Civil Engineers

[alahol2]

I'm in the process of removing my old engine, a Volvo MD7A. I've removed everything I can (can't budge the flywheel) including the head, exhaust manifold etc. Managed to slide it along a plank out of the engine bay into the cabin.
I now have to lift it about 6feet straight up, maneouvre it out of the cabin and into the cockpit. Then up and over the side. There's not enough room to get people around it to manhandle it out. I've thought of a pair of scaffolding tubes stood on the side decks, tied together over the centreline (maybe 10ft above the cabin floor) And stayed fore and aft. A block and tackle to lift the engine up, then tilt the sheerlegs back toward the cockpit and lower the engine. At the moment the plan stops there.
Am I OK so far? and what then...?


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[jeffro]

you dont say if the boat is ashore well mine is and ive just done it the way you described only my scaffold tubes were on the ground so when the engine was lifted into the cockpit it was just a matter of sliding the block and tackle 4 feet to port and then making a lift over the gunnels and then lower it to the ground of course this wont work if your afloat you will then need to find a very good friend with a small inflaitable and drop it into that if you go for the second option can i sell the tickets?

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[Joe_Cole]

As a thought. You can hire mobile cranes (hand operated) to get engines out of cars. Maybe if you could get one into the cockpit?
Just a thought, but I don't know if it would work.

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[Jcorstorphine]

I feel you should work through the operation and ask the question at each stage, what if? You need to predict what could go wrong and how to make sure that no one is in a position where they could be injured.

You should also examine the resultant forces as the sheerlegs are lowered back towards the cockpit. What is going to retain the sheerlegs in position? Consider the fact that you have three forces at work, the tension in the forestay, the thrust of the sheerlegs down onto the deck and the downward force of the engine.

Initially when the sheerlegs are almost vertical there is not much of a problem but as you start to angle back towards the cockpit, the resultant forces will push the heel of the sheerlegs towards the bow and the force on the forestay will increase.

I know I am an old Fa*$@ but things can happen very quickly and even a small engine can do a lot of damage.

regards JohnC



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[Talbot]

I lift my engine using a block and tackle suspended from the boom, and with the topping lift doubled up. I use steadying lines to each side and once engine is clear of the gunwhale, I ease of on one side and haul in the other until engine and boom are clear of the boat, then lower slowly to floor (or whatever), but suspect my engine may be lighter than yours, although that should not really make any difference.

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[alahol2]

Thanks so far.
Joe-cole: I suspect the crane may weigh as much as the engine, but I'll certainly check it out, it has possibilities.
Talbot: Unfortunately boat is ashore with mast and boom on deck, otherwise I'd definitely be doing as you suggest.
JohnC: Agree with all you say, trying to think of all the horrible possibilities in the hope of forestalling them.
Jeffro: Did you use a pole on either side and a cross piece? I thought of this but was unsure whether a cross piece could take the weight. At it's highest the engine would be about 10ft above ground level and I was worried that the whole structure woud flex uncontollably.
Just in case somebody suggests a hi-ab, I'm surrounded by other boats!
Alan


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[Talbot]

If you are surrounded by other boats, what is the chance that one of them may still have their mast up, and that their boom will reach?

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[alahol2]

Sorry, not allowed in our yard...but it does mean I can press gang as many hands as I need.

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[Avocet]

Can you still get the boat hoist to the boat or are the other boats now in the way? If you can, the masting crane on many of the larger travelling boat hoists will have a safe working load of half a ton or so - plenty for what you's want. Failing that, I guess some sort of "wigwam" of sacffolding poles over the hatch is your best bet!

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[alahol2]

The way we're packed in I'll be lucky to get a wheelbarrow through the gaps.

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[boatmike]

Take it apart and throw the bits over the side one at a time!

By the way, there is no such thing as a "civil" engineer, we are all rude buggers......

Seriously though if you have scaffold poles and clips put a couple of verticals down to the ground 3 feet or so behind the boat. Rig a horizontal pole above the cockpit back to these "goalposts" and brace it up as a runner with a loop of chain around to take the block and tackle. Properly cross braced so as not to cantilever you should be able to slide the chain over the pole even with the engines weight on it if you rig a loop of rope from the end, around the cross brace of the goalpost and back to halve the effort. Done it before. Trust me, I'm an Engineer
If you need to borrow some scaffold I have a load in Lee-on-Solent.

<hr width=100% size=1><P ID="edit"><FONT SIZE=-1>Edited by boatmike on 02/11/2004 08:10 (server time).</FONT></P>

 

[alahol2]

Thanks all
I'll put all the ideas to the yard 'committee' at the club and I expect they'll ignore them all and suggest something like a helicopter!
If I manage to get the engine out without killing me, the boat, bystanders or small dogs I'll write it up in a book and advertise here so all can buy.
Cheers all
Alan


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[robind]

Angle a scaffold board into the cabin from the deck. using a "Comealong" winch the engine up the board at a strategic point ( where the leverage is sufficient to enable you to do so. if no point is reached insert a fulcrum across the seating or similar ) lift the lower end of the board and deposit the engine over the side on to a couple of old tyres. Job done, I have done this with a 4108 and two people!
Rob

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[Gunfleet]

A guy who does it for a living round here uses a fork lift truck with the tackle off the raised forks. The ultimate in manoevreability.

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[boatmike]

Assuming he is going to re-engine at some point how will you lift the new one on board? Gravity only works in one direction...... A block and tackle mounted on a scaffold frame works both ways, is far safer, and does not require so much grunt.

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[alahol2]

I must admit, the scaffold board might just work if I can get the engine far enough back into the cabin. I don't think the layout will allow it. Can't tell until I get there at the weekend. The new engine is about half the weight of the old one and much more compact. I was going to slide it aboard up a scaffold board resting on a ladder then more or less manhandle it into the cabin, although, again I may be able to slide it down a scaffold board.
Yet more food for thought...


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