Turning over 16ft for hull maintenace

[DFS]

1959 Thompson 16 ft, plywood lap - Looking for method, plans, photos, creative ideas, etc. of how to roll over to do bottom maintenance. Hull is in very good condition, but needs annual scraping and repainting. Thanks, DFS

(Tried to search archives in case this topic had been covered before, but came up blank)

[james burt]

in this month's Wooden Boat, they show a large boat being turned over by two people. 3 tires on the edge, and pulled it over on the tires.

[Gary E]

Youl find several ways to turn it over, but WHY? it's a hassel... not to mention all the stuff that'l fall out.

If ya dont like laying on your back to doit, maybe just letting one side down and tipping the other side up will be good nuf to work on one side at a time...Use a few ropes and a tree.

[Tristan]

When I was younger (25 yrs ago), I turned over a 22' Strip planked Bahama sloop hull for glassing (it had been built upright). After glassing it I turned it back over again. Did both turns alone. From upright to upside down, I put it on it's side, then propped it there with a 2" by 4" (pre-measured) against the keel. Went around to the other side, and pulled it toward me, was able to lower it, to upside-down, alone. Pieces of plywood were pre-positioned for the stem and transom to rest on, to keep them out of the dirt (I was outside). When the glassing and grinding had been accomplished I hoisted up one side, propped it there with a 2" by 4" that I'd had resting against the side as I lifted it, went to the other side (the bottom), and pulled it toward me. I had a couple tires for the keel to drop on, as couldn't control it's weight all the way down (the slick, glassed side offered no grip). The secret to turning this way is as follows: 1.clear all kids, dogs, cats, from the site, 2. arrange for enough muscle to lift the boat onto it's side. If it's upright, drop it over on one bilge 'till you and your buddies can get aholt of the keel. Use timbers to pry up the bow and stern if necessry, to gain access to the keel. 3. Grab the keel and roll that sumbitch on her side, and send a team member to the other side. Ease her over a little further 'till team member is holding 20 lbs or so of weight, then shift the team to the other side and ease her down. 4. the rule for success in this kind of turn is to almost balance the boat on her side, with just a few pounds of positive lean, prop her, then move to the other side and pull her on over. You'll need only a few pounds of pull to get her across dead center. Good to have several people, a couple or so to "catch" her when she goes over, and one to push her on over to the catchers (bad form to lose her and have her fall back to her original position). Be sure to clear the area so if you lose control you can get the hell out of the way without stumbling and falling into the path of the out of control boat. Old tires can be placed as shock absorbers in case you do lose control. A year ago I turned a 16 foot strip planked Bahama hull with the help of a young, strong, neighbor. Using a 2" by 4" pry bar, I then raised the boat high enough to put her onto a dolly I'd built. Rolled her into my garage and have been a'bulding ever since. Amazing what one can do with a little elbow grease and a pry bar. Hint, find a couple young strong bucks and say something like, "Well, I'd like to turn my boat, but I think it's way too heavy for you guys. Guess I'd better hire a crane." They'll have her turned in no time!

[ 06-06-2005, 01:53 PM: Message edited by: Tristan ]

[George Roberts]

I prefer enough people or tools to fully support the entire boat weight at all times but ...

[Domesticated_Mr. Know It All]

A 16 footer with everything removed (windshield, seats, etc) only weighs between 300 and 400 pounds. I have lots of friends (with strong backs and weak minds) who like pizza and beer. Can you see where I'm going with this? :D
The tires are a good idea.
So is serving the beer afterwards. ;)