Interesting to read about the technique used by others.
Yes, I agree to use the halyard to a lashing around the boom, the lashing so positioned that it is above the point on cockpit floor where you’ll set the engine.
Then, on the bottom of the same lashing, I hook a chain fall.
Then, using the halyard
winch, raise the boom without the engine load, so the chain fall is high enough for engine to pass below it into the cockpit.
Cleat the halyard securely.
Use the chain fall to raise the engine, and if necessary, use a come along rigged so as to pull the engine aft as it is taken over and into the cockpit.
If the
boat has a bridge
deck, you can temporarily block the engine on the bridge deck and re-rig there.
To swing over the rail, unhook the engine, and swing the boom over to check for reach. Bring the boom back in to center and then reposition the lashing so it will reach the drop point.
Reconnect the main halyard to lashing, and chain fall to lashing.
Raise the engine, being careful to control any lateral swing as it re-centers under the chain fall.
I found on one occasion that the angle of halyard to boom was such that the resultant force was trying to slide the lashing back towards the mast, so I ran another lashing out to a convenient clear near the end of the boom, and stopped that sliding in that manner.
In some instances on old
boats, there may be a question of the integrity of the halyard.
In one instance, I sewed a better line to the halyard and reefed it into the masthead blocks using the halyard as a messenger line.
BTW, I NEVER use the halyard end fittings to rig this operation.
Tie good bowlines and allow that the line is probably 3 or 4 times capacity of the load, so the 1/2
rule on knots is not to worry. Think all that through.
Keep a tag line on the load, and communicate all steps between yourself and your helper, and always be prepared to set it down.
Don’t go gymnastic with this, and you’re not likely to do much damage.
Always check and double check, and don’t hesitate to stop to check again. Often, you’ll see a better setting, and so change to improve the action.
Hoist Aweigh, Matey
PM