16 replies to this topic

[dan905]

Does anybody know how to move a Melges 24 keel ring one hole forward? Mine is on the last hole and not aligned with the lift points.

[Pelle]

Why do you want to move it? It is in the correct position for lifting the keel.

[dan905]

I will be lifting the keel and the boat using the crane. Thus I need the ring and the lift points of the hull to be aligned. Am I missing something?

[forss]

I guess you are doing something wrong.

Do you lift the keel with this winch?

[dan905]

No. I normally won't use the keel crane. Just the lift straps and the keel ring. They all get hooked to the crane that lifts the boat.

[airacer]

We lift the boat without the keel crane all the time. Just hook everything together at the ring on top of the keel. No problems.

[dan905]

Thanks airacer. But where is the ring positioned on your keel? Mine is on the rear-most hole...

[airacer]

The lifting ring is in the rear-most hole. just walked out and looked at the boat to confirm. If you haven't gotten them yet consider investing in the keel protectors and keep them in place while traveling and lifting the boat.

[dan905]

Ok, thanks! One less thing to deal with!

[Pelle]

Are you really lifting the boat in the keel ring? It is nowhere strong enough to do that safely. It will not break directly but the safetyfactor is slim. On a second thought peoplr are maybe connecting the lifting strap to the ring?

[dan905]

The lift straps are connected to the lift points. Then the straps and the ring are being lifted by the crane. The straps must be the right length to match the height of the extracted keel. Thus you don't have the weight of the keel on your lift points when you lift the boat.

[Pelle]

OK that makes sense

[Jerryd]

The lift straps are connected to the lift points. Then the straps and the ring are being lifted by the crane. The straps must be the right length to match the height of the extracted keel. Thus you don't have the weight of the keel on your lift points when you lift the boat.

What are you guys using for straps?

[dan905]

What are you guys using for straps?

The old straps are too long and worn-out. The new ones will be made of the car towing strap, like this one:
http://www.canadiantire.ca/AST/browse/4/Auto/Towing/TieDownsTowing/PRD~0402671P/15-ft.+Tow+Strap.jsp?locale=en

[rodnichols69]

Are you saying that you have lifted the boat using the keel ring?

The keel ring and the pad eyes in the keel box are used independent of one another. The pad eyes in the keel box are used to lift the boat. The keel ring is for lifting the keel, but only with the keel crane.

Never connect the lifting straps to the keel ring. If you need to lift the keel use the keel crane. This eliminates the posibility of damaging the foil.

Do not move the keel lifting eye. If the eye is moved the keel will be lifted at an angle in the keel box, guaranteed to damage the foil.

If you are lifting the entire boat only use the pad eyes in the keel box and let the boat support the keel.

If for some reason you need to keep the keel up while lifting the boat, use the keel crane to support the keel and the lifting straps shackeld to the pad eyes in the keel box to hoist the boat. Note: you will need 6' straps to lift the boat this way.

Keel crane supporting the keel and boat being hoisted

[Savage 17]

Your lift straps should be long enough to go to the keel ring to lift the boat with the keel up. It all depends on how you want the lift the boat. I have lifted the boat with the keel down and locked in before leaving the trailer or lifted the boat with the keel all the way up.

[arr4ws]

Have fun!