Inherited a pair of Yacht Legs - what next?

[Travelling Westerly]

Morning all

I brought a new to me Oceanlord and during the clean out found a nice pair of original and adustable Yacht Legs. The hull already has the spigot/mounting points on and the legs look well used but in good order.

So my questions are, mantenance wise are there any checks I should carry out to confirm they are not going to fold up up like tissue paper when first used? There is the usual corrosion on both the legs, foot plates and mounting points but nothing that looks too serious. Ive oiled and freed up the adjustment handles so they now run well.

Second question is how to use as Im very concerned using them for the first time. I have visions of the boat falling over and pictures of my pride and joy on her side being posted on here with people saying he should have this and that before using them!

It seems that the boat is very large to dry out on just these 2 legs but am assuming its been done many times by previous owner (not around to ask how he did it).

Have been reading Viv Coxs excellent website but would love to hear some comforting words of encourgment from Viv himself prior to trying these legs out.

Thanks all

 

[pcatterall]

Morning all

I brought a new to me Oceanlord and during the clean out found a nice pair of original and adustable Yacht Legs. The hull already has the spigot/mounting points on and the legs look well used but in good order.

So my questions are, mantenance wise are there any checks I should carry out to confirm they are not going to fold up up like tissue paper when first used? There is the usual corrosion on both the legs, foot plates and mounting points but nothing that looks too serious. Ive oiled and freed up the adjustment handles so they now run well.

Second question is how to use as Im very concerned using them for the first time. I have visions of the boat falling over and pictures of my pride and joy on her side being posted on here with people saying he should have this and that before using them!

It seems that the boat is very large to dry out on just these 2 legs but am assuming its been done many times by previous owner (not around to ask how he did it).

Have been reading Viv Coxs excellent website but would love to hear some comforting words of encourgment from Viv himself prior to trying these legs out.

Thanks all

I inherited legs with my previous yacht ( a Colvic Atlanta) I was always wary about having to use them. Unless you are sure that you are on good hard flat sand then there could be issues of the boat leaning and putting excess load on a leg, or scour etc. One good use was when craning to the hard, I used the legs while I fitted my permanent wooden 'cradle'.

 

[scruff]

We used legs on a small lift keel beneteau regularly / and once on a Folkboat.

Basic procedure was -
Check at low tide where you will be drying out - check ground will be firm-ish with no boulders.
have bow pointing up hill to avoid grounding rudder first.
attach legs with bow and sterm lines going to the feet. firm but not bar tight.
run boat up up beach with stern anchor out until boat runs aground.
Sit & have nervous cuppa whilst boat dries.
suddenly realise there is a big gap between your stern swim ladder and the beach...

 

[vyv_cox]

First, check that the grub screws in the adjusting wheels are tight. They should have blue Loctite and be as tight as possible. They can work loose, upon which the leg can fall off the lead screw.

Otherwise, try them first in a known location, flat level sand. You will be amazed how easy and straightfoward the process is, denying all the nay-sayers who tell you how risky they are. I can guarantee that you will be waiting for something to happen before looking down to find the sea now only reaches half way up your keel.

After that you can explore the great benefits of the adjustable legs. It is easy to screw them up or down if the unseen bottom is not perfectly level. We ran aground on a gravel bank in the Morbihan, all shapes due to tidal scour. I was able to put the legs together, fit them and adjust to level the boat before we were dried out.

 

[neil_s]

I have a pair of the cheaper version with no handles on the top. For just one low water, I run the boat onto the chosen hard, keep the motor going slow ahead until the water retreats an inch or two - it amazes me how far the water can go before any sign of tip over starts - fix the legs, setting the length to be just above the ground and then wait. I don't bother with the rigging lines. If you want to stay for several tides, then you need to moor securely and rig the leg lines. Be a bit wary of sand - I found a patch with mud a few inches down and my boat did indeed fall over, although it happened very slowly. Be also wary of tidal flow over your selected spot - It might be difficult to keep the boat stationary over it, and when the legs are rigged the tide can scour material from under the feet - again leading to fall over!

 

[Travelling Westerly]

Guys, thanks all for the help.

Vyv, Ill check those grub screws before anything else!