lifting points - marking at hull...

[User_U]

Hi guys,

does anybody know some rules which advise the boatbuilder to fix some lifting markings at the hull to indicate where the crane with belts should lift a boat?

I have not found anything in German Lloyd and all ISO-Standards for recreational crafts...:confused:

No need to discuss that they should be there - concerning weight and strength of hull structure ist could be very usefull :D to know where to lift - but what I am really looking fore are any rules and information about it....

Thanks in advance, greets from Germany...

[safewalrus]

No rules as far as I am aware! Normally left up to the rigger / crane driver / supervisor (whatever you want to call them) at each lift.:rolleyes: Occasionally an Architect MAY put some information in his drawings! :rolleyes: But it's a thing most people don't recognise as boats don't normally spend their lives swinging around in the air.

Occasionally, if the boat is required to be lifted regularly (ships boats etc) chains and lugs will be fitted but this is very much an experience & individual thing!:cool:

No doubt some 'expert' will come up with some far fetched idea but I've never seen it - that is not to say there isn't such a thing!:o

[stevel]

I marked my boat after the first time that I had it hoisted. I am the only person who knows what my marks mean, and I'm actually planning to change the marks when I repaint this year. The original mark was a paint dot on the top edge of the rubrail. When I repaint, I will put a small tick in the bootstripe. If you come across any rules, please share, as I would probably follow the standard, rather than make my own.

[User_U]

yes guys, I absolutly agree with the need of them and how to use. Of course after a first try and error (hopefully not :D ) by raising the boat a bit you can find the right position or better the manufacturer indicates them at the boat.

The problem is that there happend an accident with a boat being craned and which fall down - now the quarrel is about the responsibility. So I am still looking for a rule that says that there have to be some markings...not where, how to fix, which size, how to calculate:D - no, only if....

[stevel]

I guess you now know one location that is not a hoisting location:( That raises an interesting point, however. My boatyard asked ME where to lift, probably to avoid liability for just such a problem. That is what gave me the idea to mark the boat. I am definitely interested if anyone finds an answer.

[Eric Sponberg]

There are no rules for lifting points, because each boat is different, and it is hard to make generalizations as to where to pick it up. Therefore, you don't have any standards to back you up in the dispute you describe. A number of racing sailboat designs have a single-point lift right over the keel. These are obvioius to the owners and users. Usually, you like the straps, as in a Travellift, to fall on bulkheads, but it is not always obvious on the outside of the hull where the bulkheads are. You also want to avoid lifting on the propeller shaft and/or strut. This is why SteveL wisely marked the hull himself so that he would avoid any problems in the future. You will likely have a battle of the experts to fight out where the lifting points should have been.

Eric

[marshmat]

Some builders around here use an oval-shaped stainless steel plate- four of them, about 6-12" long, are fixed to the hullsides near the gunwales at the sling points. It's a pricey, but fancy-looking and effective solution. Marking the bootstripe or just above it, in much the same manner as bulbous bows and thrusters are marked on ships, is also common. Where the marks go is decided by the designer based on how he's analyzed the boat's structure and balance, there are no regulations or standards regarding where the lift points go.

[Danger Mouse]

The marina where I used to work did it much as described by using experience and beginning the lift & repositioning slings if necessary. The also had small stickers available to mark the sling positions for the next year.

The only time they had any direct advice was when lifting a Princess 60/65, which did have comprehensive lifting instructions in the owner's handbook :) This was a task in itself as the boat was a size that was at the limit of the travel hoist.

Only once in my eight years of working there did they ever experience any obvious probems with damage due to lifting. I don't remember what boat it was but it had long exhaust "boxes" running down each aft quarter, whick cracked when loaded. The only way around this was fitting sections of railway sleepers, usually used for shoring, above and below the boxes to take the slings.

Some regulations would definitely be helpful :rolleyes:

[D'ARTOIS]

Before you haul a boat out of the water, make clear that the belts do not crush the propshaft and that they are put under the main bulheads of the boat.

A sailing yacht shoud belifted when the belts are as close to the keel as possible. Make sure thatnthe propshaft is cleared.