Thanks Tom and everyone!

:: 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