Steel Cradle Questions

[juanacruz]

Hello all, I am building/welding a steel cradle for my cal 34, it will be welded to a 24' triple axle trailer, Question is: should I use standard square pads (adjustable) or is it better for the boat to use a long 2 x 6, or 2x 8 to cradle the boat, I am bring the boat to my home to be worked on?

[AnchorageGuy]

the only suggestion I can make is to consider that the Marinas use pads as do all of the over the road haulers for every size boat. Getting longer supports to conform to the hull shape is going to be difficult on your boat and will leave a lot of area unsupported. WG

[GordMay]

Form fitted cradles generally run athwartship (not fore & aft bunks).
Adjustable pads are ok.
Marinas and truckers use adjustable pads for their universal adjustability, not because they think they provide “better” support.

[James S]

Why a cradle...why not just weld the normal three legged supports like a typical sailboat trailer...or is that what you're talking about.
I'd go with the pads.

[barnakiel]

And make sure the supports are not onto unsupported parts of lamination. Ours support exactly at bulkheads.

b.

[Boracay]

My thinking runs towards an extra pair (or two!) of uprights, good transverse straps to hold them against the boat , oversize pads with rubber and extra thick carpet and maybe a few well padded holddown straps to keep everything in place.

Once you start moving it's going to be real hard to fix anything.

[Captin_Kirk]

If you used a long support as opposed to pads it would make doing hull work difficult. (Painting and such) At least with a pad, there is only a couple spots that you cannot access while it is in the cradle. That is my 2 cents.

[Blue Stocking]

Originally Posted by barnakiel

And make sure the supports are not onto unsupported parts of lamination. Ours support exactly at bulkheads.

b.

b., I think you got the most important point.

[James S]

I suppose that makes sense on one level, but I think the reality is there should be almost no pressure on the pads if the boats sitting on her keel....I guess they would be some fore or aft if shes not full keeled.

[barnakiel]

James you are right in any static environment. Then think the boat gets moved or hit by a gust. So in the static aspect there will be next to nill pressure, but there might 'come' pressure at any time of storage/movement.

b.

[GordMay]

Some good basic info' at Cradle Features
➥ JOWI Sailboat Cradle Features

[James S]

Originally Posted by barnakiel

James you are right in any static environment. Then think the boat gets moved or hit by a gust. So in the static aspect there will be next to nill pressure, but there might 'come' pressure at any time of storage/movement.

b.

Yes off course, you are right....the pads should be placed at bulkheads or a stringer.
I wasn't thinking this through.
Thanks Barnakiel.

[juanacruz]

Good info guys, I think my question has been answered. I will weld the steel cradles to the trailer in a location at bulkheads after the boat has been supported by normal boat stands temoprarily. I will have adjustable screw jacks located at approx. 90 deg to hull shape. the bow will snug up over the gooseneck of the trailer... sound good?

[Charlie]

Have you looked into the hydraulic boat lifts. They can pick the boat up in the water and then lift it up and drop it back at you house. I know they have them in Washington State

[juanacruz]

Hey Charlie, good idea , I looked into the hydraulic trailer but problem is that seems like a long wait until the transporter has other boats to move so hes not going down or coming home empty. Not to mention when I'm finished with the boat in a year or two I'm stuck paying again , even though the ocean is just a mile away. I could have them come down from portland or washington just for my boat and then your looking at about $3000.00 . And I bought a heavy duty triple axle trailer for $900 and My friend and I have already welded supports. The best part is that I can move, and take the boat , also allows us to launch the boat in a better sailing area than southern OR. And when we do relaunch the boat Ill have a decent trailer for sale to recoup some $$$.... Thanks