Home made launch cradle?

[DAN]

Hi All,

I saw a picture of someone supporting a T38 in some u channel for launching on a concrete slip. The skeg and keel sat in the channel which has two sets of pneumatic wheels per side.

I need to launch on a bumpy slip, so am looking at options. All cat dollys interfere with pod and engine boxes. Crane very expensive.

Anyone seen this. Other  ideas out there?

Thanks

[Martin Hivon]

Dan,

here is what I did to launch my Tiki 38 on a bumpy gravel ramp.  You have to go slow and you cannot go too far but it worked great.  I lifted the boat a few inches, the driver deflated the air suspension as much as he could and then he backed his trailer under the boat.  We then used big wooden blocks to support the boat, inflated the air suspension and up we went to the ramp.  Once there, we reversed the process and waited for the tide to pick up the boat.  The reverse procedure could easily be done to get the boat out of the water.  Renting a truck like that is surprisingly not too expensive if you are flexible with dates and deal with an owner/operator.  Instead of having a ''dead'' Sunday morning, he was glad to accept a few hundred dollars cash :-)

Hope this helps and good luck

Martin

[DAN]

Hi Martin and Jacques,

Interesting ideas, especially the thought of hiring 16 wheel barrows on a friday afternoon to be returned monday!

My main issue is I need to get onto a trailer, off the trailer at the hard (or similar area) and then (a few days later) into the water. Another issue is I need time to assemble as my boat was built in a confined space,so some items are not tested. In SA the tide is not very big and we have no protected bays from our strong winds, so I am forced to  use one of our few slips.

I am sure an answer will pop up, but at the moment the truck, crane and riggers all want equal hefty sums of money. 

Will keep you all posted!

[Ann and Neville Clement]

Dan,

    I watched the launch of Jacques boat.  You do not understand what he did.   Let me explain and maybe Jacques will send photos.  Nothing could be simpler.

    He used wheels that were made for wheel barrows and attached them to the wooden home made cradles and then he tied ropes to a jeep and pulled the assembled boat to the top of the slipway.  Then he blocked the wheels while he moved the jeep behind the boat and controlled its progress down the slope to the water.  Friends were on hand for the process and everything was easy and fun.

     Transferring the boat from the shed on the farm several miles across town to the water was another lovely home made adventure as clever menfolk did every single thing themselves.  Jacques, you really do need to send in the pictures!  It was just wonderful fun the whole time.  And Jacques did not pay one single dollar to any truck or crane or rigger at all. 

     Ann and Nev

[DAN]

Hi All,

Everyones circumstances , and especially location, play huge roll in how their launch will proceed. (Paul - not many farm tractors in my post code, but appreciate the angle.) I do understand how the wheel barrow wheels work, my build has been on 150mm castors since I turned the hulls. Well worth the money. It was just a flippant remark on how I was going to acquire those wheels!

Pictures are good. I got mailed one by a friend today, of another way of launching a T38. See attached for all interested.

Amazing how small a launch dolly can be, but would need bigger wheels for poor quality slip. But at a guess would pay for themselves  by next anti foul if you frequent yacht clubs , and be easy to store. The owner actually keeps them on his boat while cruising. (flippancy again - eases launching stress!)

Keep the pics/ideas coming.

[Ann and Neville Clement]

That first launch is stressful, but once she is in the water and dancing in her intended element, she will charm and delight you and make all that hard building work well worth it.  All the best,  Ann and Nev

[Rogerio Martin]

Look my Trenó Tiki

http://tikirio.blogspot.com/2011/12/treno-tiki.html