How will they launch the boat though?

One can only imagine!!

If they are going to pull them by hand get some poly sewer/ drainage pipe , split it down one side and fit it over the gunwhale of the side of the boat they want to pull from. The larger diameter pipe means the less effort needed to pull the pot up, sound weird but it works. The hard bit is getting the pot from the water over the gunwhale.

If they're going to use a capstan, mount it on the opposite side so it is a direct pull across to where the poly pipe or tipper, if you get one, will be situated.

Cheers John & Grant, 50% pot weight should not be too much work for them.

John ever an issue with the pots hitting the hull with the pipe? Can see how the cray pot tipper would work to avoid that but the pipe as well?? Will certainly mount a Capstan on opposite gunwhale, don't think there is any other way around it.

lamby ..as carnarvonite mentioned the hardest part is not getting the pot up to the boat gunwhale , but actually getting it up and into the boat !!

i use heavy steel based pro size slat pots ....mainly off the margs coast ..

putting the split polly pipe on the side of the gunwhale you pulll the pot in definitly helps them slide into the boat easier , i also put in a small rope [frank handle ] in between the usual bridle , in exactly the same way as the bridle rope is attached ........just closer together

on each pot inbetween the bridle rope , drill two holes 16 cm apart ....thread in some 10 mm cray rope or soft rope and tie it off the same as the bridle ...you doen want to use something smaller as it will cut your hands , and can break on ya after some months usage .........nothign worse than having this small handle break while your heaving on a pot to get it into the boat ......pot goes back down quick as and you go arse over kettle backwards in the boat

anyway ...the idea of putting the small rope handle in , is to allow you to use your legs muscles more when hauling the pot in over the side .......if you are just holding the bridle ropes , you end up having your arms up very high above your head and your back muscles take the pressure

the rope handle , lowers the arms extension and allows you to use the biggest leg muscles to pull the pot up at the last stage, usually when your feeling  it the most  as you haul it in the boat ........

if you dont have aboat seat to slide the pot onto ?? directly opposite where you pull them in , then get apiece of 30 mm thick x 200 mm wide plank and cut it to lenght to fit your boats inside gunwhale measurement ...usually if its a tinnie you can slide the plank into the gunwhale slot that runs along the full side ...the pot will just sit on it with min handling for stability , untill you are ready to re set them

if its abigger boat , drill two holes in the flush of your gunwhale and just drop two stainless bolts into it to hold the plank in place while you pull pots then remove it and lay the plank down one side when you head out to go fishing .....

ps to stop pot thievs ........burn or grind your ID numbers into each end at the top of your pots on the timber or plastic frame .........damm hard to remove if you  scrib them on with a texture then cut em in with angle grinder as deep as you can

id post pics but not sur ehow on here ..... but you can pm me if you want ill email you

hezzy

How will the old boys go launching at Canals? Not easy at the best of times.

No point putting pots in the bay its a waist of time.

I can always lend a hand , but it will come at a cost of a couple of crays.

No launch at canals for them, will let ya know where they have been positioned mate. Going to drop any pots this year yourself?

lamby .......no probs with the steel base slattys holding bottom in a big swell .....but make sure you have at least one fish plate in em as well ........bolted in not tied etc

iv have used em from canal /inji down along robbies reef /junipers ,gracetown , margs -augusta with no big losses ...trick is imo to stay away from the big heavy breaks and in the 8 -10 m + zones ......they will handle and hold ok even in a big swell ......just make sure you use plenty of rope as well

you get just as many crays , without the hassles and hairy situations that can arise ...pot stuck etc ..if you must pot on the big stuff , do it away from the reef breaks .....

my rule of thumb was no pot is worth the risk to yourself or the crew ....crays will still be in the pot a few days later

way to easy to get a rope wrapped around your prop on a doggy day , or your pulling  a pot of with the boat and you get a big lifter rip through towards you .....

not had any pots stolen for years , but have had them ratted a bit.......not possible to stop it unless your there 24/7  i just go as often as possible , early or late  doesnt matter

keep em heavy and it helps , as most thieves are lazy bastards ,

good luck  hezzy

A little bit left of center idea from someone who has no idea about crabbing or cray pots.

What about a davit style arm on a swivel base that mounts to something like an outrigger reciever in the gunnel ? Still use the capstan to haul the pot but once it gets to the top of the arm it can simply be swung on board and the capstan backed off. ?