Is negative forklift launch safe?

[lbsailor]

Hello,

Both our local boat launches have closed until summer for remodeling. The only alternative is to have our Hunter 18.5 launched with a negative forklift. Is this safe for the boat?

Thanks!

 

[Squidd]

Ummm...what exactly is a "negative forklift" ?

Slings under extended forks...?

Sounds doable for an 18' boat.

 

[Jackdaw]

Ummm...what exactly is a "negative forklift" ?

Slings under extended forks...?

Sounds doable for an 18' boat.

Forks not only go up, but go down, lower than the wheels.

 

[Sailm8]

Did it with our old c22 at a marina in the Keys. Kind of scary when they lifted over another boat but all ended well.

 

[Merlin Clark]

Our local yard/marina hauls and launches my 5,000lb hull this way (with slings like Squidd stated).
Works great.

 

[Crazy Dave Condon]

You should be fine as I launched 18.5 with those style forks but make sure that it does not stay long on it and if you can find hard foam to use to support the hull, you will need four. Remember that the forks are on one contact point of the hull and placing the foam blocks fore and aft will help take some of the strain off at the single contact point.

This is not recommended for water ballast boats but yours is a fixed keel and the hull is designed heavier.

crazy dave