Lift Off for the BB11

One of the last big tasks or rather two of the last big tasks are varnishing the BB's topsides and getting the trailer sorted. The problem being that of lifting the BB off her trailer and getting her on blocks.

Enter Nick Lancaster again. Nick has built a mobile hoist for just this very job and fortunately he was available to drive over and help get the BB airborne. This is where serious damage can be inflicted on a boat, it was not a task I relished doing alone.

Nick has been around boats for most of his life and runs a specialist boat shifting business. His skills were most welcome, in addition to Nick's knowledge of moving boats around there is the added fact that Nick has an arsenal of lifting gear. Straps, strops, chains, shackles and all manner of other bits and and pieces that are required to do a SAFE lift. I have put the word safe in bold because there is more than the boat at risk with any lifting exercise. A 3/4 ton boat is not the thing to have fall over, especially if you are under it at the time!

If you do have a go at lifting a boat on your own I hope the following images will be helpful.

First, assemble the lifting frame. Nick has still one or two tweaks to make to the frame but it is strong, it works and it is very safe.

Once in place the straps and winches are adjusted and the same execise is done at the stern. We did not need to use a second frame, the buildings pillars are solid cast iron and more than capable of handling the boats weight.

This is the first time the boat has been off the trailer for six or more years, my main worry was that the iron keel would stay on the trailer as we lifted the BB. It is still firmly attached to the boat, praise the lord! With the boat in mid air we can finish the foot of the keel and get every inch anti fouled.

The whole job took less than 90 minutes, Nick declined a second cup of coffee and headed off to his next boat move. The next job for me is to insert some spacers between the straps and the boat so that the whole of both the port and starboard topsides can be varnished.

If the temperatures improve we will be putting the first coat of Coma Berenice on the boat before weekend.

Bolting the legs onto Nick's lifting frame.

Then the other side.

A wee bit of muscle and the frame is ready for use.

Lifting winches and chains are placed.

A quick look to check we can lift safely.

The BB's trailer rolls out leaving her hanging in space.