[Rhodes22-list] Topping lift

[Steve Alm]

Bob,

I like the bosun's chair/main sheet tackle idea.  It seems like something
one could deploy pretty quickly.  The main sheet tackle has its own cam
cleat already there so that would help a lot, because at some point, the
person doing the hoisting would need both hands to grab the hoistee.  Is
that a word?  Or maybe instead of a chair, just a big loop to go around the
torso and under the arms of a person in the water.  Isn't there a padded
rescue harness like that?  I'd assume the person is unconscious or otherwise
unable to climb the boarding ladder, so they might not be able to sit up in
the chair.  I don't use a boom vang, but my wife has a Hmong student named
Boom Vang--no kidding.

In addition to Robert's caveats, I'd cleat the topping lift off on the mast
instead of trusting that tiny little block that it runs through by the
shroud, since mine and others are so-rigged.  There's no way that block
would hold much weight, but it would only take a moment to uncleat it from
its cam cleat on the cabin roof and secure it on the mast horn cleat.

It'll be interesting to try this drill to see how much the boat heels when a
person is lifted.  Thank you both for the suggestion.

Slim

On 1/21/05 10:38 AM, "Bob Weber" <ruba1811 at hotmail.com> wrote:

> Steve, a lift system is a good thing to have - you may only use it once but
> that is not the time to start inventing it.  I have a bosuns chair with an
> extra smaller shackle which fits thru the end of the main sheet purchase.  I
> would unhook the mainsheet from the traveler attach the shackle and swing
> the boom over the side.  In practice it would be difficult to do by myself
> but better than nothing.  The boom vang can be used as well.  Bob
> 
>> From: Robert Skinner <robert at squirrelhaven.com>
>> Reply-To: The Rhodes 22 mail list <rhodes22-list at rhodes22.org>
>> To: The Rhodes 22 mail list <rhodes22-list at rhodes22.org>
>> Subject: Re: [Rhodes22-list] Topping lift
>> Date: Fri, 21 Jan 2005 11:02:35 -0500
>> 
>> Steve Alm wrote:
>>> That's an intriguing idea--using the topping lift/boom to hoist an
>> injured
>>> person or cargo...
>>> But I like your idea.  Have you beefed yours up?  Is yours rigged
>>> differently?    I don't know what a "billy" is.
>> -------------------------------------------------------
>> Steve -
>> 
>> A handy billy is a small block and tackle, generally with a 4:1
>> or better mechanical advantage and something like a 500 lb
>> capacity, as I understand it.  Somewhat like a deer hoist, but
>> a bit stronger and with two double pulleys, one with becket.
>> 
>> As the typical person or cargo weighs less than 500 lbs, and a
>> boom vang has to deal with that amount of tension or more, you
>> can rig the vang with carabiners or other easily openable links,
>> letting you move it to a boom-end position.  Keep a couple of
>> forged hooks in your anchor bucket, and you are in business.
>> 
>> My topping lifts are made of 1/4" spectra, capacity 2000+ lbs.
>> 
>> Warning - lifting heavy cargo with this sort of rig has two
>> dangers that must be taken into account:
>> 
>> 1.  The boom and gooseneck were not originally designed for this
>> type of load/usage.  Keep an eye on the gooseneck for signs of
>> failure, and DO NOT PUSH SIDEWAYS ON THE BOOM WHEN UNDER LOAD.
>> The boom will do reasonable well under straight compression,
>> but lateral force when under compression invites failure.
>> 
>> 2.  500 pounds at the end of the boom, when extended over the
>> beam, adds a lot of capsizing force.  Watch for sudden loads
>> that may pull you over, and keep chubby friends on the opposite
>> side of the boat to help counterbalance the load.
>> 
>> Hope that fills in the chinks in my earlier post.
>> --
>> Robert Skinner
>> "Squirrel Haven", 9 Gateway Commons, Gorham, Maine 04038-1331
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> 
> 
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