Removing Engine with Boom While on Jackstands

[danhaun]

Hi all:

I want to remove my engine and lower to a pickup truck while on the hard. The crane is unavailable on the weekend and I have removed it before using the boom/ halyard/ come-along while in the water.

Is there any danger while on jackstands? The yard guy just made a face and said I should do it on a weekday.

Any experience?

Thanks.

[Cheechako]

plenty of jackstands just in case!

[moonrsn]

Please post pictures when you lay the boat on it's side...

[Charlie]

I imagine a 500 lb engine on a boom would not overload the jackstands. I am sure that the force of the wind blowing against one side would be more thatn that but I would add an few extra jack stands and say a few prayers. Makes me nervous thinkign of it but probably nothing wrong with it.

[SkiprJohn]

Yes, lots of experience. Just get some 4x4s to reinforce the side the engine is coming over. 3 placed strategically should be more than enough. Of course, pad them where they'll meet the hull. If you have extra jackstands then by all means use them. Don't boom out any more than you have to, keep the engine next to the hull when lowering.
500 lbs equals 2 men and a boy's weight. 2 1/2 men.
Kind regards

[Maren]

Originally Posted by danhaun

I want to remove my engine and lower to a pickup truck while on the hard. The crane is unavailable on the weekend and I have removed it before using the boom/ halyard/ come-along while in the water.

I would have 1 pair of stands every 10 feet of LWL with an extra one (or two if over 50') at the bow. So, for your boat that’s … hard to say since you have no information showing.

Jackstands should be positioned over bulkheads not just the skin. Then chain or, if you are really particular, weld them to the opposing stand. If you have soft ground or sand, place a 1 ft square piece of ply under each foot – so that’s 3 per stand. None are needed if you are on tarmac or concrete.

This is hurricane proof, too. You know, just in case you are in the area ...

Before lowering the engine, do a test with a bucket with a few gallons of water in it. This way you know the truck is in the right position. Finally (and this is common sense) you really want to lower the engine as close to the hull as practical -- less of a moment arm to contend with.

[Sailbad]

At the risk of telling you the obvious ensure that the fall/halyard is long enough to lower the motor to the truck bed? Dont ak me why!!!

[anjou]

Originally Posted by gholloway@kol.c

At the risk of telling you the obvious ensure that the fall/halyard is long enough to lower the motor to the truck bed? Dont ak me why!!!

Why? Been there, done that by any chance?

[Sailbad]

Lets just say I have seen a heavy conversion machine held outboard on a derrick while the tide dropped enough to allow it to meet the truck and have the weight taken off a vastly overloaded wire!!

[Boracay]

Safe Working Load (SWL) is often considered in this sort of situation.

However it must be kept in mind that SWL is for well designed equipment, in top condition and used by trained professionals. The loads can be dramatically increased when this is not the case.

It may well be that when all risk factors are considered that the trouble and cost of using a crane on a weekday is cheap insurance in what could be a life threatening situation.

[Sailbad]

Putting aside old memories there are several things to consider.
Swinging a weight over the side will put turning moments on the hull/and/or the frames supporting the vessel. Not obvious when afloat as the mooring lines take the strain.
Will the boom lift the load clear of the deckhouse?
Can the boom be topped enough to carry the load from the end?
Can guys be fitted to control the traverse of the boom?
Is the gear strong enough to take the weight SAFELY?
Is the sling secure and strong enough for the load?
Are you insured?
This may be over the top but litigation in the good old US of A can be over the top also!

[danhaun]

Thanks to all for the advice.

[cantxsailor]

Having done what you are thinking about recently myself my take is "Go ahead and do it".

Unless your motor weighs more than your boat it's not going to move anything.
The entire weight of the boat is on the ground and the stands only keep it balanced. If the stands can't move nor can the boat.

Unless you decide to use the boom to swing it out catapult style in order to throw it some distance and it hangs up I doubt you'll have any problem. Your yard guy just wouldn't be getting the money no wonder he made a face.

My boat is on a cradle on a flatbed trailer. Granted it's only 25ft and the motor only weighs about 300lbs but still it was easy and not the least bit scarey.

Once again I have to call out the experts who say it can't be done because I just did it. Twice if you count putting it back in again. Four times if you count the last time I had the motor out 4yrs ago. That time I didn't have a chainfall and had to use my boom vang. That was a bit more difficult but the chainfall makes it a breeze.

Now if you're lifting a couple thousand pounds I'd be a bit more worried.

I'll send you picture of my set up if you feel the need.....................m

[Chief Engineer]

Originally Posted by danhaun

Thanks to all for the advice.

A crane gives you much more control and less chance of damage.

Plus...it is their "nickel" if they effup.

[donradcliffe]

I used the boom, with a halyard through a snatchblock on a reefing line to control the in/out, and preventer tackle/mainsheet to control the swing. Easy two man job, with more control and less time pressure than giving hand signals to a crane operator. My tackle (45 ft boat, 600 lb motor) was more than adequate for the job, and as previously noted the load on the jackstands is aboutl the same as having 3 guys stand on one rail.