Can all yachts sit on their keels?

[Refueler]

As I posted .... I have only seen hull deformation due to extra circumstances .... such as 'soft old' hulls ... or as in my boat - the keel to hull joint damaged.

I respect first posts content - but cannot avoid thinking there are other factors to that incident not reported. Maybe OP can say what make / model of boat it was ??

 

[Mark-1]

Nor me.

Ryde

View attachment 167708

Perros


View attachment 167709

The Rance


View attachment 167710

Photographic evidence that Ryde is the sunniest place in Europe.

 

[Rhylsailer99]

Not a problem I have to worry about thankfully. Just pull mine back up into the hull and go really shallow. View attachment 167702

Do you ever worry that there could be a rock directly underneath, I always worry about dropping on the sand in an unknown place.

 

[srm]

Do you ever worry that there could be a rock directly underneath, I always worry about dropping on the sand in an unknown place.

It has been known to happen. The owner of a catamaran, around 30 ft and no keels, described listening to one hull suffering and eventually failing as the boat settled on the only rock in an otherwise sandy bottom. By the time they realised what had happened it was too late to move.

 

[HenrikH]

For some boats, the cradle is designed so that the keel hangs in the air. Probably for a reason.

 

[vyv_cox]

Are crane spreaders no longer used? They were normal practice when we used to hire construction cranes to lift boats out in Shetland.

I think they are more to protect the topsides/toe rails than the hull. Pinching the deck with a single point lift causes all sorts of damage, avoided by use of a spreader. I used to carry lengths of timber wrapped in carpet to protect my wooden toerails, even with use of spreaders. Long time since we were lifted out by crane so no longer needed.

 

[Neeves]

I think they are more to protect the topsides/toe rails than the hull. Pinching the deck with a single point lift causes all sorts of damage, avoided by use of a spreader. I used to carry lengths of timber wrapped in carpet to protect my wooden toerails, even with use of spreaders. Long time since we were lifted out by crane so no longer needed.

In the past, don't know about now, some, many?, all? X-Yachts could be lifted by attaching a threaded eye to a single, long, keel bolt. The eye was connected to a shackle and an endless kevlar strop passed through a deck gland in the cabin roof. The Kevlar strop was then attached to a crane hook, arm of a fork lift and the yacht lifted with this single point attachment. Sometimes to get the balance right a 25l container of water was needed on the bow.

Jonathan

 

[pandos]

In the past, don't know about now, some, many?, all? X-Yachts could be lifted by attaching a threaded eye to a single, long, keel bolt. The eye was connected to a shackle and an endless kevlar strop passed through a deck gland in the cabin roof. The Kevlar strop was then attached to a crane hook, arm of a fork lift and the yacht lifted with this single point attachment. Sometimes to get the balance right a 25l container of water was needed on the bow.

Jonathan

The old Dufour 35 also has a lifting eye in the bilge. Balance was achieved by two strops onto the sheet winches.

 

[Neeves]

The old Dufour 35 also has a lifting eye in the bilge. Balance was achieved by two strops onto the sheet winches.

IN HK, well known for its regard to H&S, - the water container was dispensed with (fresh water is a scarce and expensive commodity) with a dock yard employee who would stand forward of the lifting strop (after a few lifts he knew where to stand). Such employees had a lovely title, which I'm not allowed to print here.

or maybe

Jonathan

 

[Refueler]

In the past, don't know about now, some, many?, all? X-Yachts could be lifted by attaching a threaded eye to a single, long, keel bolt. The eye was connected to a shackle and an endless kevlar strop passed through a deck gland in the cabin roof. The Kevlar strop was then attached to a crane hook, arm of a fork lift and the yacht lifted with this single point attachment. Sometimes to get the balance right a 25l container of water was needed on the bow.

Jonathan

My Conqubin 38 has a single lift point using the two of the keel bolts.

A blanking piece is in deckhead to allow the strop to enter ... the strop was supplied with the boat by builder ... and is still on board. But I decline to use ... boat / strop is from 1983.

 

[Neeves]

My Conqubin 38 has a single lift point using the two of the keel bolts.

A blanking piece is in deckhead to allow the strop to enter ... the strop was supplied with the boat by builder ... and is still on board. But I decline to use ... boat / strop is from 1983.

Tested, or certificated textile, lifting strops are common place, replacing chain in a variety of applications. There should be a, industrial, retail outlet near you.

Jonathan

 

[14K478]

To judge by her behaviour when in the slings of a Travelift, mine might well put her nose down if dried out alongside a wall, so I don't plan to try it.

 

[dunedin]

In the past, don't know about now, some, many?, all? X-Yachts could be lifted by attaching a threaded eye to a single, long, keel bolt. The eye was connected to a shackle and an endless kevlar strop passed through a deck gland in the cabin roof. The Kevlar strop was then attached to a crane hook, arm of a fork lift and the yacht lifted with this single point attachment. Sometimes to get the balance right a 25l container of water was needed on the bow.

Jonathan

I think all X Yachts still have that system. Assume it is due to the Baltic harbours tendency not to have travel hoists, but fixed gantry cranes instead (and no tides).
Doubt if this is ever used outside the Baltic.

 

[Refueler]

I think all X Yachts still have that system. Assume it is due to the Baltic harbours tendency not to have travel hoists, but fixed gantry cranes instead (and no tides).
Doubt if this is ever used outside the Baltic.

Interesting theory - but likely an extrapolation that is hard to confirm ...

I have known single point lifts in UK - not common I admit. I have yet to see a single point lift in Baltic ...... if they don't have travel sling lifts - the fixed cranes usually have a metal sling frame ....

Examples :

Ventspils up to 12T self powered travel lift :

Pavilosta 20T but fixed.. with square sling frame :

Common crane lift if not available :

 

[Refueler]

Tested, or certificated textile, lifting strops are common place, replacing chain in a variety of applications. There should be a, industrial, retail outlet near you.

Jonathan

Yes - correct .... but with a decent self-powered travel hoist in Ventspils - I see no reason to use a single point lift ....

If I was to use such - I still need to get Marina / Yard to accept its use and that of the crane to enter yard. When I showed it to Yard Manager - he was interested to look over the boat when I first bought and arrived with it ... he said that he would not accept liability to use and anyway - no way to connect to his travel hoist.

 

[dunedin]

Interesting theory - but likely an extrapolation that is hard to confirm ...

I have known single point lifts in UK - not common I admit. I have yet to see a single point lift in Baltic ...... if they don't have travel sling lifts - the fixed cranes usually have a metal sling frame ....

Not the best photos as done in the dark, but example of recent launch of new X Yacht at their yard at Haderslev - using their fixed crane lift and single point as always ….
News from X-Yachts - Launch of the X56

Similar cranes are in lots of places - but generally also have spreader bars and straps available

 

[Refueler]

Not the best photos as done in the dark, but example of recent launch of new X Yacht at their yard at Haderslev - using their fixed crane lift and single point as always ….
News from X-Yachts - Launch of the X56

Similar cranes are in lots of places - but generally also have spreader bars and straps available

Not being rude ... but that's builder .... and its the "one example doesn't mean all yards" ......

As you agree - most now use spreader frames - this has come about because there are many other build boats floating round in Baltic that cannot single point lift .... I would suggest probably more boats that cannot single point lift .....

 

[Neeves]

Not being rude ... but that's builder .... and its the "one example doesn't mean all yards" ......

As you agree - most now use spreader frames - this has come about because there are many other build boats floating round in Baltic that cannot single point lift .... I would suggest probably more boats that cannot single point lift .....

Many yards lift MoBos with big fork lifts, with very long forks. The single lift point sling of continuous Kevlar slips neatly over one of the forks (you just need to ensure the other fork does not foul the mast or rigging).

A single crane is significantly cheaper than investing in the infrastructure for a common place travel hoist and single cranes can be hired easily, if a yard does not have a travel hoist. The strops are certificated.

Its not quite the same but Seawind cats were lifted for shipment (they are built in Vietnam) using a crane and a bridle to the two bow cleats and then loaded as deck cargo.

Dyneema chain is common place.

Murlink Synthetic Lifting & Lashing Chain

and been around for years.

Jonathan

 

[Refueler]

Many yards lift MoBos with big fork lifts, with very long forks. The single lift point sling of continuous Kevlar slips neatly over one of the forks (you just need to ensure the other fork does not foul the mast or rigging).

A single crane is significantly cheaper than investing in the infrastructure for a common place travel hoist and single cranes can be hired easily, if a yard does not have a travel hoist. The strops are certificated.

Its not quite the same but Seawind cats were lifted for shipment (they are built in Vietnam) using a crane and a bridle to the two bow cleats and then loaded as deck cargo.

Dyneema chain is common place.

Murlink Synthetic Lifting & Lashing Chain

and been around for years.

Jonathan

There are many ways to do it .... and the crane / truck with manipulator is one of the easiest options.

I spent most of my shipboard career on Tankers and Bulk Carriers .... but also with RoRo out of Miami .... some cargo was mmmmm ???????? going to Central America ... but anyway - we often carried MoBo's down to CA for DEA and of course private buyers ... the lift on board being various depending on size / dimensions. Common was to have on a roller cradle .... craned to weather deck as they were too high to transit through decks / lifts ... and then manoeuvred to securing position. Overcentre chains then locking cradle in place.

In fact we hated carrying cars and boats ... they were a pain and slowed our loading / discharge. Usually ship had to move berth for DEA stuff ... great way to be secret about them to anyone watching !!!

The move berth could be for a boat ... or for 40ft truck trailers of ?????? cargo ... usual cargo was tally'd on by dock guys ... but these 'specials' had different guys with crewcut hair that didn't interfere with the spiral wound earphone ... smart trousers that had an argument with ankles ...
If we spoke to any of them ... they would just say - (boat) just sport fisherman looking for a few days down there ... (trucks) expensive machinery !! Yeh Yeh Yeh .... bet that machinery made loud bangs !!!
In discharge Port ... we would again be on a different berth for that 'special cargo' .....

 

[Poignard]

There are many ways to do it .... and the crane / truck with manipulator is one of the easiest options.

I spent most of my shipboard career on Tankers and Bulk Carriers .... but also with RoRo out of Miami .... some cargo was mmmmm ???????? going to Central America ... but anyway - we often carried MoBo's down to CA for DEA and of course private buyers ... the lift on board being various depending on size / dimensions. Common was to have on a roller cradle .... craned to weather deck as they were too high to transit through decks / lifts ... and then manoeuvred to securing position. Overcentre chains then locking cradle in place.

In fact we hated carrying cars and boats ... they were a pain and slowed our loading / discharge. Usually ship had to move berth for DEA stuff ... great way to be secret about them to anyone watching !!!

The move berth could be for a boat ... or for 40ft truck trailers of ?????? cargo ... usual cargo was tally'd on by dock guys ... but these 'specials' had different guys with crewcut hair that didn't interfere with the spiral wound earphone ... smart trousers that had an argument with ankles ...
If we spoke to any of them ... they would just say - (boat) just sport fisherman looking for a few days down there ... (trucks) expensive machinery !! Yeh Yeh Yeh .... bet that machinery made loud bangs !!!
In discharge Port ... we would again be on a different berth for that 'special cargo' .....

That reminds me of when I was 2nd Engineer in m/v 'Gomba Victoria' and we carried a deck cargo of MOT-failed cars and lorries from Felixstowe to Barbados.

I wonder if they are still being driven around the island.