Size of cradle for a 31ft fin keeler (rant)

[MoodySabre]

I’ve had my boat for 16 years and I bought with it a Jacobs 4 leg cradle. I don’t use it most winters but last year a mate with an Oceanis 31 used it rather than pay the marina for using one of theirs. There is a new boat handler at the marina, the previous one having retired. They refuse to put my boat in my cradle unless I buy extra props. They say it will not be sufficiently stable and a risk to other boats. So if I want to come out, which I do for a new engine, then I’ll have to go in one of their cradles which will cost me an extra £132.

Backed into a corner. Cradle for sale I guess. Grrr.

 

[James_Calvert]

Why can't they put in an extra pair of props at the front or back, independent of the cradle?

Whether you need them or not....

 

[Wansworth]

Becoming like the Americans,insured up to the hilt in case a punter brings in a lawyer,cannot do anything without the lawyers now

 

[ashtead]

Health and safety has a habit of catching up with everyone I guess?

 

[doug748]

Sounds very random, won't they let you bang some extra props in? I have an undersized cradle and that is what I do. Poppets are quite easy to make and work very well, you can see the undersized job and the two legged props stacked at the back ready to use:








Mind you £132 does not sound too bad, though they are, in effect, condemning your cradle. It would be nice to tell them to sod off......I might cough up and plan my revenge exit to somewhere else.



.

 

[Amlov]

The boatyard I use put me in a nice sturdy cradle, than add six wooden props. They say it is their policy that all boats have to have extra props in addition to the cradle. These are just lengths of 3” by 3” and I don’t see why a similar approach shouldn’t be acceptable in your case.

 

[Sandy]

Have you asked them what regulations have changed since it was last used?

 

[RunAgroundHard]

The good thing about the Jacobs 4 leg is that the base is much wider than the beam, plus the props that support the hull are braced from the outside edge of the cradle. I have a similar one to the OPs and placed my 41' yacht on it during a refit and it sat for three years in an exposed position with some F10 winds battering the boat. They are strong and stable (a good political alliteration comment (-; )

Last winter, a large yacht at a sister marina, very expensive yacht, was knocked over, when another yacht blew over on its cradle. All had stupid narrow base cradles supplied by the marina.

In my view, if the boat can sit on its keel, the Jacobs 4 Leg is a strong and secure cradle. I do use wooden props to satisfy the marina, they place them fore and aft under the bow and stern to shore up. But they are not required based on my experience.

 

[MoodySabre]

Have you asked them what regulations have changed since it was last used?

No regulations. This is the decision of the new boat handlers. I would expect the owners to support their decision.

 

[Daydream believer]

No regulations. This is the decision of the new boat handlers. I would expect the owners to support their decision.

Roger. My boat is similar to yours & last year went into a 4 legged stand. This year it is a 6 leg with a couple of extra supports. What they did last year was add 2 large timbers. fitted to the shroud bases. They do that to several boats. You will find the rule suddenly relaxes when they get short of cradles.
However, It is pointless arguing with the staff. But you could just ask Boyzy.

 

[DownWest]

Sounds very random, won't they let you bang some extra props in? I have an undersized cradle and that is what I do. Poppets are quite easy to make and work very well, you can see the undersized job and the two legged props stacked at the back ready to use:




View attachment 144693



Mind you £132 does not sound too bad, though they are, in effect, condemning your cradle. It would be nice to tell them to sod off......I might cough up and plan my revenge exit to somewhere else.



.

The problem with anything home made is how do they know it is strong enough? That leads to Insurance problems.
I just had this. I built a yard trailer for a 27ft 4.5 ton boat about 7 yrs ago. It has been used a lot, including (cough, cough) on the road for winter storage.
Recently, the boat was sold and a low loader turned up to cart it to the new owner. Driver point blank refused to load it. Pictures and dimensions had been sent, but he had not seen them.
I knew it is perfectly strong enough, as a one time commercal trailer builder, but proving it is another matter.
In the end he came back on another day and just put two huge ratchet straps over the boat an trailer. Delivered without problem. But, I understood his situation.

 

[John 32i]

Roger - Speak to Jacobs - great guys, very helpful and I seem to recall that they can adapt or add supports to any of their cradles.
Based in Kirton near Levington.

 

[Sandy]

No regulations. This is the decision of the new boat handlers. I would expect the owners to support their decision.

Sounds all a bit wishy washy.

 

[MoodySabre]

Roger - Speak to Jacobs - great guys, very helpful and I seem to recall that they can adapt or add supports to any of their cradles.
Based in Kirton near Levington.

A bow support is £490. I dont usually come out in the winter as the charges are too high. I come out somewhere else on a summer deal Or just a summer scrub. The joys of coppercoat which has saved its cost over the last 8 seasons.

 

[MoodySabre]

Roger. My boat is similar to yours & last year went into a 4 legged stand. This year it is a 6 leg with a couple of extra supports. What they did last year was add 2 large timbers. fitted to the shroud bases. They do that to several boats. You will find the rule suddenly relaxes when they get short of cradles.
However, It is pointless arguing with the staff. But you could just ask Boyzy.

Hi Sam. They charge £50 a year to store your own cradle. A few years ago they asked if they could use mine as they were short. I’ve never been charged since.
This year it was rules made by Debs and Adam. (I assume Boyze is Adam, son of Bob). Ian would have just tied some planks to the sides. Hey ho. I await their phone call. I have offered it a friend with a 26ftr to borrow.

 

[bignick]

Jacobs are still going strong. I’d echo the recommendation above to ask them whether your cradle is suitable for your yacht. If the answer comes back negatIve then you can ask them what is required to make it so. If the answer comes back positive then you can provide the evidence to the yard and ask why the manufacturer’s design is inadequate.

 

[MoodySabre]

I went to the boat yesterday. They have put her in a four leg cradle that is identical to mine! The boat crew were working - most unusual on a Saturday afternoon - but I don’t want to fall out with them. Will speak to the office tomorrow.