers. A lot of boaties these days prefer to power their craft on to and off their trailers - a manoeuver which takes a little practice to get right, but ultimately removes much of the effort involved in a manual launch or retrieve. The new device isn't intended to replace the trailer winch mechanism or safety chain, but when operated according to the instructions, it makes the whole boat ramp exercise safer and quicker. It takes about 30 minutes to fit it to the bow of most trailer craft [aluminium or fibreglass] and then remains as a permanent fixture. It consists of two components - a latch assembly that is attached to the trailer winch post and a snare that's fitted to the existing bow hook of the boat. When it's time to launch the boat, the trailer is reversed to the water's edge with the latch in the locked position. The original safety chain is then removed and the winch is released so that the boat can move back and be caught by the latch. At this point the trailer winch cable hook can be disengaged and the latch lever moved to the release position. Next step is to reverse until the boat is in the water, start the motor and then power slightly forward. This enables the latch to automatically release and the boat should glide off the trailer. Retrieving is the reverse process. The driver powers the boat up and onto the trailer and rests about a metre from the latch. After allowing the boat to settle and line up straight, the driver then applies more power until the snare component is engaged by the latch. The tow vehicle then moves forward and the winch hook and safety chain can be connected. The rig is then ready to be pulled completely out of the water. In a traditional drive on retrieval, it's necessary for the driver to maintain outboard power to hold the boat's bow in place while someone hooks up the winch cable and safety chain, but this device does away with all this.
The L-&-R TM Boat Latch
by Shane Mensforth
from the Adelaide Advertiser newspaper
Boat Ramp Etiquette by Rick Huckstepp
from Trailerboat Magazine
Biting the bullet and convincing my other half of the huge benefits of avoiding domestics at the boat ramp I did the deed and placed an order. The unit has an elongated catch ring. This is what caught my eye in the first place, as I have had experiences where the boat ramp was excessively steep and the hook on the catch is either above or below the ring and it will not catch. Should you then manually winch the boat onto the trailer, when you drive out and the transom settles the ring damages the hook. The oblong ring alleviates this problem and gives it more scope to receive the hook. When it is all set up, launch and retrieve the boat with an observer at the winch post. After connecting with the trailer drive forward until a metre from the winch post and let the boat settle on the rollers, then gently power forward. Should you gun the boat all the way the bow up attitude will have the retainer ring well above the hook and when it all falls heavily as power is removed, the result will be damage to the hull or catch assembly. Once caught on the hook, the boat can be powered off, and motor tilted up. Attach the safety chain and tow away onto the hard (parking area). This bow retainer set-up has to be a marriage saver !
Article in :-
Article in :-
by Scott Coghlan (Western Angler - www.westernangler.com.au)
(WA)
A Follow-up article all those Launches & Retrieves later ! Launch & Retrieve Boat Latch
NATHAN Bajada explains the benefits of a boat latch system and how to install one on your boat. YEP, I’ll admit it, I’m “that guy” who takes too long at the ramp trying to get my boat connected to my winch. The “same guy” wondering what is taking so long for my wife or mate to connect the safety chain and winch rope. I’m also the guy who has a reluctance to take people with little or no boating experience fishing for the worry of them not knowing how to handle the winching side of things. Rejoice for those amongst us with engineering aptitude and foresight to develop an auto launch and retrieve system. You might know of them as the “Boat Catch”, “Boat Latch” or “Bar Catch”. Whatever you call them, they have revolutionised the way we deal with the launching and retrieval of our boats and at the same time removed so much of the stress that comes with trailer boat ownership. For those of us who fish solo, or with the kids, elderly or just people that don’t like getting their feet wet (you know who you are), these devices solve all these issues. Most of my fishing is done from our 550 Cruise Craft Outsider. For those not familiar with the Cruise Craft line up, it’s an 18 foot walk around half cab fibreglass boat, not a high boat, but big enough to give attitude ramp-side. Through summer my wife and eight year old daughter accompany me on almost every fishing trip. In winter, well, that’s a different story… The sanctuary of a warm bed, or being curled up under a blanket with the heater running takes precedence over ice cold mornings, freezing cold wind chill and not enough sun to improve a vanishing tan. This leaves me to rally up my less experienced mates to come fishing. What’s the problem, I hear you ask? Well my wife has become supremely efficient at the winch post and has the launching and retrieving of our boat down to a fine art. During winter it’s either me on my own or with another mate who’s not as familiar with the process. This almost always sees me leaving the helm, engine in gear holding the boat against the winch post climbing over the bow and taking on the wife’s task myself. Far from ideal, enjoyable, or safe! I’d looked into the Boat Latch system in the past but never took the step towards purchasing one. I’d heard how good they were and every time the situation above took place I swore it would be the last time. Finally the idle threats were actioned and I purchased a system from L&R Boat Latch. I’m one of these guys with some mechanical knowledge and like to do as much as I can on my own boat. I had a look over a few YouTube videos and did some research online. I picked this particular unit as it was the easiest to fit to my boat and trailer. It still meant I needed to change my winch post, however this was the extent of the major changes or modifications required to fit the unit. Installation The instructions on the packet of the unit comes in handy and makes it simple enough to follow. The unit itself was manufactured from 316 Stainless Steel with a highly polished finish, looks solidly built and nicely finished. This unit requires you to remove the bow eye which passes through the bow into the anchor well via two surprisingly very long threaded bolts. After scratching away the gel coat from the retaining nuts it was a case of undoing these and knocking the original eye out. Once this is out you need to enlarge the two holes left behind. Once enlarged you simply place some sealant (I recommend sika-flex) over the threads of the new much larger funky looking supplied bow eye, which they call the “snare”, and tighten the nuts until it pulls firmly up against the hull and the sealant oozes out. Next the latch mechanism needs to be bolted to the underside of the winch post. Now you may get lucky here and find you have existing bolt holes that line up with the latch holes, however I’m not so lucky with these things. I needed to drill most of the holes myself. Once these holes were drilled it was as simple as doing up the bolts. With the bolts in place and tightened the next part in the process came as a surprise; clear and concise instructions on checking the alignment of your boat to your trailer. With this system you need to ensure your hull is centred perfectly on the trailer. This ensures perfect alignment and engagement between the snare and latching mechanism. I’ve always had problems with my hull to trailer alignment and making these adjustments solved all of my issues. Once following the instructions, I set the catching position of the latch and loop and tightened the winch post down. Then it was off to the water to test it out. With the lever set to launching position I backed the boat down the ramp. The downward angle of the ramp ensured the snare had weight on it and the latch was engaged. I then felt safe enough to undo the safety chain. The boat was backed into the water, the engine fired up, and then placed into gear. You simply apply enough throttle to drive the boat against the winch post and with this you hear the latch decouple from the snare. Back off the throttle and return to natural and away the boat went down the trailer into the water. Too easy. On retrieval, the lever is set to the retrieve position and again the trailer placed in the water. The boat is slowly driven onto the trailer, ensuring the boat is centred in the rollers/skids then light throttle is applied, enough to get you all the way up to the winch post. As soon as you touch the bow roller you hear and feel the latch spring shut as it catches the new bow eye. Ease the throttle off, and sure enough you’re secured to the winch post. Drive the trailer up the ramp just a little, put the safety chain on, and you’re done. No stress, no swearing, no divorce, everyone is happy. I couldn’t recommend you put one of these systems on your boat highly enough. In the time we’ve had ours, it has alleviated so much of the stress around these parts of our day. These systems have made boat ownership that much more pleasurable.
http://www.fishingworld.com.au/how-to/how-to-install-a-boat-latch-system-on-your-boat
Reviews
Aug-Sept - 08
"With dozens of launches and retrieves at both the North Haven and Outer Harbor boar ramps in the past 2 months, we've really come to appreciate the value of the Release & Retrieve Boat Latch fitted to our Dunbier trailer. Designed and manufactured by local inventor Geoff Davis, this clever gadget takes most of the hard work (and wet feet !) out of putting the Stabi-Craft in and out of the water. I'm never keen on getting the tootsies damp in winter time and I send Geoff a silent "thank you" whenever we're at the ramp before or after a fishing session. He has certainly made a lot of improvement to the design of the product since it first appeared a few years ago and I can't imagine launching or retrieving now without it."
About 12 months ago I fitted a great locally designed gadget to the front of my boat and about 200 launches down the track I can report that it's one of the best investments I ever made. The patented Release and Retrieve Boat Latch is by far the cleverest device of its kind. Constructed from high-quality marine-grade stainless steel, it is designed to eliminate most of the problems associated with drive-drive off trailers. A lot of boaties these days prefer to power their craft on to and off their trailers - a manoeuver which takes a little practice to get right, but ultimately removes much of the effort involved in a manual launch or retrieve. The new device isn't intended to replace the trailer winch mechanism or safety chain, but when operated according to the instructions, it makes the whole boat ramp exercise safer and quicker. It takes about 30 minutes to fit it to the bow of most trailer craft [aluminium or fibreglass] and then remains as a permanent fixture. It consists of two components - a latch assembly that is attached to the trailer winch post and a snare that's fitted to the existing bow hook of the boat. When it's time to launch the boat, the trailer is reversed to the water's edge with the latch in the locked position. The original safety chain is then removed and the winch is released so that the boat can move back and be caught by the latch. At this point the trailer winch cable hook can be disengaged and the latch lever moved to the release position. Next step is to reverse until the boat is in the water, start the motor and then power slightly forward. This enables the latch to automatically release and the boat should glide off the trailer. Retrieving is the reverse process. The driver powers the boat up and onto the trailer and rests about a metre from the latch. After allowing the boat to settle and line up straight, the driver then applies more power until the snare component is engaged by the latch. The tow vehicle then moves forward and the winch hook and safety chain can be connected. The rig is then ready to be pulled completely out of the water. In a traditional drive on retrieval, it's necessary for the driver to maintain outboard power to hold the boat's bow in place while someone hooks up the winch cable and safety chain, but this device does away with all this.
The L-&-R TM Boat Latch
by Shane Mensforth
from the Adelaide Advertiser newspaper
Boat Ramp Etiquette by Rick Huckstepp
from Trailerboat Magazine
Biting the bullet and convincing my other half of the huge benefits of avoiding domestics at the boat ramp I did the deed and placed an order. The unit has an elongated catch ring. This is what caught my eye in the first place, as I have had experiences where the boat ramp was excessively steep and the hook on the catch is either above or below the ring and it will not catch. Should you then manually winch the boat onto the trailer, when you drive out and the transom settles the ring damages the hook. The oblong ring alleviates this problem and gives it more scope to receive the hook. When it is all set up, launch and retrieve the boat with an observer at the winch post. After connecting with the trailer drive forward until a metre from the winch post and let the boat settle on the rollers, then gently power forward. Should you gun the boat all the way the bow up attitude will have the retainer ring well above the hook and when it all falls heavily as power is removed, the result will be damage to the hull or catch assembly. Once caught on the hook, the boat can be powered off, and motor tilted up. Attach the safety chain and tow away onto the hard (parking area). This bow retainer set-up has to be a marriage saver !
Article in :-
Article in :-
by Scott Coghlan (Western Angler - www.westernangler.com.au)
(WA)
A Follow-up article all those Launches & Retrieves later ! Launch & Retrieve Boat Latch Aust.  0402 079 660Int.+61 402 079 660            Geoff Davis
The L-&-R boat latch has been granted an International Patent. Persons or Organizations who are found to be in breach of this patent will be prosecuted to the full extent of the International patent laws. © Copyright Release & Retrieve Boat Latch Pty Ltd, 2006 and "L-&-R" is a Trademark of Release & Retrieve Boat Latch Pty Ltd
Aust.  0402 079 660Int.+61 402 079 660            Geoff Davis Email Email BUY BUY SiteMenu Aust.  0402 079 660Int.+61 402 079 660            Geoff Davis Email Email BUY BUY SiteMenu Aust.  0402 079 660Int.+61 402 079 660            Geoff Davis Email Email BUY BUY SiteMenu Aust.  0402 079 660Int.+61 402 079 660            Geoff Davis Email Email BUY BUY SiteMenu Aust.  0402 079 660Int.+61 402 079 660            Geoff Davis Email Email BUY BUY SiteMenu
http://www.fishingworld.com.au/how-to/how-to-install-a-boat-latch-system-on-your-boat
NATHAN Bajada explains the benefits of a boat latch system and how to install one on your boat. YEP, I’ll admit it, I’m “that guy” who takes too long at the ramp trying to get my boat connected to my winch. The “same guy” wondering what is taking so long for my wife or mate to connect the safety chain and winch rope. I’m also the guy who has a reluctance to take people with little or no boating experience fishing for the worry of them not knowing how to handle the winching side of things. Rejoice for those amongst us with engineering aptitude and foresight to develop an auto launch and retrieve system. You might know of them as the “Boat Catch”, “Boat Latch” or “Bar Catch”. Whatever you call them, they have revolutionised the way we deal with the launching and retrieval of our boats and at the same time removed so much of the stress that comes with trailer boat ownership. For those of us who fish solo, or with the kids, elderly or just people that don’t like getting their feet wet (you know who you are), these devices solve all these issues. Most of my fishing is done from our 550 Cruise Craft Outsider. For those not familiar with the Cruise Craft line up, it’s an 18 foot walk around half cab fibreglass boat, not a high boat, but big enough to give attitude ramp-side. Through summer my wife and eight year old daughter accompany me on almost every fishing trip. In winter, well, that’s a different story… The sanctuary of a warm bed, or being curled up under a blanket with the heater running takes precedence over ice cold mornings, freezing cold wind chill and not enough sun to improve a vanishing tan. This leaves me to rally up my less experienced mates to come fishing. What’s the problem, I hear you ask? Well my wife has become supremely efficient at the winch post and has the launching and retrieving of our boat down to a fine art. During winter it’s either me on my own or with another mate who’s not as familiar with the process. This almost always sees me leaving the helm, engine in gear holding the boat against the winch post climbing over the bow and taking on the wife’s task myself. Far from ideal, enjoyable, or safe! I’d looked into the Boat Latch system in the past but never took the step towards purchasing one. I’d heard how good they were and every time the situation above took place I swore it would be the last time. Finally the idle threats were actioned and I purchased a system from L&R Boat Latch. I’m one of these guys with some mechanical knowledge and like to do as much as I can on my own boat. I had a look over a few YouTube videos and did some research online. I picked this particular unit as it was the easiest to fit to my boat and trailer. It still meant I needed to change my winch post, however this was the extent of the major changes or modifications required to fit the unit. Installation The instructions on the packet of the unit comes in handy and makes it simple enough to follow. The unit itself was manufactured from 316 Stainless Steel with a highly polished finish, looks solidly built and nicely finished. This unit requires you to remove the bow eye which passes through the bow into the anchor well via two surprisingly very long threaded bolts. After scratching away the gel coat from the retaining nuts it was a case of undoing these and knocking the original eye out. Once this is out you need to enlarge the two holes left behind. Once enlarged you simply place some sealant (I recommend sika-flex) over the threads of the new much larger funky looking supplied bow eye, which they call the “snare”, and tighten the nuts until it pulls firmly up against the hull and the sealant oozes out. Next the latch mechanism needs to be bolted to the underside of the winch post. Now you may get lucky here and find you have existing bolt holes that line up with the latch holes, however I’m not so lucky with these things. I needed to drill most of the holes myself. Once these holes were drilled it was as simple as doing up the bolts. With the bolts in place and tightened the next part in the process came as a surprise; clear and concise instructions on checking the alignment of your boat to your trailer. With this system you need to ensure your hull is centred perfectly on the trailer. This ensures perfect alignment and engagement between the snare and latching mechanism. I’ve always had problems with my hull to trailer alignment and making these adjustments solved all of my issues. Once following the instructions, I set the catching position of the latch and loop and tightened the winch post down. Then it was off to the water to test it out. With the lever set to launching position I backed the boat down the ramp. The downward angle of the ramp ensured the snare had weight on it and the latch was engaged. I then felt safe enough to undo the safety chain. The boat was backed into the water, the engine fired up, and then placed into gear. You simply apply enough throttle to drive the boat against the winch post and with this you hear the latch decouple from the snare. Back off the throttle and return to natural and away the boat went down the trailer into the water. Too easy. On retrieval, the lever is set to the retrieve position and again the trailer placed in the water. The boat is slowly driven onto the trailer, ensuring the boat is centred in the rollers/skids then light throttle is applied, enough to get you all the way up to the winch post. As soon as you touch the bow roller you hear and feel the latch spring shut as it catches the new bow eye. Ease the throttle off, and sure enough you’re secured to the winch post. Drive the trailer up the ramp just a little, put the safety chain on, and you’re done. No stress, no swearing, no divorce, everyone is happy. I couldn’t recommend you put one of these systems on your boat highly enough. In the time we’ve had ours, it has alleviated so much of the stress around these parts of our day. These systems have made boat ownership that much more pleasurable.
Aust.  0402 079 660Int.+61 402 079 660            Geoff Davis