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