Being launched with a forklift
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Tom Cassidy 352
- Posts: 34
- Joined: Mon Mar 20, 2006 6:36 pm
- Location: Sandusky, OH
Being launched with a forklift
Because of low water I can't launch from my club's ramp. The yard where the boat is stored wants to put me in with one of those big forklifts that they use for powerboats. Has anybody ever done this? I'm concerned about damage to the hull. Any input appreciated. Tom Cassidy 352
Fork Lift
My boat was launched this season with a big fork lift - fast and easy.
They picked it up from the stern using straps from a travel lift looped around the forks. The forks were set wider than the boat and approximately even with the tops of the life lines. The straps were set in front of the keel and just in front of the prop shaft (I have an Inboard).
The approach was under construction so the ground was a little uneven. As the fork truck powered over some of the bumps the boat swung for and aft a bit but not enough to have any ill effects. Similar to what would happen with a travel lift.
Pretty amazing.
If they are using straps as I described and the fork lift is big enough I would not be worried. It looks like a slick way to do it and it allows boats to be packed in much tighter for winter storage.
Good Luck
They picked it up from the stern using straps from a travel lift looped around the forks. The forks were set wider than the boat and approximately even with the tops of the life lines. The straps were set in front of the keel and just in front of the prop shaft (I have an Inboard).
The approach was under construction so the ground was a little uneven. As the fork truck powered over some of the bumps the boat swung for and aft a bit but not enough to have any ill effects. Similar to what would happen with a travel lift.
Pretty amazing.
If they are using straps as I described and the fork lift is big enough I would not be worried. It looks like a slick way to do it and it allows boats to be packed in much tighter for winter storage.
Good Luck
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fleck
- Minister of propaganda and lies
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- Joined: Thu Jan 16, 2003 11:58 am
- Location: Deltaville, VA
Tom,
Jabins Yacht Yard in Annapolis will not offer this kind of service for 7.9's. They had some 'trouble' with instability caused by the internal ballast being above the lifting forks. They use padded forks and lift the boats from under the hull. TPF's setup with the straps and higher forks, sounds a lot better.
Good luck
Jabins Yacht Yard in Annapolis will not offer this kind of service for 7.9's. They had some 'trouble' with instability caused by the internal ballast being above the lifting forks. They use padded forks and lift the boats from under the hull. TPF's setup with the straps and higher forks, sounds a lot better.
Good luck
Bob Fleck
Horizon 484
Horizon 484
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Tom Cassidy 352
- Posts: 34
- Joined: Mon Mar 20, 2006 6:36 pm
- Location: Sandusky, OH
Fork lift launch
Thanks guys, appreciate the feedback. Talked to the yard boss and he assured me that they've done this before with smaller sailboats with no problems but I'd rather listen to someone who's gone through this. Now if it would just stop raining. Tom Cassidy Gargle Blaster