Patent ID: 8221039

Claim:
A latching device for latching a boat to a trailer by coupling to a boat coupling part of the boat, wherein the latching device comprises: a movable latching element with a catch part; and a biasing means operable to bias the latching element towards a first position, and wherein the latching element has a cam surface which, under engagement by forward movement of a laterally extending cross-piece of said boat coupling part there against, is displaced from said first position to a second position permitting the cross-piece to pass the catch part and to be located at an unlatched location, whereafter which the biasing means biases the latching element back towards said first position, and wherein the latching element latches the cross-piece by the catch part under reverse movement of the boat coupling part; and a mounting part for attachment to said trailer, wherein said latching element is pivotally mounted to the mounting part; and wherein said biasing means comprises a weight which is movably locatable on the latching element to one of a first location and a second location for selectively biasing the latching element at least to said first position and to said second position under gravitational influence.