Yacht cradles

[bobgosling]

I have a 28ft Seal ( fin keel rather than the more normal lifting keel ).

I was enquiring about a winter lift-out but the boatyard need me to provide my own cradle.

I don't need ( read - can't afford ) a snazy bespoke cradle. I noticed a couple of other boats on cradles which appear to be home-made out of scaffolding poles and connectors. Does anyone know where to get one of those or something of similar design.

I am a total DIY numpty so if you know of anyone who could build one for a REASONABLE price please let me know !

Thanks

 

[Poignard]

I looked into this a few years ago. I intended to make one out of scaffolding components and had a firm near Southampton recommended to me [ this one, I think it was] ], very helpful and seemed to know what was needed.

In the end I didn't go for the home made scaffolding job but opted for a conventional one, made from rectangular hollow sections and Acrow prop jacks, by Pepi Boatyard on Hayling Island. Their price was very competitive and the quality of work very good. My boat is also 28 feet long so they may still have the measurents on file.

 

[chuzzlewit]

DIY: 4 acroprops linked by light angle iron(after all, it will be in tension)

 

[rob2]

I have built two such cradles from scaffolding components. Ask around for supplies of second hand poles - otherwise the whole shebang will cost around £300. The dimensions should be possible to calculate from any photos or drawings you have of the boat out of water. If possible, set the length such that the supports will align with bulkheads for best stress distribution. In general, the wider the base the better. Usually the rule of thumb is that the base should be no narrower than the beam of the boat. Both my cradles were considerably narrower, but that was dictated by the track of the boat lifter which had to reverse around it! The fittings are the type used for making park railings and such. They are much pricier than scaffolding clamps, but come in many shapes and configurations and won't snag your clothes, car, other boats, etc. The name escapes me, but I can take a look when I get home - they're available from the likes of Pipe Base.
You need to find someone who has the means of cutting the pipes to length, either a 9" angle grinder (requires some skill) or a mechanical saw.
I'll pm with more detail when I can get some files from home.

 

[cpedw]

Keeclamp (not sure about the c and k in the spelling) make that type of fitting. Fastened with Allen screws.

Derek

 

[rudolph_hart]

For the last 30 years I've been using 4x 2nd hand Acrow props, with wooden pads fixed to the top, plus scaffold poles & clips to hold it all together. Bought it from scaffolding company.

The Acrows' adjustability has enabled them to adapt to: 1) 33ft 3/4 Tonner, fin, 6'3" draft 2) Dehler 34 (x2), fin, 5'7" draft, and 3) currently Dehler 35, draft 5' (wing keel). Mast down and mast up.

Later, I got 'expired' aluminium scaffold poles from a scrap merchant (not car breaker). They sell it by the kilo. The ally poles have a finite life according to Elfin Safety, hence the 'expired' bit, but they are more than strong enough for this job.

The Acrows go in the car boot, and the scaffold poles on the roofrack, for summer storage at home.

The only problem has been remembering which pole goes where. One day I will paint markers on them, when I get a Round Tuit. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

Hope this helps

 

[Topcat47]

Mine is made from Scaffolding poles and clamps. I got the whole shebang for £120, including screwjacks and pivot pads. Only four clamps are swivel clamps, the others being standard 90 degree fixings. I used 8 in no 12 foot poles & 6 in no shorter poles, but my boat isn't a SEAL, the owners' club might be able to help with the length of poles and your own club will be able to tell you how wide the lift will stretch.

My layout is two across the width of the hull and four longitudinal poles to form a base. The shorter ones are erected to form triangular hull supports by the bulkheads, and this is where the screwjacks and pivot plates are located. The triangles will require the four swivel clamps at the apexs.

Finally another pole is clamped each side to these triangles at the top to make the whole structure rigid. The advantage of this cradle is that I can take it away and store it in the summer away from thieveing toerags on the make.

 

[moondancer]

You want to check that your yard will allow a home made cradle. Some are being forced by insurance requirements to insist on CE and ISO compliant cradles. i.e. expensive ones supplied by a company.

 

[Emjaytoo]

Our marina supplies them as part of the lift out service. Every boat sits in a proprietry cradle, no DIY or timber baulks allowed. No need for them.

Do we pay for it - of course, but only half what you pay in Good Ole UK.

When will UK marinas get their act together?

 

[cliff]

[ QUOTE ]
When will UK marinas get their act together?

[/ QUOTE ]They already have - at least it seems they have their own cartel going. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif
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"Artificial intelligence is no match for natural stupidity"
sailroom <span style="color:red">The place to auction your previously loved boatie bits</span>

 

[ianwoods]

The club that I belong to has a lot of yard trailers and cradles that are just heaps of rusting scrap made of poor quality welding, acrow jacks and scaffold poles. I tend to wonder how these boat owners insurance companies would respond if they collapsed and did considerable damage to others boats. We have to remember the effect of gales last year toppling even cradles in Plymouth. I in the end decided to buy a purpose built cradle from Tennamast so at least my insurers know I have made an attempt at adequate boat support. I would hope tht my club committee get confirmation from the diy cradle owners that their insurers are happy with their heath robinson constructions.