Can a hauler load from this kind of cradle?

daydreamer92 · #1 (**permalink**) 03-26-2010

It looks to be effectively four stands and a block attached to a metal frame. Kinda neat. I found one for $400 bucks, though they say it's sized only up to 26'. Got me thinking about cradles as an alternative to stands.

My question is, can the kind of trailer that can take a boat off of boat stands (is that the hydralift kind?) take a boat off these cradles without a yard lift?

bljones · #2 (**permalink**) 03-26-2010

depends upon the trailer and the equipment available at the yard. Our yard has this set-up to move cradled boats to the travel-lift, which slings the boat out fo the cradle and into the water.

bljones · #3 (**permalink**) 03-26-2010

I prefer cradles to stands on smaller boats like yours, and it can make bottom painting easier, with no worries about the boat falling over when you crank a pad down to paint under it.

sailingdog · #4 (**permalink**) 03-26-2010

Yes, but it has to be a flat bed trailer, since they'll probably want to take the cradle with the boat. Do you own the cradle?? I hope so.

Quote:

Originally Posted by daydreamer92

It looks to be effectively four stands and a block attached to a metal frame. Kinda neat. I found one for $400 bucks, though they say it's sized only up to 26'. Got me thinking about cradles as an alternative to stands.

My question is, can the kind of trailer that can take a boat off of boat stands (is that the hydralift kind?) take a boat off these cradles without a yard lift?

daydreamer92 · #5 (**permalink**) 03-26-2010

I don't own anything yet. I'm window shopping for some way to support the boat once it leaves the yard.

CalebD · #6 (**permalink**) 03-26-2010

We keep our T27 in a cradle as well. Ours looks to be a bit heftier then the one in your pic and we paid about $450 for ours. We are talking about a 7000# + boat which is 3 1/2 tons. The price is about right but I would prefer a slightly beefier cradle.
Our club has a hydraulic trailer that can lift the cradle off of its cement blocks and move the boat to the crane for launching. It is a pretty amazing process to watch and participate in; launching and hauling out.
I have some friends who store their 30' motor boat on their property each year on jack stands I believe. It doesn't hurt that they are within miles of their launch/haul out spot.