Rival 41C - Reliable Shoring Instructions and Simple Cradle Ideas Required

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The text below has been placed in the wanted section. However, this post is about home made cradles (as well as blatant visibility of my 'wanted' advert).

I reckon the Rival will sit on her keel for a year, or until the cows come home, without any hogging or sagging, period. So in effect I just need a base plate and two uprights at her beam to stop her from falling over i.e. as if she was leaning on a pile at low tide. Am I wrong to assume this and even a quite solid hull like the Rival's will hog/sag?

I have now found a factory yard that will lend me a corner near my home. The yard ground is hard packed gravel. Does anyone have any guidelines that they could share for shoring up the yacht with logs. I have a vague understanding from when she has been shored at the marina, but no facts or details. The main disadvantage of this method is that she will be exposed from the south and shores require to be inspected from time to time and I will be away from home every second month, for a month. However, the cost of a new cradle, transportation each way, is beginning to mount up, so secure shoring is an option I would like to explore.

Any comments or ideas for low cost cradles (I have cash, can travel) would also be appreciated.

As always, thanks for the advice,

BlowingOldBoots

______________________________________________________________
The Wanted Advert: http://www.ybw.com/forums/showthread.php?366515-Cradle-Wanted-For-A-Rival-41C

Hi,

I am looking for a cradle for my Rival 41C. She will support herself quite easily sitting on her encapsulated keel, so anything from a base plate with two side bars to a full blown multi legged cradle will be considered.

It would preferable if the cradle can be dismantled for transportation in a car trailer and handled manually.

The boat is 41' LOA x 12' Beam, 6' draught and 22000 lbs

Thanks,

BlowingOldBoots
 
this one on ebay might be a bit on the light side but will be much better than logs. Especially as the Rival will stand very steadily on some transverse timbers under the keel.

It finishes at 2000 tonight !!!


http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Yacht-Cra...tEquipment_Accessories_SM&hash=item4610d8f741


I've bought two similar off ebay and if you are prepared to wait and pounce, they do come cheap, as people want to get rid of them when they finish a project.



The alternative is have a couple of RSJs each approx 1/3 in the way in from the bow and stern, and four heavy-duty ratchet straps running from the end of the RSJ to the gunwhale. You can pad the hooks of the ratchets straps, or even attach them to something solid e.g. windlass. Cheap and effective, however needs to be secure from inquisitive fingers.
 
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You might consider fitting a pair of Yachtlegs in addition to shoring. I would be wary of shoring on a gravel base, particularly if it is exposed and you leave the mast up. Many yards have now stopped using shores at the insistence of insurance companies. As well as being securely chocked they need to be braced for and aft and athwartships. A purpose built cradle will be about £2k new. Might be a good long term investment.
 
I will keep a look out on eBay sarabande, the example you give is indeed too light; the RSJs and base plate sound like a plan. The mast will be down Tranona. I have considered yacht legs based on Vyv Cox's experience of winter storage on land in Holland but the cost for the Rival (8' adjustable, aluminium legs) is more than a new cradle. That is a good point about the gravel, ok with a big fat tyre, less stable when a shore is acting at a bit of an angle - it could start to give. The conclusion I am reaching is that a portable, new cradle might be a good idea.
 
4 Accro props and scaffolding poles and clamps would be my choice, four supports all cross braced into a unitary structure,and tied together around the ground level -boxing in the keel if you like- and all will stack neatly on a flat trailer.
By all means set the boat up on wooden blocks but steel is the way to go for wind and wobble and unknown settlement.IMO
 
I made my own from 4x1 and 4x2. I had a rough idea of the lengths i would need and made it up on site with coach bolts.
Just 2 sort of A frames and the some light timber to cross brace them. I painted them up to preserve them and used them for several seasons.
The old method of pit prop supports is fine provided that you can brace then so they dont fall over.
 
I made a cradle from scaffold poles, acros and the fittings used to make park rails/handholds. Albeit mine is for a 28ft fin & skeg job, but in theory the props aren't supposed to carry any weight are they? In your case, I'd probably suggest three props each side rather than the two I used.

http://i780.photobucket.com/albums/yy87/rob2hook/Mojo - my Weston 8500/cradle3-1.jpg
http://i780.photobucket.com/albums/yy87/rob2hook/Mojo - my Weston 8500/cradlemojo-1.jpg

I also had a local packaging company knock up some full strength ratchet straps to brace the legs and cradle the hull.

Rob.
 
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Great cradle! Where did you get the fittings and acrows from? Did you have to cut the plates off the top and bottom of the across?
 
All the fittings are available from Plumbcentre and the acros and tubes from any scaffolding supplier. The acros are indeed cut down both ends and then they mate with a stub of scaffolding pole at the bottom and the upper (thinner) end takes standard scaffold fittings. Of course, if you can get second hand bits from a friendly builder, the price drops tremendously. Poles can be cut with care with a 9" angle grinder - wellie boots will make the blade bounce off should you slip, but it still inflicts a nasty bruise!

Rob.
 
Blueboatman said:
4 Accro props and scaffolding poles and clamps would be my choice, four supports all cross braced into a unitary structure,and tied together around the ground level -boxing in the keel if you like- and all will stack neatly on a flat trailer.
By all means set the boat up on wooden blocks but steel is the way to go for wind and wobble and unknown settlement.IMO
Click to expand...

+1. I've been using this system for the last 26 years for 3 different boats, masts up. However, it has two levels of bracing - one just above ground level and an upper one that just clears the underside of the hull.
View attachment 35344

For a 41 footer, I might consider using a system based on 6x Acro props.
 
BlowingOldBoots,

I happened to notice on my club notice board yesterday a shore cradle for a 35' boat for sale, £325.

As it's not relevant to me I didn't take in much more detail except it looked the part in the photo, I dont know if it would suit your 41' but it's not that much extra ???; the club is in Chichester Harbour but with good main road access, the wrong end of the country for you I know but I thought I'd mention it if only for comparison.
 
BlowingOldBoots said:
I will keep a look out on eBay sarabande, the example you give is indeed too light; the RSJs and base plate sound like a plan. The mast will be down Tranona. I have considered yacht legs based on Vyv Cox's experience of winter storage on land in Holland but the cost for the Rival (8' adjustable, aluminium legs) is more than a new cradle. That is a good point about the gravel, ok with a big fat tyre, less stable when a shore is acting at a bit of an angle - it could start to give. The conclusion I am reaching is that a portable, new cradle might be a good idea.
Click to expand...

I wintered ashore on Yacht Legs which, as you say, are extremely expensive. However, for a later over-winter, I had two spigots turned to match the ones on the legs and welded them to two scaffolding poles cut to the correct length. I also welded a couple of plates on the ends to prevent them from digging into the ground. Not suitable for carrying on board of course, but that was never the intention. The YL sockets are expensive, £130 when I last looked, but they would be quite simple to make.
 
vyv_cox said:
I wintered ashore on Yacht Legs which, as you say, are extremely expensive. However, for a later over-winter, I had two spigots turned to match the ones on the legs and welded them to two scaffolding poles cut to the correct length. I also welded a couple of plates on the ends to prevent them from digging into the ground. Not suitable for carrying on board of course, but that was never the intention. The YL sockets are expensive, £130 when I last looked, but they would be quite simple to make.
Click to expand...

The boat next door to us for the last few winters is supported by yacht legs, and has twice moved enough to dislodge its other few shores. Luckily it hasn't fallen over yet, but I wish the yard owner would enforce his usual rule that boats must be in cradles. I made a cradle using steel angles and six Acro props, and my 36ft ketch sits snug and secure with her masts up.
 
Thanks everyone for looking out and offering ideas, it's really appreciated. I purchased a cradle on eBay which consists of a base plate, 4 outriggers and 4 adjustable beam supports using the Acro prop type screws. I cant remember the maker but I have seen a few around the marinas. It is also portable, but heavy, the base plate is a four man job to lift, but at least it can be moved in a 8'x4' trailer.

Once again, thanks and best regards,

BlowingOldBoots
 
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