[Public-List] More on lifting Alberg 30's

[crufone at comcast.net]

John, 



I have a question for you and others.  When I designed my trailer I failed to plan for where the aft lifting strap would fall when the boat was close to being set onto the trailer.  I designed the trailer so that when properly loaded the aft foot or so of the keel wound be off the end of the trailer center support, to allow the aft strap to be placed under the aft part of the keel.  The issue is that, according to Murphy, I failed to realize that the aft straps interfere with the aft trailer support jacks for the hull of the boat.  What I have done up to this point is to lift the boat under the keel and set it on the trailer as far forward as possible.  At this point the keel is protruding about 2 feet aft of the trailer, but is firmly on the trailer, which is attached to the tow vehicle.  The aft strap is then disconnected and inserted thru the prop aperture and then the boat is only lifted slightly to scoot it forward into the bow stop on the trailer.  This makes me a bit nervous until the aft strap can be repositioned, but all has seemed to work fine. 

I really don't like lifting the boat from anywhere but under the keel aft and as far aft as possible near the forward cutaway. 



I never considered lifting the Alberg 30 by placing the aft strap under the counter as far forward to the rudder post as possible.  I was really fearful that the boat would tear apart. 



I also just lash the fore and aft straps to each other along the gunwale and provide a photograph for the crane 

opperator so they know where to position the straps while she is in the water.  You cleat the straps to the boat, as you would a spring line to a dock piling?  Is that better/safer? 



Thanks for yours and others input on this lifting proceedure.  I would like to do what is safest and best for the boat. 
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "John Birch" < Sunstone at cogeco.ca > 
To: "Alberg 30 Public List -- open to all" < public-list at lists.alberg30.org > 
Sent: Wednesday, November 12, 2008 11:32:19 AM GMT -05:00 US/Canada Eastern 
Subject: Re: [Public-List] Lifting boat by rudder ~ solution 

I've been the Facilities Director of our Club for 4 years ending 2 years ago 
and have lifted many an Alberg, my own included. I am ticketed to direct and 
signal the crane. 

To avoid this type of error I strongly recommend doing a Counter Lift when 
the boat is in the water, that is placing the aft strap behind the rudder 
and lifting from just behind the horn timber. 

When Launching, where we can see the placement clearly, we do the 
traditional Keel lift. 

The boat will take it just fine and there is much less chance of error. 

Always check the rudder for being free when the straps start to load up and 
stop and lower the boat immediately if either of the following two things 
happen: 

1. the tiller immediately moves to the side as the straps tighten 

2. the tiller feels like it has any drag on it 

Always have a person on shore looking under the counter as she starts to 
rise to ensure the strap is behind the horn timber 

And don't forget to tie the straps together and fore and aft to a strong 
point like the bow and stern cleats - leading the line along the sheer and 
through the stanchions fairly without point loading anything to avoid strap 
slipping 


ATB 

John