Mark- As info Witchy Woman had some deck damage at the through deck port for the main lifting strap. I also was not happy with the deflection in the strap as it went through the deck. I used a larger 6" port and moved the hole forward so there would be less deflection in the strap. Basically, when I cut the new hole I kept the aft position of the hole and enlarged the cut forward for the new port. I too use 1/4" spectra to large 2000# load rated carabeaners to the aft corners of the deck where I have two Winchard eye bolts (where I attach the spin blocks). The new set up works perfectly, with the whole forward, and instead of 6" of deflection there is maybe a 1" of deflection in the main strap. I don't screw around with with extra eye points on the top of the sling where the crane attaches, I just use one 14000# load rated tow strap webbing that attaches to the keel eye (bolts) with a large galvanized shackle and the aft steadying lines (legs) attach to the tow strap right below where the crane attaches. I would not use the winches to lift the boat ever, nor anything near the cabin top to help lift the boat, as the shock loading can be fairly high. Also, try to keep the bow down, to keep the mast clear of the crane....Hope this helps. Tom Jenkins

:: Sure, I'll chime in. Whatever triangular strap you have
:: bolted to the keel bears the weightof he boat. This must
:: be absolutly bombproof. The various arrangments of
:: straps/lines to whinches or side rails keep the boat
:: flat, or slightly bow down, when hoisting. These must be
:: strong, too. Adjust the weight of the sails and things
:: in the boat so the boat wants to hang flat and slightly
:: bow down. You want it bow down so the mast doesn't hit
:: the hoist crane. Put maybe the beer cooler or 20 pounds
:: on the bow when hoisting. And always keep carefull watch
:: that the spreaders do not get hung up on the hoist
:: crane. SDK
::
:: :: Hi Maryann . . . I'm not sure about using the winches to
:: :: attach the braces . . . without a backing plate down
:: :: below (not necessarily fender washers) . . . someone
:: :: else who does might want to chime in on their time
:: :: tested experience attaching directly to winches.
:: ::
:: :: I also do not cross sheet winches . . . because their
:: :: not angled to pull in toward the center of the boat . .
:: :: . and you can see this action tweek the deck in toward
:: :: center at winches . . . although for hositing the boat,
:: :: likely a situation with less weight.
:: ::
:: :: mb
:: ::
:: :: :: I have the triangular lifting arrangement but have been
:: :: :: attaching to the winches (several wraps w/ half
:: :: :: hitches), since I removed the toerail. Is there any
:: :: :: reason why I shouldn't be doing this?
:: :: ::
:: :: :: Also, it seems to be difficult to keep the main strap
:: :: :: centered in the port throughout the lifting process.
:: :: :: Does anyone have any suggestions?
:: :: ::
:: :: ::
:: :: :: :: Hi, Yes, the sling lifting trianglur strap in the bildge
:: :: :: :: is NOT a single point lifting point . . . requiring two
:: :: :: :: braces from top of sling to rail (each side) back by the
:: :: :: :: primaries or farther aft for maximum bracing leverage.
:: :: :: ::
:: :: :: :: I would not cut up the boat; personally.
:: :: :: ::
:: :: :: :: My sling is 4 of 5 Star tensil chain with large
:: :: :: :: stainless shakles on each end.
:: :: :: ::
:: :: :: :: The Up end has one piece of high strength lined attached
:: :: :: :: to the top shackly (mid length) using a cow hitch . . .
:: :: :: :: and carbiner hooks on each tail. . . one on each for
:: :: :: :: attachement to perforated toe rail. Always hook
:: :: :: :: Carbiners gate up to take the max load.
:: :: :: ::
:: :: :: :: Same arranegemebnt is used for boats with T track rails
:: :: :: :: & cars for attachement . . . or U bolts thru deck at
:: :: :: :: brace attach points; port & starboard.
:: :: :: ::
:: :: :: :: mb
:: :: :: :: :: I presume the boat was set up for a three point bridal
:: :: :: :: :: so it would be stable while suspended.
:: :: :: :: ::
:: :: :: :: :: We had a nylon lift strap made with a shackle for the
:: :: :: :: :: strap on the keel bolts, up through the port to a point
:: :: :: :: :: about 1-1/2 feet above the deck. There's a heavy steel
:: :: :: :: :: ring on the top end of the main strap. Two smaller nylon
:: :: :: :: :: straps come off that same ring and are sized to center
:: :: :: :: :: the main strap in the port with the boat level. They
:: :: :: :: :: have carabiners at the deck end and these clip to the
:: :: :: :: :: toe rail outboard of the winches.
:: :: :: :: ::
:: :: :: :: :: I cant see why a 6 inch port wouldn't work. Just
:: :: :: :: :: remember there needs to be a clearance cutout on the
:: :: :: :: :: front edge of the hatch for the port.
:: :: :: :: ::
:: :: :: :: :: Bob Harvey
:: :: :: :: ::
:: :: :: :: :: :: We just recently purchased an E27. Could anyone tell me
:: :: :: :: :: :: why the port for the hoisting strap doesn't align with
:: :: :: :: :: :: the strap. There must be some reason for this. I read an
:: :: :: :: :: :: earlier post discussing how two extra lines secured to
:: :: :: :: :: :: the toe line near the winches are required to center the
:: :: :: :: :: :: strap through the hole.
:: :: :: :: ::
:: :: :: :: :: :: The former owner of this boat obviously did not realize
:: :: :: :: :: :: this as there is damage to the deck at the port.
:: :: :: :: :: ::
:: :: :: :: :: :: I am planning on cutting out the damage and putting a
:: :: :: :: :: :: 6" port instead. Is there any reason I could not do
:: :: :: :: :: :: this?
:: :: :: :: :: ::
:: :: :: :: :: :: Mark