Handle with care: a pad for all hull shapes

When thinking of hydraulic slipway trailers, it is tempting to focus just on the hydraulics. But what about the all-essential cushioned hull support? Dutch company Roodberg, with decades of experience in ensuring that hull pads deliver the quality required, outlines requirements and options.

Hydraulic slipway trailers function differently from regular slipway trailers. In regular slipway trailers, the boat is pulled onto the trailer often using a winch. Rollers on the trailer help move the boat forward.
With a Roodberg hydraulic slipway trailer, there is no pulling or pushing. The boat is positioned in plenty of water above the trailer. When the boat is in position, the pads are hydraulically activated, keeping the boat in place. When the trailer is driven out of the water, the boat rests on the pads and bow support. The hydraulic frame lifting cylinders ensure that the boat remains horizontal while driving up and on the hard-stand.
Pads for all shapes
The pads are large and of semi-soft material to prevent damage to the boat hull from friction or peak loads. They are also offered in different shapes and sizes to best suit different boat shapes, including the standard 90 x 30cm (35 x 12in) pad and the larger 120 x 40cm (47 x 16in) pad. On trailers with a capacity up to 40 tons, Roodberg works with a total of four pads as standard, from 47 to 60 tons with six pads and above that with ten pads, i.e. five on each side of the trailer.
For those who want even more precise and friendly support for their boat, there are the dual pads that consist of two parts of 60 x 40 cm (24 x 16in) that are both hinged. In this way, the line of the hull is optimally followed. Larger vessels with a deep keel, where the bow is not supported, require more pad support.
The ultimate result for curved and/or fragile hulls, such as those of (GRP) sailboats, can be achieved with the unique and patented quattro pads. The unit consists of four independently hinged pads, each measuring 40 x 40cm (16 x 16in).
In some cases, a combination of different pad models is desired. As every Roodberg trailer is custom-equipped, appropriate advice is given and any type of hull can be optimally supported.
Covering catamarans
Interest in trailers that can handle catamarans is on the increase, especially in the countries surrounding the Aegean Sea, the Indian and Pacific Ocean islands, the Caribbean and New Zealand.
Roodberg offers several solutions for this. At times it is possible to support the catamaran bridge directly with the pads fitted to the trailer. On other occasions, it is necessary to add so-called cat beams to the trailer. Hinged pad supports with pads measuring 90 x 30cm (35 x 12in) are placed on the cat beams. These are adjustable across the width of the beams to support catamarans of different sizes.
Engineered to last
Roodberg pads are made of polyurethane moulded over a grid. The grid and saddle are manufactured from galvanised steel and optionally the fixing material can be supplied in stainless steel. The hardness of the polyurethane is specifically selected to ensure durability and optimal adaptation to the boat hull at the same time.
www.roodberg.com