Boat rocking on the cradle

serenespeed · #1 (**permalink**) 11-03-2010

Hey,

This is my first winter with my boat. She was hauled out last weekend. I just want to make sure that it's 'okay' that she 'rocks' a bit on the cradle. The pads are close to but not directly under the bulkheads (maybe a bit of overlap). Basically, all of the weight seems to be on the on the keel - that's good right?

The reason I ask is because last year when we were first looking at the boat she was on the cradle and I don't remember much movement at all. The Keel is in exacly the same spot on the cradle. I think it's just that the pads are not as tight this year. Is a bit of movement (or 'wobble') okay?

The Boat is a Mirage 26.

Thanks!

Here's a pic:

AllThumbs · #2 (**permalink**) 11-03-2010

adjust the pads a little tighter?

sailingdog · #3 (**permalink**) 11-03-2010

I would adjust the pads so that the boat doesn't rock. The weight of the boat should be on the keel. The pads are there to stabilize the boat and prevent it from moving. If they're not snugged up, then they're adjusted WRONG.

Think about it this way... your boat is a kid on a swing... in a really bad storm it starts swinging... if the boat swings at just the right frequency, bad things can start to happen. If the pads are adjusted so it can't rock, there's no way for those bad things to happen.

serenespeed · #4 (**permalink**) 11-03-2010

Thank you both!

That's what I thought, but I didn't know if tightening them more would risk causing indentations. I'll snug them up.

tomandchris · #5 (**permalink**) 11-03-2010

Careful that you brace the boat when yoiu loosen the pad to move it up.

kwaltersmi · #6 (**permalink**) 11-03-2010

Definately tighten up the pads. The boat should NOT rock or move at all in the cradle. As has been mentioned, the keel and the crossbeams of the cradle should be taking the full weight of the boat while the stands/pads are there to keep it from tipping over and wiggling. If you can't tighten the pads while the boat is on the cradle you might consider adding some wood shims between the pad and the boat to get your through this offseason.

Also make certain the cradle is level in both horizontal axis. The yard should do this as part of haulout, but you may want to double check with a level.

Lastly, I always chain my front two stands/pads and back two stands/pads together. I realize this is probably overkill, but my stands are bolted to the cradle frame rather than welded and I've seen several bent stands on cradles. I figure the chain is cheap added security.

deniseO30 · #7 (**permalink**) 11-03-2010

You can spread the load if you put longer pieces of 2X10s between the hull and pad, with some carpet if worried about the paint.

carl762 · #8 (**permalink**) 11-03-2010

Nice looking boat. Get er shored up right.

ffiill · #9 (**permalink**) 11-03-2010

Suprised the number of boats with masts up in that pic.There is no way that my yard will allow a boat to stand the winter with mast up because of the windage effect of the mast in high winds and chance of it causing a boat to roll over.

sailingfool · #10 (**permalink**) 11-04-2010

Quote:

Originally Posted by kwaltersmi

....Also make certain the cradle is level in both horizontal axis. The yard should do this as part of haulout, but you may want to double check with a level.....

may be a little confusing, as the requirement insn't so much the boat be "level" as that it's waterline be "level', which a condition which can be difficult to measure. The best test is to dump pails of water on the decks and cockpit and confirm that all water drains as expected. that way you know the boat is not bow-down and liekly to develop standing pools of water. I don't know if stern-down can be much of a concern...