Tom,

I took some pictures and made a short video to post over on SA where there are some naysayers. So I am prepared for your question!

The dinghy is an Aquapro 9' aluminum/hypalon hulled RIB with a Yamaha 8 hp outboard. Top speed is about 16 knots with two of us aboard. It slides out on a custom made trailer. The trailer has a carriage and a cradle, which work together like a full extension drawer slide: the cradle moves almost twice the distance that the carriage does, the exact ratio is controlled by rolling on different radii on the bogie wheels:

The front is held down by a Harken traveller car while moving and then is captured by machined SS stops at both extremes which keep it from moving while launching and lock it down while sailing. The trailer cradle is automatically released to tip at the end of travel, and has Delrin stops which support the dinghy during launch and retrieval:

Yes, there are bicycles in there as well, 2 Montague mountain bikes with the front wheels demounted. These are folding bikes, but I found it easier to stow them this way unfolded. I simply lower the seats, roll them in on the back wheel, then lock the fork down with a custom made low profile SS fork lock. The rear wheel is captured by a chock bolted to the mizzen bulkhead. These are full sized, 26 inch wheel, 21 speed, front suspension bikes:

Finally, as to how it works, take a look at the video. I can't seem to imbed it on this site, so you will have to go to YouTube:

http://youtu.be/hc5c7mMlUIk

In a rough anchorage it is a bit more of a wrestle, but hasn't been too bad in the roughest anchorage we have experienced. The dinghy tends to float somewhat in sync with the transom. It is so easy to do that I lift it in anticipation of the slightest of weather, usually don't leave it out at night, and never tow it. In really rough conditions, I would probably not be able to launch or retrieve it, while if you kept it on deck you might still be able to with considerable risk of damage. I shudder at the thought (as does my Awlgrip and varnish) of removing the outboard and hoisting it and the hull on deck alongside while rockin' and rollin'.