Can I do this?

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eliems

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Apr 26, 2011
102
Hunter H28 Port Moody
I want to transport a 250 lb dirtbike in my 10' Rib Dingy to a location and then transfer it onto a dock. single handed.

I was thinking I could use the Reef Lines on my mainsail to hoist the bike and swing the boom over to the dock.

This means adding 250 lbs to the weight of the boom, can the topping lift and boom handle it or am I asking for trouble?

I see the dingy being between the boat and the dock, lifting the bike and swinging it over. I have a Hunter 28 and I also wonder if the boom swings far enough to make this work.
 
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Jun 6, 2006
6,990
currently boatless wishing Harrington Harbor North, MD
I'd be more concerned with the boat heeling over when you try and lift the bike and it punching a hole in the bottome of the dingy.
You could test the topping lift by getting two adults (~250 lb) and leaning on the boom end. It all depends on how you have both ends attached. the cable should support it fine but the ends may not be up to the task.
 
Aug 2, 2005
1,155
Pearson 33-2 & Typhoon 18 Seneca Lake
I can imagine all kinds of bad things happening during the lift/transfers you are considering!!!

Is there a dock with deep enough water to take the sailboat to and do the transfer while you are tied to the dock? That would eliminate one transfer and reduce the unstableness you would deal with. How did you get it aboard? Reverse that proceedure if it seemed safe.
 
May 4, 2005
4,062
Macgregor 26d Ft Lauderdale, Fl
how are you going to get the bike on the rib?

I think the boom will be just fine. assuming the halyard is supporting the boom.

but keeping the bike from shifting and getting it back in the rib will be the trick.

or is this a one way one time trip?
 

kenn

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Apr 18, 2009
1,271
CL Sandpiper 565 Toronto
I would be more inclined to beach the dinghy and use some boards to wheel the bike on/off of it. For obvious reasons I'd prefer a 'hard' boat rather than an inflatable; any chance of borrowing a small raft or pontoon boat?

Also I don't see how you'd have enough height on the boom end to lift the bike high enough, and stay clear of your boat, to get onto a dock. So many things to go wrong...

Have you considered a folding bicycle? ;)
 
Sep 25, 2008
385
Harpoon 5.2 Honolulu, HI
LOL I thought I was the only guy on here who is into dirtbikes and sailboats. I have never tried to combine the two though...
 
Oct 21, 2011
109
O Day Mariner 2+2 my driveway/ Lake Wallenpalpac
hmmm, having raced them most of my life, I'd be more worried about the bike in the dingy because the weight is all on the top of the bike.
First thing that comes to my mind is a pallet platform.
Eyelets at the corners and use the bike holddown straps to hold the bike in place, (like you would in the back of a pickup), (prehaps even straps on the wheels).
Beach the dingy, a couple 2X6 as ramps and slide the platform onto the dingy, lift that onto the boat by the eyelets.
Please, post pics of this adventure.
Think about this............
trials bikes!
160#, small easy to move @..........
Joe
This is my kinda idea!
 
Nov 6, 2006
10,219
Hunter 34 Mandeville Louisiana
uuuhhhhh.. Hold my beer.. This gonna be fun..??

certainly do-able if VERY careful .
 

eliems

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Apr 26, 2011
102
Hunter H28 Port Moody
OK, I am reviewing the situation and I think I'ld better think it out again!

I actually need to do this twice as stashing two Honda XR250s in the wilderness.

There is an option to beach the dingy and using boards to extricate the bike seems the best option. Perhaps I will bring a friend along to help as well.

Thanks for all your suggestions and caution.
 

BobM

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Jun 10, 2004
3,269
S2 9.2A Winthrop, MA
I'd suggest a purpose built raft with some motorcycle trailer rail mount to put the wheels in and some tie downs. Then just tow it to where you want on a good day. Build it like a section of dock perhaps. Forget about putting it on board.
 
Jan 22, 2008
169
Beneteau 343 Saint Helens, Oregon OR
If your boom is not high enough, use a whisker pole or 2x4 long enough to clear the hull. Once in the dinghy a cooler on each side or bumpers etc to brace it to the tubes. How far do your tubes collapse when you let the air out? Enough to walk the bike on or off?
How about a couple big blocks of foam strapped to the sides of the bike to keep the engine dry?
All low tech.
 
May 24, 2004
7,215
CC 30 South Florida
Keep a camera handy, depending on how it goes it could go viral on U-Tube. The boom should hold it if the topping lift line is sound. Make sure you attach a lifting strap to the boom itself and not to the end. Dont know what you are trying to do but perhaps renting a pontoon boat would make it easier.
 
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Jul 6, 2004
9
- - Vancouver
Darwin Award Candidate?

Hmmm 250 lb dirt bike---being lowered over the side into a RIB Dinghy ---hmmm definitely will need someone in the dinghy to help guide and secure the bike ---hmm topping lift looks OK ---hmmm I'll just get in the dinghy while my friend lowers the bike in, shouldn't be a problem ---

Reminds me of the fellow who was transferring by hand his outboard from his sailboat to his dinghy in the water AND HAD RUN THE BELT OF HIS PANTS THOUGH THE MOTOR BRACKETS :doh:--his explanation was that if the motor slipped from his hands that he wasn't going to lose the motor over the side!!! ...to which I pointed out that if the outboard did slip into the water then they would have no problem in finding the motor because they could get it at the same time as when they fished his body out of the water---obvious candidate for a Darwin Award.

So sure why not give it a try?--I mean what could possibly go wrong? :D But if you do go for it then please, please video the move --not only will it probably be as funny as those other U Tube videos of yachts slipping from their slings but also it could be valuable evidence in supporting your survivor's life insurance claim that you really weren't trying to commit suicide, just that you were a little crazy.;)
 
Oct 30, 2011
542
klidescope 30t norfolk
can I do this

get a free boat off CL 17' something fix make float remove engine outdrive if have one fill hole plywood caulk put bikes in stash boat in woods drag boat from a launch ramp to location with dink or sail boat
 
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