What is this thing

[Supa Dexta]

Looking around on google street view and came across this contraption..

https://www.google.com/maps/@54.3319...7i13312!8i6656

whats with the frame work out front? I thought maybe a set up for filming or something? but thats a wild guess and don't see a tow point.

[4WARNED]

looks like a boat yard contraption for launching boats to me.

[bjstare]

It would look like that, except there’s a half of a car bolted to the back.

Not that I have a better idea.

[ExtraSlow]

that would be a bad way to launch boats, the "bunks" need to be a lot higher than the cross pieces to accommodate the v-shape of the hull. Unless it's for a pontoon boat or barge type craft. Still seems like a crazy way to put a boat in the water. Also seems like an unnecessarily complex filming rig, although who knows, it could work for that. Looks insanely heavy duty, so whatever sits on that frame much weigh a ton. Camera equipment should be pretty light, isn't it?

[ThePenIsMightier]

I'll guess "frame for a parade float".

[ExtraSlow]

If I was building a parade float, I'd put the steering system at the front, or just pull it with a tractor because I love tractors. But maybe? I like this idea best so far.

[spikerS]

With how much water is around that vehicle's location, my bet is on some sort of amphibious boat/dock launching/recovery device.

[bjstare]

There's almost zero chance that would work as a boat launch device, unless half of it is missing. The row of 4 wheels at the front actually sits proud of the two rails, a catamaran wouldn't even sit/slide on there.

[Thaco]

It's in a shipyard, it's gotta be a boat launcher of some sort.

Maybe they build boats on that frame with additional shoring customized to the boat and then launch it never intending for the boat to come out of the water.

[Xtrema]

It got brake and reverse lights. Some sort of rear steering, self powered trailer?

[Thaco]

Based on the shape of the "back" of the car, maybe it's like an amphibious boat launcher. Car just backs out in to the lake, trailer is filled with something allowing buoyancy, get deep enough and the boat drives off..

or a barge

[Brent.ff]

It's Rupert, they probably just found it on some guys yard

[Supa Dexta]

Maybe I'll call the number on the front of the building later today and see if anyone knows.

It looks like those two rails on top possibly slide.

[ExtraSlow]

I love the west coast. Or coasts in general. Boats and oceans and shit are cool.

[AndyL]

Yeah, it's for launching boats... I guess some people can't back up a trailer so they've done this. Guy on one of my towing groups is always posting them, builds them out of brand new f150s.

[bjstare]

This quote is hidden because you are ignoring this member. Show Quote

Yeah, it's for launching boats... I guess some people can't back up a trailer so they've done this. Guy on one of my towing groups is always posting them, builds them out of brand new f150s.

Can you explain how it works? Is there a second slider/cart/rack that goes on top of that frame or something? It would be physically impossible to launch a boat off the rack in that picture (as it currently sits).

[Brent.ff]

Why would it be impossible? it's pretty similar to any two bunk boat trailer, and looks like it has a rotation piece in the middle vs having a ball hitch


hell, does it need a rotation piece since the trailer can just do down and thats why they removed the back wheels. The ramp there is likely dead straight being in rupert

[AndyL]

I'd assume those two rails just like a boat trailer secure boat to grille area with winch back up.

[Supa Dexta]

The tires being where the keel of the boat would sit is odd, would make more sense if the inner wheels didn't touch the ground.. When winching the boat up the wheels would need to turn backwards up the ramp at the same time..And then the boat can't sit on the tires. ??

[bjstare]

This quote is hidden because you are ignoring this member. Show Quote

Why would it be impossible? it's pretty similar to any two bunk boat trailer, and looks like it has a rotation piece in the middle vs having a ball hitch

This is why:

This quote is hidden because you are ignoring this member. Show Quote

The tires being where the keel of the boat would sit is odd

Exactly. Theres a set of wheels/tires that not only prevent the keel from sitting between the rails, they actually sit proud of (i.e. above) the rails so you couldn't even put a flat thing on top. Which is what I said before as well, but apparently some people just glossed over it.

I'm not saying this isn't a boat launch contraption... I'm just saying it's probably missing the top half, the piece that actually cradles the boat. What is in the picture cannot cradle a boat.