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