Launching  

Boats are normally launched when the tide is on the sand. Launching/beaching when the tide is on the shingle runs the risk of swamping the boat in anything but a flat calm sea. The shingle on the beach can on occasions be very soft, however, providing the tractors are kept in low gear they normally pull members boats up without problem – albeit slowly.

The beach at Silecroft is accessed from the Car Park where toilet facilities are available and the club has a notice board.

Members boats (upto 18’-0”, subject to weight) are launched from Silecroft beach using the club tractors. All new members are given instruction on using the tractors before being allowed to launch their own boats. Non members used to be able to pay SCSSA a small fee to be launched and a local owner of a tractor used to offer a similar service. However, for insurance purposes these services are no longer available and to launch at Silecroft you must be a member of SCSSA or run the risk of getting your own vehicle stuck (Note: 4x4 vehicles get stuck fairly regular!).

Both the clubs tractors date from 1975, have 3,594cc / 72hp diesel engines and are virtually identical other than the high / low gearboxes.

They have been modified by fitting 18” rear tyres (inflated to 5 psi) to improve grip on the shingle and tow balls on the front for pushing trailers (if preferred) when launching from the shingle.