Jason,

Thanks for the suggestion about using foam blocks. While looking for big blocks of foam, I unexpectedly found a Travel-Lift I can use for up to a week while I repair and paint the keel. So now I'm back to almost my original question.

Where's the best place to locate the Travel-Lift slings if the boat is to hang for a few days?

Thanks.

John

----------------------------

:: John,
::
:: One thing I have done that worked well was to just place
:: large pieces of dock styrofoam on top of the existing
:: pads. Make sure they are all about the same size then
:: place them on the pads. When you hoist the boat out of
:: the water just place it on the blocks and you will now
:: have about a foot underneath the keel. I wouldn't drive
:: the boat too far but will certainly work sitting at the
:: club.
::

:: -Jason

::
:: :: I want to build a cradle with two fiberglass shoes to
:: :: support the hull while the keel hangs above the ground
:: :: in order to repair some sounding damage.
::
:: :: I'm looking for suggestions as to the best location for
:: :: the aft shoe.
:: ::
:: :: I'm guessing the forward shoe should probably be under
:: :: the mast support bulkhead - between the keel and depth
:: :: sounder. But aft of the keel there isn't much structure
:: :: inside the hull until the semi-bulkhead under the aft
:: :: end of the cockpit which is 13' from the forward shoe.
:: :: I'd like to make the cradle collapsible, like a builders
:: :: scaffold, and smaller than 13' long. Do you think a
:: :: fitted shoe say 9' back from the forward bulkhead would
:: :: provide adequate support for the hull?