moving boat to second floor shop

[Pete Dorr]

Problem:

My Beetlecat restoration project is bascially stalled in part because the boat is in the garage and ends up being a catch all for junk.

I need to do something as I really don't want the boat to sit in the garage for another winter.

Options:

1) Bring the boat to someone else and pay them to finish the work.

2) Donate the boat to IYRS.

3) Move the boat to my above garage workshop.

I'm inclined to go with #3 as I don't want to get rid of the boat and want the experience working on it.

When we built the house I put a barn hay loft type door at the back of the shop at floor level. The bottom of this door is about 10' above grade.

The problem is how to get the boat up to the shop.

I've thought of a few solutions but would like opinions.

FYI - boat weighs about 450#.

Solutions:

1) ramp & rollers - make a ramp out of some 2x16 stock and make a sled that the boat would sit on and then using rollers or casters pull the boat up until it pivots at the top and then slide the sled the rest of the way in.

2) Ramp & pulleys - make a ramp out of 2x stock and secure the top end to the opening and then use some posts to make a lifting system at the ground end. I'm sure with a 4-1 pulley system I could lift the back end of the boat with no trouble. When the boat is level or nearly level with the shop floor - pull it in.

Anyone care to comment on my solutions or suggest something different.

Thanks
Pete

[skuthorp]

Is it a pitched roof and is the ridge above the door? If so is the ridge beam strong enough to extend enough, braced by sheer legs from below, to lift the boat on a pulley system? I think with the ramp Idea the effort required would require a very strong ramp structure and a difficult angle of pull. Failing that how about a mobile crane?
I'm no engineer though, I'm sure you'll get better advice from members who are. Good Luck

[OEX]

tripod (or off header beam as stated)and block and tackle!

I have moved things like this up by:
1) Attaching a pulley on the roof beam some where a few feet into the building.
2) Fixing straps to the boat (make sure the straps support hull, but so they cannot slip fore or aft, net like).
3) Have two vehicles with winches on the bumpers.
4) Run one winch cable up to the roof pulley and down to the straps (all combined to net the boat).
5) Attach the other winch to the straps with a pulley and back to the vehicle.
6) Use both vehicles winches together to lift the boat up as well as keep it clear of the building until it is level with the door.
7) Back the one winch out to let it slowly swing into the door and the other winch is lastly backed off to lower it.

I know you will all yell about this, but if the pulley inside the building is attached well (three straps around the beam spread out a bit and not allowed to move), this will work if its a true beam.
I did this because I have the vehicles and a lot of winch experience. Most 4x4 winches will be well strong enough (8000lbs or more if they are really using their 4x4s). Be very careful with winches---wear gloves, stand back, etc----I can send you a waiver!

This solution allows you to not have to extend the roof beam or be forces to build a tripod.

Where do you live? Near CT? I would be glad to help if so.

cheers, Bruce

If you do not want her, other than IRYS you could get her to a good home via the Wooden Boat Rescue Foundation---your boat will go to a person who will love it. Nothing against IRYS at ALL, just it will be lost in the shuffle.

Best thing is for you to do the work!

Cheers, Bruce

[cs]

If you have an opening in the floor of the loft I would look into the idea of using a chain host.

If you use the ramp option, making a sled with some heavy casters should not be a problem, than useing a pully system or a winch should work.

Bar that, 450 lbs, a few friends, and free beer, you might be able to carry it up.

Chad

[Brian Palmer]

How about renting a scissor lift?

-- Brian

[Ken Hutchins]

I put snowmobiles on the second floor of my barn with a ramp and pull them up with a rope from the snowmobiles up thru a single turning block attached up high at the opposite end of the barn, then back out to a vehicle. Pull on the rope with the vehicle and up they go. I strongly recommend low stretch rope, not nylon otherwise the boat will make a quick semi not controlled trip up the ramp. The ramp need not be expensive, a pair of 16 ft 2 x 6's with cross boards every foot or 2. add a support leg in the middle of the ramp.

[George Roberts]

renting some type of lift does seem to get the job done in a reasonable amount of time with little risk.

[JimConlin]

Sign installers have light cranes on smallish vehicles. I'd think that 450# is within their capacity. If you catch one in a quiet period, it might be reasonable.

[Farmer Diddley]

I'm sorry that I don't have any suggestions for you, but whichever method you choose, please take and post plenty of photos

[Alan D. Hyde]

You're in Massachusetts, I see.

Can you borrow some of those big inflatable salvors bladders from a local salvor???

Put them under the boat, stabilize the boat with port & starboard and fore and aft lines, and then inflate until you're even with the mow door, and push it in.

Think ahead to prevent surprises (unintended movements of the boat or bladders).

If you do it right, why wouldn't it work???

Alan

[ 09-20-2005, 12:53 PM: Message edited by: Alan D. Hyde ]

[ssor]

Building material companies have high-lift fork lift trucks that can easily handle a half ton. pick it up a tuck it through the door and bring it down when you're finished. [img]smile.gif[/img] And nobody gets hurt.

[David W Pratt]

I vote for Mr. Hutchins' suggestion.
Alternatively, wait for the hurricane and just float it in on the surge.
Good luck.

[Pete Dorr]

I'm going to try the ramp - 16' might not be too steep of an angle - if it is I'll make it 20'

The main beam of the roof is stout, about 6" x 20" laminated beam, so I can hook the tackle to it.

I have a 4-1 pulley system that I can use or I may just get a trailer crank.

I like the float in suggestion but there has not been that kind of water since Noah was captain of the Ark.

[J. A.Tones]

Pete - I agree with the ramp of 2by with a brace mid point idea. I have a similar type shop but the upper story is for storage. As well as being involved with wooden boats I also restore British sports cars. Am I nuts or what !! I currently have a Triumph Spitfire in the upper area that I slid up a ramp of 16 ft. 2 x 12's using a boat trailer winch that is mounted to the roof beams about 3/4 of the way forward of the doors. It was supprising just how easy the car went up. I should point out that it was minus engine and transmission so it was not all that much more weight than you will be looking at with a completed boat.
Good luck but try and keep your project going.

[Bob Cleek]

I'd get a decent sized fork lift from the local rental place and just lift and place it through the doors. Couldn't cost more than a few bucks for an hour or two rental. You may even know somebody who has one that would agree to bring it by. Know anybody who's got a warehouse operation?

[JimConlin]

Perhaps this is useful-

KANSAS CITY, KS—As the debate over the teaching of evolution in public schools continues, a new controversy over the science curriculum arose Monday in this embattled Midwestern state. Scientists from the Evangelical Center For Faith-Based Reasoning are now asserting that the long-held "theory of gravity" is flawed, and they have responded to it with a new theory of Intelligent Falling.

More HERE

[pipefitter]

If you were going to use that space more than once,why not just install an I-beam gantry with a remote controlled warn winch on rollers.Would ride the i-beam all the way in and you could do it by yourself without a sweat.Would make the best use of that door.Could even be made to swing out of the way up against the building when not in use as long as the building is strong enough to support it or it could be fixed permanently in place with an end support.

[John Turpin]

Whatever approach you take, however it turns out, please give us pictures. Even if it goes very very wrong (and I'm sure it won't), you must have a photographer standing by to capture it for us.

[Dan McCosh]

Red Green did a fork lift out of two cross-country skis, an extension ladder, and a K-car with a line attached to the power roof.

[Ross M]

Originally titled "Why Women Live Longer":

[Mike Vogdes]

Pete,

Why not just clean the garage out and find a place for all the junk? Basement crawlspace or trash it, but move it to a new spot, then gather all the stuff needed to finish your boat and get at it.
Moving a 450lb boat to the second floor is a real pain in the ass and when its finished you will then have to very carefully move it back down.

I find if I have a space cleared, all the materials and tools at hand and a good plan of attack it goes together much easier.

[adampet]

Pete,
I had this very problem when I went to move a beetle cat for my sister-in-law, from Cape Cod to San Francisco. I transported it on top of my Ford Van. I created a cradle for it, set up ramps and used another car to pull it up the ramps. The top of the van was about 7 feet tall.
No problem, no drama, just a smooth slide.

I like to say, we move things the old fashioned way, with ramps and rollers!

When we got to San Fran it came off the roof with six guys. Again no fuss.

I'm just down the road in Brewster and can round up some muscle without too much trouble. E-mail me and I'll give you a call.
Adam

[FG]

Seems like the junk in the garage would be easier to move to me!!

[katiedobe]

Did this beetle cat ever get up to the barn loft?

[geeman]

Keep in mind that if you work on the boat after you put it up there, it will be heavier when you take it back down right?

[Wild Wassa]

"Seems like the junk in the garage would be easier to move to me!!"

Far too lateral FG, ... that is not what it is about. Pictures of junk being carted up to the loft just will not do.

Warren.

[Salted Nuts]

Gentlemen, call me silly (as I'm sure I am), but where will the boat go once it is completed and being used every weekend? Surely that won't be in the loft above the garage. Allocating the space now would be a good place to build it?

[Pete Dorr]

Sad to say I sold the boat. I never was finding time to work on it. Much better to have it fixed up by someone else and put back into use than sitting in my garage.

Never did try to get it to the second floor.