[Rhodes22-list] Lifting Frame

[Michael D. Weisner]

Art,

I will dig up my photos of my own lifting rig (or make some new ones in the
spring) to show you how I have safely lifted my R22 off the trailer for
bottom painting for the last 20 years.  I generally leave the trailer under
the boat while painting, for my own comfort, but she has never fallen.

The lifting system requires 2 12'-4x4s, 3 8'-4x4s, 2 8'-2x6s, a 20' tow
chain w/hooks (2-ton test), 1 chain coupler (or bolt) , 5 10"-1/2" carriage
bolt/nut/washer, 4 5"-1/2" carriage bolt/nut/washer, 1 2-ton and 1 1-ton
"come along" winches.  The entire assembly can be purchased from Home Depot
for about $200.  Basically, the 2 12' 4x4 are assembled into an "A", bolted
through by a 10" bolt at the top and placed around the front of the trailer,
over the bow pulpit.  A cut length of the chain is looped around the top of
the "A", at the vertex, connected to the 2-T winch to the bow lift eye
(protect the bow and rub rail from damage.)  The 8' 4x4s are assembled into
a "Pi shape" with cross bracing using the 2x6 materials.  The ends of the
tow chain are hooked into the stern lift eyes and attached to the cross
piece of the "Pi."  To lift the stern, I lower the front of the trailer to
the ground and shorten the stern chains to just connect.  Then, when I jack
up the front of the trailer, the stern "lifts" off the trailer.  Next, I
lift the bow with the come along and presto she is off the trailer.  The
second come along is to stabilize the stern "Pi frame" so that the lifting
frame does not shift forward, since the frames are erected slightly tilted
towards the boat.

If you are interested, I will post pix, a drawing and bill of materials.

Mike
s/v Shanghai'd Summer


From: "Arthur H. Czerwonky" <czerwonky at earthlink.net>
Sent: Monday, September 18, 2006 11:43 AM
> Hank,
> Congrats on the boat.  I have a foredeck project also, so look forward to
hearing about your progress on yours.  I'm curious about your 4x4 A Frame.
Did you have a third leg for stability and support.  I am pondering building
a lifting rig so I can work on the boat off the trailer.  Thx and happy
project.
> Art