just wondering if anyone has advice. I have a 27 ft keel boat. it is moored in melbourne i was thinking of transporting it home 10km from where it is, so i can do major maintenance on it. Has anyone done this, looking for the most cost effective way. Where can i get a cradle, what are the down side to this, any info would be greatly appreciated
Cheers

Globetrotter said...

just wondering if anyone has advice. I have a 27 ft keel boat. it is moored in melbourne i was thinking of transporting it home 10km from where it is, so i can do major maintenance on it. Has anyone done this, looking for the most cost effective way. Where can i get a cradle, what are the down side to this, any info would be greatly appreciated
Cheers

You could build your own timber cradle and sit it all in a tandem trailer [ mast out first].
And put the boat into the contraption with a travellift. then home with it ,and your tandem is tied up for the duration. [odd way ]
Or slip it in port phillip somewhere and do all the work there. [normal] mast may still have to come out to rerig .

regards james

maxm said...

Apologies for an off topic question I know but... Ramona - what is the "wooden tripod" method? I don't think I've come across it.

Portaslip is the mob you're talking about... http://www.portaslip.com.au/

For smaller yachts, probably up to 32 feet or so with deck stepped masts, single spreader rigs, lowering the mast should be fairly easy. Two timber poles or aluminium about two feet longer than the height of the spreader off the deck when the poles are rigged from the gunwale and joined together at the peak. The photo should explain the layout.
The poles have to be firmly attached to the gunwale and the poles braced for and aft. Block at the peak and rope with a loop is raised up under the spreader to take the weight. Forestay, backstay and shrouds are eased and undone and with someone to guide the mast base, the whole lot is raised a few inches then rotated to horizontal as the mast is lowered. Masts don't weigh much, just awkward.
Keel mounted masts could probably be done this way too but the poles would have to a lot longer.

Actually thinking about it its not a tripod, there is only two poles.

Thanks Ramona. That does look easy and stress free.

Yes she is a Mk 1 single spreader rig and the section is the Taskers T10 or 11 which is affectionately known as "The Tree".

I am a long way from putting the mast up yet but I think a couple of lengths of scaff tube would be a good investment any way. Lots of other things I can do with it like spinnaker poles or land yacht frames.

What I have in mind is using measurements I take off the yacht and building the bipod set up and doing a dummy run with the mast on the ground in the boat yard.

When I get to that stage I will photograph it and post on the forum but it will be a while yet. Cheers Cisco.

I recently tranported my 42' Gazelle schooner about 60' LOA from western VIC to the Goldcoast no problems at all and is now in my back yard
Only need a pilot if beam is more than 11' 6" and mine is 11' 4.5".
My advice is get plenty of quotes because they vary alot!
Crane companies can be rip offs so be carefull.
I was lucky my guys were good both ends and the transport guys were awesome no stress at all.
I made my own cradle and used the plans of the boat for all the dimentions.
I brought A big "I" beam from the scrap yard which they delivered and got everything else from the steel factory, most of which were off cuts and 8 high tensile bolts.
All up the cradle cost about $400 including paint.
It was a nervess moment when the 120ton crain lowered her down I can assure but everything was sweet. All thoughs hours thinking and making sure "everything"
was right had paid off
Having her at home is great I can work on her day and night and I have heaps of storage space so theres nothing in the way when im working.
I also setup my garden shed as a workshop and tool storage which is very handy also can hide in there when its raining and still get heaps done.
The biggest advantage for me is the cost to have her at home "free" and I can work for 2 mins or all day and night and not have to go anywhere
There has been alot of progress since these photos were taken.

Hi Globetrotter
LoL... You can waste the whole day at the ship yard just with chit chat

Sorry I dont know any crane drivers in Melb, I used warnambool cranes. Its best to call and get quotes from a few and allow plenty of time to book both crane and truck because there always busy.

The old fella that was building her became ill so the project became just a hobby for him as he loved the sea and he was a real sailer, can tell by the way she has been fitout for comfort at sea. He passed away last year and I brought her from the family. I sold my Compass 28 to get her as we needed something bigger to live on and cruise long term.
I also got lots of his old books and just about everything to finish her off.
He spent alot of money buying everything and its all new just needs fitting. I have lots of old world stuff like deadeyes, very nice bronze steering wheel and lots of nice timber work that he made. She looks like an old girl in the photos because she was never finished been painted but she is brand new never been near the salt.
Im hoping to take about 1 to 2 years at most to finish her off and I really look forward to launching her for the first time, Shame the old fella can't be there, Id like to see the smile on his face.
There are lots of little details put into her that I can appreciate that will make cruising a pleasure, she's a real little ship
This fit out in picture is Tom Colvens original but he modified it and I have the same modified version thats not pictured.