Craning the swap over

[Neo]

I'm considering hiring a in Crane-Truck service to come to my place and lift my Mac in the air (just 1.2 meters) while I roll out my old trailer and then roll under the new Trailer. There are a number of reasons I'd like to do this but I guess the primary one is my new trailer hasn't received it's Road Compliance Plate yet (long story) so it's not Road legal yet ..... and the old Trailer is also not legal any more too.

Some questions/discussion points....
# Has anyone else done anything like this with a 26M?
# I seem to remember reading that BWY lift a Mac from the chin plates (Shroud fixing points) but I worry they're not strong enough?
# Are the chin plates the rough pivoting point of a Mac?
# Alternatively how could Straps be arranged under and over the hull?
# Should I be using a cross-bar (over the top) between the straps to stop the straps placing pressure on the sides of the hull?
# Could/should I use a support frame/cradle at the back of the boat and just lift the bow?... If so how should the Straps be arranged around the bow?
# What could go wrong and how could I prevent it?

[Starscream]

Bear Hunt has only been lifted by crane once, out of the trailer and into the lake, when the water level was so high that the entire ramp and parking lot were under water.

I didn't enjoy the experience and will avoid it in the future.

Lost my transom mounted depth transducer in the process. Never looked 100% stable in the slings. If you do use slings, putting the boat back on the trailer is tricky; very easy to get the slings trapped.

I have heard tell of BWY lifting the X by the chainplates: I think it was Chinook who told me that story. Personally, I wouldn't awant my boat to be lifted like that.

There is plenty of info on this site about jacking up the X and sliding the trailer out. If I had to do it, this is the procedure I would use.

[Starscream]

I'm considering hiring a in Crane-Truck service to come to my place and lift my Mac in the air (just 1.2 meters) while I roll out my old trailer and then roll under the new Trailer. There are a number of reasons I'd like to do this but I guess the primary one is my new trailer hasn't received it's Road Compliance Plate yet (long story) so it's not Road legal yet ..... and the old Trailer is also not legal any more too.

Some questions/discussion points....
# Has anyone else done anything like this with a 26M?
# I seem to remember reading that BWY lift a Mac from the chin plates (Shroud fixing points) but I worry they're not strong enough?
# Are the chin plates the rough pivoting point of a Mac?
# Alternatively how could Straps be arranged under and over the hull?
# Should I be using a cross-bar (over the top) between the straps to stop the straps placing pressure on the sides of the hull?
# Could/should I use a support frame/cradle at the back of the boat and just lift the bow?... If so how should the Straps be arranged around the bow?
# What could go wrong and how could I prevent it?

FYI

[Tomfoolery]

The easiest way, short of hiring it out, is to just put the boat on blocks while on the trailer. The stern can be blocked solidly, since the trailer stops short of the transom anyway. That will control the roll, too. Make a nice wooden cradle if you like.

Then block up under the bow. As you slip the trailer out, you’ll have to block up just behind the cross bar and remove the blocking in front of it so you can continue moving the trailer.

Reverse the process to slip the new one in. You can probably use the tongue jack for most of this, but a floor jack might be doable with some blocking on the saddle.

If using slings, you need a spreader bar for each sling so you don’t put excessive compression loads into the deck. It’s probably easier to build a wooden gantry and use a pair of chain falls, one on each side, and no spreader(s) required. With the stern blocked solidly, you only need to lift half the weight or less. The gantry just has to be wide enough to clear the wheels of the trailer.

[Inquisitor]

Although we tag trailers in North Carolina, there's no inspections... and if it breaks its our own damn fault kind of thing. So we wouldn't need a crane and even if we did, we'd just sneak it down and do it anyway.

But... it seems like I saw some pictures recently with the boat off the trailer on blocks while doing a Mod. You might check with Ixneigh's stub keel thread. He's inventive and can-do like, so I imagine, he didn't involve cranes.

[Neo]

There is plenty of info on this site about jacking up the X and sliding the trailer out. If I had to do it, this is the procedure I would use.

Thanks for the photo ... Lots to consider(and be concerned about ) there.

Using jacks it's not possible to roll the Trailer from underneath an ... The has a fatter/deeper belly than an so when the stern is solidly blocked you'd still have to jack the whole forward part of the hull up to a very scary height, so the trailer can clear ... I know because I tried with the previous trailer..... But this is why I asked about Crane lifting just the bow (with the stern solidly blocked)? ... Would that possible Tom?... And would using the winch eye as an attachment point be possible?

In addition, my new trailer has many more cross bunks. So it would be a nightmare getting it under my Mac using jacks.

[Jimmyt]

Have you searched for folks who've done it before? This is the most recent trailer swap using the "span the trailer" approach. May give you an idea or two. I would strongly suggest using a bit heavier lumber, but you get the idea... viewtopic.php?f=11&t=27544&p=340255&hil ... ap#p340193

In the dirt, off a rotten trailer. Couldn't have been much more difficult...

If you have a bunch of cross members to deal with, you could jack the bow up and use a large cross beam to span the trailer.

I would not lift it by the bow eye.

I would build a bunk shape to spread the load wherever I picked it up, mimicking the shape of the bottom. Progressive jacking and blocking will get the boat where you need it with a bit of thought and planning. You might have to buy $100 worth of lumber to get it done if you don't have stuff laying around. Use big blocking 6x6,etc and do it on a flat concrete surface if possible.

Don't know what cranes rent for where you are, but your idea of blocking the stern and crane lifting the front (using a strap and spreader), would cut the load in half and be a safer operation. If the cost of lumber and time is more than the crane rental, it's a no brainer.

Will your old trailer get you to a marina with a travel lift?

I have an M and I'm not sure why you couldn't get it off the stock trailer with the block/jack method.

But, bottom line; if you aren't comfortable doing it, call the crane guys and tell them to bring straps, spreader bars, and hull stands, etc to make the swap. Breaking your boat, or hurting yourself isn't worth it.

[Tomfoolery]

But this is why I asked about Crane lifting just the bow (with the stern solidly blocked)? ... Would that possible Tom?... And would using the winch eye as an attachment point be possible?

I wouldn’t use the bow eye, as you don’t know how strong it and the material under it is loaded in that direction. Just use a short spreader and sling it under the bow, but close to the bow you don’t really need a spreader at all (IMO) since it’s so narrow. With the stern blocked in a wooden cradle, close to the trailer or where the new trailer tail end will be, it will be very stable against roll. Then just lift the bow.

You don’t need a crane company to do this. You may be paying for two operators (operator and oiler), plus travel time both ways. Call a tow (wrecker) company. That boat is light, especially at the bow, and especially especially with the stern support as far forward as practical. But, get it all set up, and be able to tell them what the lifted load is and how far from the path of the trailer fenders the hook will be, which is at least 4 ft. They also need to know how high the hook has to be, including slings, shackles, and hook. They need to know that to know how big a truck to send.

Tow trucks are usually much cheaper than an actual crane service, and modern hydraulic tow truck machinery is just as safe as the cranes as it’s just a small version of the same thing.

But as I said before, if it were me, I’d just build a wooden gantry. Very little bending moment on the cross beam so it doesn’t have to be very big, as the two lifting points would be near the two ends. Stabilize it with lines to fixed objects, like trees. Use old live rigging as slings, or buy some new line. Still cheaper than hiring it done.

[Neo]

Thanks for your thoughts guys...

Crane-on-a-truck rental turns out to be AU$300 but I'm starting to feel that this is more hassle than it's worth so I'm still pondering on this

Will let you guys know one way or the other

[EiJa]

I have done it with a wheelloader. Paiting at the ground and load then Up.

[Starscream]

EiJa, that's one of the most entertaining photos I've seen in a while. Not sure if it's brilliant or crazy, but I like it!

[Neo]

I have done it with a wheelloader. Paiting at the ground and load then Up.

You are frightening me

[EiJa]

Fertig

[Jimmyt]

Nicely Done!

[Neo]

I have to ask .... Was there any damage?