Launching w/ Sling or Forklift (hyster)?

[mrbillfll]

Ok, looks like my friend is pulling the trigger on an X on saturday... not the one in atlanta.... If it checks out, I'll see it saturday afternoon.

My question is, Is anyone using a sling type lift or forklift type lift to launch their boat? (like they have at the rack-n-stacks)

the boat will come with a trailer, but he's planning on putting it a storage yard where they splash the boat.

any special (construction) issues launching with either method?

does anyone have the architecture plans for the X? (where is the hull strongest), lift points, etc?

(I know on the classics you need to lift and support at 2 specific areas and a sling lift will work, but the forklift could crack the hull. (classic's are very very thin at the stern and they tilt a forklift back to drive around the yard.)

(I ran a search on forklift and sling and only found shipping threads)

TIA!

we plan to launch on sunday with the trailer, but he will be renting a spot in a yard this weekend, so once again, its kinda urgent...


forklift type
http://www.clark-parts.com/boat%20lift.jpg

(ps: the default href is open in same window on this site? not (new)...

[mrbillfll]

default links action... to pop new window

a class="postlink" href="http://www.clark-parts.com/boat%20lift.jpg">

I think just a ,'new' in the A attrib before the gt sign will do it....
http://www.clark-parts.com/boat%20lift.jpg</a>
correct code is actually:
target="_blank"

probably a forum setting..

[Hamin' X]

I fixed your link to open in a new tab. The default is to open in the same window, only if you fail to use the URL tags. I placed your link in the proper URL brackets.

~Rich

[mrbillfll]

thanks... I see I need to use the url button at top of page from now on.... '/ url]'

[Hamin' X]

The best way to post a link is to do it the way that it is explained in the "How To's".

Launching with Forklift

~Rich

[mrbillfll]

in this thread a better diagram is listed for personal website of PaulS, but I'm not finding it.

http://www.macgregorsailors.com/forum/v ... =8&t=17420

'welcome aboard, Dimiter. Actually, you can do little better than this forum. The "Mildred Rose" is owned by one of our members (Paul S) who happens to be a moderator of this forum. Shame on Paul for not listing his website under the Resources => Sailing Links => Personal Websites at the top of the page.'
the manual on this site is very basic, and not sufficient to see the build structure.

too basic:
http://www.macgregorsailors.com/manuals ... l_1996.pdf

http://www.macgregorsailors.com/manuals/index.php
http://www.macgregorsailors.com/links/i ... ?viewcat=2

[Hamin' X]

This might be better, but be aware that the are differences from early X's to the later models. I don't think that there will be any problem with slinging it, as I know that several members have that done in the Puget Sound area. Look at the traile bunks for the best areas for slings. Not sure what to say about fork lift method.



~Rich

[GaryMayo]

Glad your friend found a boat. How much if I may ask, and what size engine? I am in the market also so I am compiling stats.

[SkiDeep2001]

- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4R56EeRdgFs Rob

[Matt19020]

I only hauled out once at a marina with no ramp...(for a motor issue). I can not provide much feedback but here are the videos if you wanted a visual

http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s152 ... EO0009.mp4
http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s152 ... EO0010.mp4

[mrbillfll]

How much speed does it take to drain the ballast?

can it be done at no wake speeds? (in the ICW)

I'm thinking the forklift might work if the ballast is empty. full will probably crack the hull... (guess)

I also figure the transom is strong, but not sure about directly under the helm for around 10-15' where the weight will rest. (waterballast)

forklifts are what are normally used for rack and stack. the sling / travel lift takes longer and is normally for dry dock or larger boats/yachts.

I'll suggest my friend call the factory before trying it.

-I have little info on the boat so far... should know more today. he tells me in broken english if I want to see his new boat... then later says he is really looking today... Brazillians! eh!

[mrbillfll]

ps on the model changes of the X...

that was interior right? not the waterballast, so the detail diag should be the same... so maybe if the forks are wider on the edge of the ballast and hull.

would sux for him to crack the hull...


hammin, that's what I was looking for... printing was only fair quality... anyone have a better copy?

I'll need to give this to the forklift driver.

[Ixneigh]

I slung the M off her trailer with a big travel lift. I let the guys place the straps but watched closely for hull deformation. Be cautious of setting the boat on the jack stands. Do not let them be in a hurry to do this. Lowering the boat onto the stands incorrectly could cause hull deformation. Definitely be there when they are doing this.
I used seven stands. Two under the transom. One under the bow.
Four in the mid sections. When doing this again, and I will, because it's easier to bottom paint on stands,
I would place the two transom ones first. Then One under the center/ dagger trunk. Once the weight was beginning to come off the slings, place the bow. Those are the strongest points of the hull. Then place the rest of the stands, and finally remove the one under the dagger board trunk.
Yes the area on the hull bottom between the water channels of my M in the back sections seems thin.
I did not place any stands in that area.
Hope this helps. Remember that on an X the third stand under the centerboard trunk may not be ideal. I don't know the exact structure. On the M it goes from hull to cabin top and should be very strong.
But I do strongly feel that the two stands under the transom edge should be the first ones as they begin to lower the boat and arrange the stands. It's quite possible that the yard guys will already know this. The guys where I hauled were all interested in the boat and understood it was lightly built so it could motor fast.
As far as plain fork lifting. I'm going to say no. I did that with my V222 but you could see the hull flex visibly as they rolled over bumps. I feel there is possibility of damage to the water ballast tank on the newer macs.

Ixneigh

[Hamin' X]

ps on the model changes of the X...

that was interior right? not the waterballast, so the detail diag should be the same... so maybe if the forks are wider on the edge of the ballast and hull.

would sux for him to crack the hull...

There were major changes to the transom valve and venting system, as well as the elimination of a thru-hull. I'm not sure if there were major changes of the ballast tubes, which double as hull stringers in the X.

I don't think that you can empty the ballast in a no wake zone, as it takes about 8 MPH and the boat is really plowing along, with the bow up. However, it is not too difficult to rig a 12 volt inflator to the ballast vent, that will blow the ballast in a matter of minutes.

~Rich

[mrbillfll]

10-4 on the inflaitor, have one for my boat...

the rack and stack hanger type storage popular around here will use a huge forklift with forks about 20' long and reinforced rubber over the forks. they are fast... take the boat out of the hanger and splashed in a few min. when you pull out, the set them on racks running front to back for cleanup. then back in the hangar or your trailer or chalks for outside storage.

on a power boat no big deal, solid hull.

but not sure this type of yard would work on a waterballast boat. I know mine wouldn't. it would crack the hull in a short time.


so no one has done this?