Have you seen a boat on the hard like this?

Oct 24, 2010
2,405
Hunter 30 Everett, WA
I took this picture in New Zealand. This looks like a great way to secure boats on the hard. There are only 2 pads to put bottom paint under before it goes back into the water.

I just hadn't seen this before.

Ken
IMG_20170324_114803.jpg
 
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Likes: Don Crowther
Feb 2, 2010
373
Island Packet 37 Hull #2 Harpswell Me
In Europe, a cradle like this is the standard way to store a boat, its much rarer to see boat stands. I would therefore guess that Australasia is similar to the UK.
 
Oct 6, 2007
1,172
Hunter H30 1982 Chicago IL
That looks considerably more stable than a typical North American cradle, not to mention the jack stands that are so common here.
 

PaulK

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Dec 1, 2009
1,522
Sabre 402 Southport, CT
Appears much more likely to ding topsides than jackstands (poppets) are, though the photo is not clear how the frame actually supports the hull. Are there pads/arms at, above, or below the waterline? The photo also shows them still using jackstands to support the bow and stern.
 
Oct 24, 2010
2,405
Hunter 30 Everett, WA
Appears much more likely to ding topsides than jackstands (poppets) are, though the photo is not clear how the frame actually supports the hull. Are there pads/arms at, above, or below the waterline? The photo also shows them still using jackstands to support the bow and stern.
Yep, bow and stern each have one stand each. The keel sets on wood (just like in our own yard). As you can see, the keel supports put the weight of the boat on the frame below making the whole thing really rigid.

The uprights (which adjust in and out) lay against the rubrail, or hull, but it's padded and with the boat more or less balanced, there would be little pressure there. There are no protuberances from the uprights except some rubber padding. The uprights adjust laterally to fit the beam of the boat.

I just thought this makes way more sense when doing a bottom job. the main frames (the part on the ground) are laid out in rows to accommodate many boats. I saw lots of these over there but only took one photo. I suspect the uprights are aluminum for ease of handling.

In areas with no boat present, the uprights are lying on the ground. I suspect they are put in place while the boat is held there by the sling.

Ken
 
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Jul 12, 2011
1,165
Leopard 40 Jupiter, Florida
Not knocking this, but to point out some of the downsides ... This rig takes considerably more metal ($$$) than my cradle or jackstands (which I am also afraid of, truth be told). The rig appears to extend far out beyond the beam (I'm guessing two meters to the side), which would make storage more expensive unless you staggered them well. My cradle fits well within the wetted area of my boat.
 
Oct 6, 2007
1,172
Hunter H30 1982 Chicago IL
Not knocking this, but to point out some of the downsides ... This rig takes considerably more metal ($$$) than my cradle or jackstands (which I am also afraid of, truth be told). The rig appears to extend far out beyond the beam (I'm guessing two meters to the side), which would make storage more expensive unless you staggered them well. My cradle fits well within the wetted area of my boat.
I think you've identified why we don't see this type of cradle in North America. What makes it more stable -- the wider stance (requires more real estate) and lateral support high on the top sides (requires more steel) -- also makes it more expensive.
 
Feb 24, 2013
82
Coronado C25 San Pedro, CA
I bet the insurance companies would rather not pay out claims for toppled boats from a gale force storm, maybe cheaper insurance rates for the yard would make up the difference in real estate usage.
 
Oct 24, 2010
2,405
Hunter 30 Everett, WA
In the marinas I walked around in New Zealand, all had this setup. Most of the boats looked like they were just there for yard work. I just thought it looked like a good thing for bottom painting and wouldn't mind having such a setup on our home marina in Everett, WA. It looked like it would certainly be easier for the sling crew if the uprights weren't too difficult to handle.

Ken
 
Sep 11, 2013
250
Catalina 25 6106 Lake Erie Metro Park
Similar to the rig I use when painting the Rose's bottom or working on her keel...
MaryEllaOnTheHard.JPG
 
Jun 8, 2004
10,536
-na -NA Anywhere USA
The weight of the boat sits on the fixed keel with supports on the bow and stern hull supported sideways. Simply reminds me of a keel boat on a trailer and boy it makes it a lot easier to paint. The boat is sound if other yards use this type of setup.
 
Feb 24, 2013
82
Coronado C25 San Pedro, CA
New Zealand might have these type of boat storage because of earthquakes, seems quite sturdy in a shake.