Using boom to hoist Genset?

Sep 21, 2014
28
Hunter 426 Southport, NC
I am thinking about securing a chain fall around my boom (with padding and care) to lift a genset from the dock, swing it to the companionway and lower it inside. The Genset weighs 379 pounds and the lift point on the mast is about 7 feet aft from the gooseneck. I am curious to hear any facts around damage this could do to the boom, mast, vang, gooseneck, topping lift or anything else. I weigh 245 and can put all my weight on the spot without so much as a squeak.

I have a 2003 Hunter 426. With the Selden Mast and boom along with the RodKicker vang.

I have seen many examples of people doing this in YouTube videos :

https://www.google.com/search?clien...UTF-8#q=sailboat engine boom site:youtube.com
 
Sep 15, 2009
6,243
S2 9.2a Fairhope Al
use your halyard.... tie it to the boom in such a way it will stay at that point then take the other end of the halyard and take all the slack out or wrap it around a winch and leave the handle in the winch just incase or secure it that will help your weight problem ..now secure your chaine fall or chain come along to the boom with a nylon riggers strap/sling (choker) in such a way that it will not move on the boom ...then swing it over your load and hook it up the the chain fall or whatever you have and lift it and watch every part of your rigging as you do it so you can see if anything is going ary ...also tie a tag/painter line to the boom so as to be able to let it out as you swing the boom and load this way if you have a problem you can pull it back over the dock and let it back down in case you have a problem or malfunction in hoisting ....also have a couple of more men and or women whichever you prefer to help you with this .....when the load is over the boat where you intend to put it start letting it down slowly again watching the rigging just incase land the load then go drink a cold something an relaxe a few then continue on with setting in the place you have reserved for the gen set ...and whatever you do remain calm throughout all of this so as not to make mistakes ...and that is all there is to it ...oh and be very careful and don't get anyone hurt ...if this sounds like too much for you get some professional help and do what he tells you to do

good luck
 
Jun 4, 2004
1,087
Mainship Piliot 34 Punta Gorda
I lifted mine with a halyard. I tied another line from the genset to my car. This way my wife and I did the job, no problem. I would replace the car with two guys. All you need to do is crank the wench and have the guys guide it to where you want it. I do not see any need to use (stress) the boom.
I lowered mine down into the companion way. Then lifted it again through a hatch up onto the rear berth on a dolly. Then I slid it back into place after I cut a hole in the bulkhead. In retrospect I think I could have removed a piece of the outside real lazarette and lowered it in there but still not sure it would have fit.
 
Jun 11, 2011
1,243
Hunter 41 Lewes
I lifted mine with a halyard. I tied another line from the genset to my car. This way my wife and I did the job, no problem. I would replace the car with two guys. All you need to do is crank the wench and have the guys guide it to where you want it. I do not see any need to use (stress) the boom. I lowered mine down into the companion way. Then lifted it again through a hatch up onto the rear berth on a dolly. Then I slid it back into place after I cut a hole in the bulkhead. In retrospect I think I could have removed a piece of the outside real lazarette and lowered it in there but still not sure it would have fit.
I know my wench gets annoyed when I crank her, so I use the winch. ;)
 
Feb 8, 2014
1,300
Columbia 36 Muskegon
I lifted a 650# diesel engine out of the boat and into a truck (on the hard) using the MSFT and boom. I did all the lifting with a halyard, and used another tackle ( the vang) from the halyard to the end of the boom to adjust the horizontal position. The boom took no weight and was only stressed in compression. Did the job by myself in about an hour, had no problems or damage. This was on a 1969 Columbia 36 with mast and boom extrusions that are huge by today's standards.
 
Sep 21, 2014
28
Hunter 426 Southport, NC
After watching all the YouTube videos and reading all your comments, I have a plan. I attached a rudimentary drawing of the plan, thanks for all the help!! I'll let you know how it goes next week when I go down to the boat.
 

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Sep 21, 2014
28
Hunter 426 Southport, NC
Just FYI everything went great. The install is 99% complete. If anyone is ever thinking about putting the Northern lights 6.5 KW generator in a Hunter 42 my only advise is bring vaseline. It is an extremely tight fit.
 
Jun 1, 2009
1,847
Hunter 49 toronto
Glad things worked out.

Just FYI everything went great. The install is 99% complete. If anyone is ever thinking about putting the Northern lights 6.5 KW generator in a Hunter 42 my only advise is bring vaseline. It is an extremely tight fit.
Honestly, I'd use a dock crane. Just less stress.