Launching w/ Sling or Forklift (hyster)?

[Catigale]

I thought Rich Boren launched him this way in Oxnard CA ...try pm or EM

[Captain Steve]

I keep my X on the dry and sling it in and out in Oxnard, where Rich had his M. No problems they sling it out with the ballast in to keep it stable in transit. The first time they spend some time finding the correct sling positions and then mark them with some black tape

[Catigale]

White tape better...don't let use blue tape....thanks Captain Steve...I though Oxnard was a sling launch place.

Engineering wise I think a sling strap will be comparable force per unit area than a forklift, but of course the sling will place some of the load in compression vs shear, which is much better for FG....

[mrbillfll]

I tend to agree that the 2 strap type slings on a travel lift will be better and would work for long term.

the problem is it takes much longer to launch, and pull, so most yards will either charge a lot more, or not offer it at all for smaller boats. most travel lifts I see are for the 70' + yachts.

On a busy weekend a rack and stack might need to splash and retrieve 50-75 boats. the retrieving being the bottle neck at the end of the day... thus the use of 'hyster' type forklift... I thinking they can pull one every 3-5 min. a sling would be about 15-20/min each.

let me find out if he bought the boat today...

I'm kinda hoping not, since I think he's going to need a new tow vehicle, as using the forklift doesn't seem like a good idea. and ramp and trailer is probably the best way to go.


***
-I see many are using slings.... but no one knows of anyone using the forklift?

CORRECT?
***

[c130king]

I know there are several users with "boat lifts" out behind their homes. Wouldn't these be similar to a fork lift as far as stress on the hull goes?

Just a thought.

Cheers,
Jim

[mrbillfll]

no. not really.

a boat lift can be designed as 2 (or more) 'V'(chocks) (needed for the classic mac's) or front to back 'bunks' like a normal power boat and its a pretty even weight distribution. slow and steady lift.

on a forklift they will put all the weight on the back third part of the boat. (when they move it, it needs to be tilted back so as it bounces across the tarmac, it doesn't fall off.

looking at the X trailer, it hard for me to tell where the strong points are. I assume where the ballast meets the hull, and around the centerboard, and the bow.

its under the transom, and the ballast tubes that concern me. I figure the transom is solid and tied into the sides of the hull pretty well. but the ballast is probably very thin and if the forks were resting there. taking all the weight, I'm thinking stress cracks. or a break thru.... maybe we can put some paint on the correct lift points and make sure the forks are moved (they are not light).


on my boat, its less than 1/4 inch under the cockpit/ lazerrette. any attempt to lift with a fork lift would surely crack the hull, with all the weight on that area...

just not sure about X construction...

probably going to need to speak to someone at the factory.

Thank!

[mrbillfll]

update: spoke to my friend, and he did buy an 96 X with a newer yamaha 40 hp... has not tried to plane the boat yet.

it is stored at a rack and stack and is being launched w/ a fork lift... so far so good.

-one problem he has is, when he drops the mast the backstay goes into the water, (drops mast before the fork lift picks it up)

anyone have a system to draw in the backstay so it doesn't catch the prop? (he bent the prop last weekend).

or, do these boats really need the backstay (my 26D does not).

TIA!

[mrbillfll]

found this thread:

it appears it is needed for downwind work? or?

http://www.macgregorsailors.com/forum/v ... ay#p222638

[Catigale]

Needed for two things

A. Downwind run

2. Flying burgees

[mrbillfll]

thanks!

that's what I was thinking, remove it when coming to the dock....
when it was dropped last time it wrapped around the prop, and bent it up...

I hope to see it this week...

-are there mods or threads on how to plumb a inflator to the ballast? thinking that will be needed...

then again, maybe leaving the ballast full will help support the boats weight on the fork lift...