Hoisting a 420

[Rick Webb]

Or similar hull. Our youth program has several 420s and three three place trailers. The two bottom racks are fairly easy to load but the top one is just too damn high. We have a hoist at our club and have discussed ways of using the hoist to load the top boat.

My inclination is to use a couple of PT 2X6X12s sandwiched together with some spacers to make a beam and use that to lift the top boat.

Anyone else have a method they would like to share?

 

[LeeandRick]

Can you provide a picture of the trailers? Not sure if you are loading from the end or side, right side up or upside down. Sometimes loading the top boat first is the easiest because the others aren't obstructing your movement. Depends on the design of the trailer. When I was a boat dealer/importer I built a couple of 3, 4, and 6 boat trailers (Club 420 was one of my boats) and never had much trouble loading with a couple of people helping.

 

[Rick Webb]

Thanks
Bottom two are from the end the top one will be from the top. They are Seitech racks on top of old Hobie 16 trailers. The only issue is the height if he had a couple of 6'10" guys it would be easy. I'll take a couple of pictures this afternoon while I am at the club .

 

[Rick Webb]

Here is the picture the top boat would be 7' up. It is usually a combination of 14 and 70 year olds doing the loading. I am trying to make it easier for them.

 

[LeeandRick]

Rather than add complexity try loading the top boat first. We would get the bow up on the back rail (boat at an angle stern low) and someone would get up on the trailer and walk the bow forward. If you add a plank down the center of the trailer it would make it easier for the person on the trailer. They may have to duck under the crossbars but the boat should balance before the forward crossbar so not much weight while doing the duck.

Oh, And a big "Thank You" for working with young people to keep this sport alive.