Building wooden cradle for CD25?

[Jim Hollister]

Good news - I got into the "yard" at our local yacht club for winter storage for my CD25, after being on the wait list.

Bad news: I must build a wooden cradle because they need to be able to move the boat around if necessary to accommodate other boats.

I can't use the jack stands alone with a keel support (6"x6") any longer. Does anyone have easy plans for such a thing? I don't want it to be too heavy, and it should come apart for transporting (ie., bolted). Are 4"x4" strong enough? Can I hinge them in order to pull one support down at a time to paint that part of the hull? Any comments would be appreciated.



jjhollister@excel.net

[Frank Cannella]

Good news - I got into the "yard" at our local yacht club for winter storage for my CD25, after being on the wait list.

Bad news: I must build a wooden cradle because they need to be able to move the boat around if necessary to accommodate other boats.

I can't use the jack stands alone with a keel support (6"x6") any longer. Does anyone have easy plans for such a thing? I don't want it to be too heavy, and it should come apart for transporting (ie., bolted). Are 4"x4" strong enough? Can I hinge them in order to pull one support down at a time to paint that part of the hull? Any comments would be appreciated.

Hi Jim,

Season is over already and we haven't gotten in anywhere near as much sailing as we intended. Maybe next year...

I don't understand your post. The club doesn't want you to use jacks beacause they can't move your boat? My marina uses nothing but jacks. As you know, I store my boat at home for the winter, using five jack stands ($300.00 plus the six-by-six). The guy who hauls it for me takes me out at the town ramp using a trailer with adjustable jacks. When I looked for a cradle, there was none to be found. If you have the option of using another yard to store your boat, you may want to consider it. Or, buy the jacks and bring the boat home. Think of all those wonderful spring days when you can plug the extension cord into your own outlet and attach it to a sander to strip the bottom. On second thought, find the cradle and get someone else to do the bottom for you at the club. It's a messy job and too much like work. Good luck with your search. If you find the plans for one, I would be interested. It could come in handy when doing long distance hauling. Please keep in touch.

Have a good winter. Regards.

Fair winds,

Frank



cannella@ix.netcom.com

[Jeff Wright]

I have a Kenner Kittiwake 23.5, which a has a similar keel to the Cape Dory 25. The two runners(sleds) that are a the length of the boat are 16' 4x6, I have 6 supports 4x6 that run under the boat. I built the cradle last winter while the boat was on the stands so it was built by eye. I can measure all of the lengths under the boat if you are interested. The person who moves my boat commented that it makes the moving of the boat much easier, and as I painted the bottom this spring, the supports are easy to move.



Jeff_wright@BANA.ATTMAIL.COM