Skylark
Well-Known Member
Looking around most yards the Yacht Legs cradle seems to be a popular choice. I've had my 6-leg version for about 5 or 6 years.
With apologies to any of you that already follow this practice.
Soon after the annual launch I dismantle the cradle and take home the adjusting bottle screws. I've always greased the threads (but evidently not properly). As she was put into the cradle at the end of last season one of the yard guys told me that one of my adjusters had seized. My boat is now back in the water so it's time to investigate the problem. To cut a long story short it is necessary each year to completely unscrew and remove the right and left hand threaded ball joins, give them a wire brushing, regrease and reinsert. I've since discovered that it is known for the bottom of the threads to seize inside the housing. Although all 6 adjusters (12 threads) rotated freely around the middle of their range, 4 threads were completely seized after a few more turns. It look lots of Plus Gas, heat and a huge, 2m long bar to eventually free them.
I now know that maintaining the cradle needs to include full removal of the ball joints.
With apologies to any of you that already follow this practice.
Soon after the annual launch I dismantle the cradle and take home the adjusting bottle screws. I've always greased the threads (but evidently not properly). As she was put into the cradle at the end of last season one of the yard guys told me that one of my adjusters had seized. My boat is now back in the water so it's time to investigate the problem. To cut a long story short it is necessary each year to completely unscrew and remove the right and left hand threaded ball joins, give them a wire brushing, regrease and reinsert. I've since discovered that it is known for the bottom of the threads to seize inside the housing. Although all 6 adjusters (12 threads) rotated freely around the middle of their range, 4 threads were completely seized after a few more turns. It look lots of Plus Gas, heat and a huge, 2m long bar to eventually free them.
I now know that maintaining the cradle needs to include full removal of the ball joints.