Lifting a 22ft Sailboat

JanS48

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Oct 3, 2014
11
Still Looking 27 Newport RI
Greetings, I've a 22ft Seafarer and I have access to a public boat lift if you can believe it. The boat weighs 2500 lbs, I was planning on using two 3" 30ft straps rated at 4500 each. Placing the straps in front of and in back of the keel with the top of the straps going to a single lift hook. Anyone out there have success doing something similar? Anyone have a vid of someone doing that?

TIA Jan
 
Jun 8, 2004
10,443
-na -NA Anywhere USA
As a former dealer who has raised sailboats with all various type of lifting to include a crane with two long straps from a single attachment point or hook, I will give you some pointers as the largest was nearly a 33 footer with a mast of 55 feet in length rigged in the upright position over a bridge.

First, I would err on the side of safety using wider and higher tensil strength straps but that decision will be left up to you. Assuming you are lifting the boat off the trailer without the mast up. you would want to have longer straps so not to crush the hull inward which I would be concerned with the 30 footers as they are not long enough. Secondly, I would not do this when there is a lot of wind. I would have lines attached to the bow and transom so the boat will not turn on you when lifting. Make sure no one is on the boat nor below it when lifting. Most important you will need a line secured to the straps on each side from forward to rear straps to ensure that the straps will not slip out from beneath the hull. I would encourage you to also put carpet between the straps and the side of the hull so they will not mar the gel coat finish.

When you first raise the boat, see if it is level. If not, put the boat back down and readjust the straps on the hull. You will have to readjust the lines securing the straps on each side.
slowly rotate the mechanism or lifting unit over the water making sure the boat is away from the bulkhead and let it go down slowly. Have an experienced person operating the lift.

Again it is better to be safe and not stupid exercising good judgment in this type of launch.
 
Jun 8, 2004
10,443
-na -NA Anywhere USA
Watched that video and in many cases straps not secured on the side to each other, overloade on strap and in several cases the crane operator did not watch his safety device when overloading the crane out too far. Like I said, I know what to look for as I have done this often in the past. Again I will refer back to my orginal post.
 
Jan 1, 2006
7,585
Slickcraft 26 Sailfish
What I don't get is why semi intelligent men stand near the boats being lifted as if they could prevent or stop a fall.
 

JanS48

.
Oct 3, 2014
11
Still Looking 27 Newport RI
Thanks to all for the reply.

The boat is actually in the water and I'd be using the lift to lift from the water to a trailer.

After much consideration I'm going to have a yard do the job. I just dislike spending 200 each way.

Thanks to all that replied.
 
Jun 8, 2004
10,443
-na -NA Anywhere USA
Tommays;

Looking at the photo, next time I would suggest that you tie the straps together on each side. One line for the port side and the other for the starboard side. I have seen a lot of accidents involving a rectangular spreader for the straps and even boats with a slight tilt like yourson the transom end. One other thing, I hope that was not you standing near the boat holding the line. If it slipped and fell, I only pray for your safety.

Prior to being a dealer now retired, I was an investigator and over 30 plus years in the marine incustry have experienced more than you know. I just err on the side of safety for everyone including yourself and there are times that the laborers at marine yards do not look at safety but getting the job done quickly without regard to their own safety either.