So, today was the day. I (with some friends) rolled Kilderkin II back upright in place inside the garage. Here's the rig:
I placed a scaffold pole across multiple joists, wrapped a short length of chain around it, and suspended a 1-ton chain hoist ($40 from CAP) from it. I couldn't find any pulleys that I trusted for the load, so I set up an old trailer axle with two rims (no tires) hanging from the hoist. I wrapped old dock lines round the inverted hull, over the rims, and tied them tightly in place, to make loops. With people steadying the boat, I lifted her up to the limit of the hoist, removed all the old tires and supports from under, then gently rotated her in the rope slings. The ropes turned the rims, no rubbing on the hull. Her rubbing strake just cleared the floor! Still hanging, I lined up four tires under the keel, and lowered her down, still with folk steadying her. Two jack stands were then placed under the stern.
I'll now build proper supports so I can finish the work (the cabin and cockpit aren't fiberglassed yet). I'm leaving the hoist in place to lift the boat onto the trailer, and also for any future maintenance issues. I'll replace the axle with a beam.
I have photos, but have no idea how to post them - e-mail me if interested (
[email protected])
SteveW