Hi everyone-
I thought I should share a couple of pics and a description of my rig to get the boat on and off of the trailer.
I built a couple of cradles. The first one built is designed to fit the shape of the hull at the transom, right under the transom. I want to avoid oil-canning, so I figure the best place the support can be positioned is immediately under the vertical wall of the transom. This cradle is sized to slide under the boat with the trailer tongue at pretty much a normal position, or down slightly.
I have the luxury of an I-beam overhead, but suspect a sturdy tree branch could be similarly used. A 2-ton chain hoist is used with a wide towing strap to lift the boat clear enough to get the trailer out, then another cradle is installed just forward of the keel. I had intended on my first lift to use some shims to spread the load of the strap, but testing proved it was unnecessary for the short time that the boat was in the sling. Note, the strap is positioned behind the lifelind stanchions, as a preventative measure to keep the strap from slipping out from under the boat forward.
Anyway, the cradles are designed in such a manner that all the pieces are in compression. The foreward cradle has three 4/4 posts in the vertical axis. I felt it best not to impose any bending load into the cradles, (I am picky that way) so there is one central post flanked by two additional posts. A 2x8 acts as a spreader, and is notched in a v. 2 12x6 pads are rest at the top of of the central post out to the outer posts, making contact with the hull. At the rear, there are two 4x4 posts, and these are similarly topeed with pads to support the boat. the load is totally vertical for all but the bracing pieces..
Here are two pictures from last night; finally to the point in my spring re-furb to slap a fresh gallon of bottom paint on...
This system has proved quite easy, and is simple enough that a single person can set it up, make the lift and postion the cradles. It is quick too!