Hard Standing

[Clyde_Wanderer]

Im about to start fabricating a cradle for my hummingbird 30 fin keel. what I do need to find out for definate is,; Can I have the bulk of her weight sitting on her keel? As I had planned an H shaped frame with an 8" centre channel or RSJ on which I had planned to have the keel sitting , and 4 adjustable legs set diagonally at each corner, (each leg of the H frame) to keep her balanced. Can anyone advice me if this arrangement would be ok without putting any undue stresses on the hull or keel bed area?

 

[TheBoatman]

Eamonn
I drive our clubs Wise travel hoist and have put more than 100 boats to bed over the winter in cradles.
This is what I do!
First, if you have an RSJ under the keel then put timber in it to sit the keel on.
Secondly, lower the boat down until the timber just takes the weight - then screw up your jacks until they are just tight on the hull.
Then let the full weight down and watch to make sure that the hull doesn't deflect to much under the jacks.
What you are looking for is the weight to be down but you can still undo any individual jack, that way the boat is sitting on her keel but can't sag because the jacks won't let her.

Hope this helps

Peter.