Turning my boat over - need some hints

[rico]

We are building a 20' aluminum boat. We have built it upside down as per
the plans but we need to turn it over now. We have some ideas and
suggestions but we are looking for anyone with some tricks or better ideas
that have gone smoothly. This is the first time we've done this and whatever
ideas or suggestions which would make turning this boat go smoothly would
be really nice. I also have a small gallery up and continually adding to it.
Thanks for reading.

[daedong]

Lots of helping hands. Just a little tip, tie a rope up high on the gunwhale on the side you are lifting, loop this back to something strong so when you get it standing on its side you don't lose control, while the rest of the folks go around the other side to lower it. I have just turned my boat (5.6mt) i am building over the other way as i built mine right way up i intend to turn my back again this week.

[marshmat]

My advice: a couple of ropes as daedong suggests, then buy either a round of pizza for a high school sports team or a round of beer for your buddies. With a dozen people the job will go much easier. If you're out in the boonies and are antisocial, there's always timber A-frames with block-and-tackle.
(Tip- make sure the gunwales are strong before you flip it! If the gunwales can't hold the weight of the boat as it's flipped, you'll need to nail up some wood frames to support it through the roll. I nearly cracked the side panel of my 15-footer when I tried to roll it before the gunwales were attached.)

[fiberglass jack]

when you roll the boat place a couple of old tires on the ground this will take some of the presure and ease the shock to the boat. i have fliped many over and with a set of A frames and a chain hoist it is a two man job at the most, the trick is to use a chocker strap at the rear to help rotate the boat but you must keep the boat close to the ground then you swap the rear straps and rotate a little more forgot to say that you need two chain hoist at the rear as one will keep it stable while you swap the straps the one at the bow should be attached to the bow eye or weld a hoop if you dont have one yet all this strap is to act as a pivot all the turning is done at the back, its not a hard thing to do just think it out , for the chain hoist you can get them at crappy tire and tell them there not what you want after the job good luck

[rico]

you guys are awesome, thanks for the help. I guess the A frames are the
way to go.

[sal's Dad]

Consider the rotisserie approach! Weld on your bow eye, and a similar stern eye; keep them somewhere near your center of gravity. Then fabricate brackets to lift (or hang) these two points. Raise it up, spin it over, and lower it in place.

[daedong]

rico, how about some pictures.

[rico]

Hi daedong, I have some pictures up in my gallery. I have to take some
more. I actually have the side plates on the boat now and she's ready to
be turned over.

[lazeyjack]

Originally Posted by rico

We are building a 20' aluminum boat. We have built it upside down as per
the plans but we need to turn it over now. We have some ideas and
suggestions but we are looking for anyone with some tricks or better ideas
that have gone smoothly. This is the first time we've done this and whatever
ideas or suggestions which would make turning this boat go smoothly would
be really nice. I also have a small gallery up and continually adding to it.
Thanks for reading.

here is the right way
use two chain blocks one each side,
start with one right up the other right down,
take a rope right around the boat, and start lifting and dropping , the job will always be under control, I,ve turned 3 tonne hulls alone like this
And cranes turn 150 footers the same way if I can find a pic, somewhere , i HAVE ONE, i,LL POST IT
When I was building full time I used to get 10 year old son to push the buttons on the hoist!! was fun, 10 year old turning the boat

Its funny to see all the suggestions here

[vishnubaiju]

I am interested to know the dimensions and power of your boat.
Breadth, depth and th power you are going to use. Hope it is outboard.

[stuart]

Rico,

Is it just me or are your Reverse chines a bit wonky in the photo's?

Stuart
Australia

[rico]

The reverse chines are a bit wonky. There was a lot of heat on there without
the strongback. We just straightened everything out.

Lazyjack, could you possibly post some pictures of the way you turn your
boats over?

Vishnubaiju, what do you mean by breadth?

Thanks for the info everyone.

[vishnubaiju]

It is beam

[stuart]

Chines my freind.

[stuart]

Rico

How did you get the wonky sections back to flat even chines?.

Stuart