Lifting a rib out of the water with a crane

[stephenmcdermot]

Hello,

Tried yesterday to lift my 6.5m Humber with its dead Honda 130hp out of the water to start work on it. I tried to use a hiab with straps, however the straps were just digging into the tubes. So we abandonned it.
Not before using two long planks of wood between the straps to stop them closing in on the rib. But that failed too.

Can ribs only be taken out with a negative lift forktruck or on a slipway?

[UKPOWERBOAT]

Originally Posted by stephenmcdermot

Hello,

Tried yesterday to lift my 6.5m Humber with its dead Honda 130hp out of the water to start work on it. I tried to use a hiab with straps, however the straps were just digging into the tubes. So we abandonned it.
Not before using two long planks of wood between the straps to stop them closing in on the rib. But that failed too.

Can ribs only be taken out with a negative lift forktruck or on a slipway?

Some ribs have fitted a 3 point lifting kit. I specified one on mine when I had it built and basically it is 2 eyes on the transom and one inside the tubes at the bow, fixed through the deck. Then I had a lifting harness made up which cost £125 with Certificate for Lifting Rating (Most Marina's ensure you have this if you want them to use your rig) Have used this twice now and it is superb.

regards

Richard

[stephenmcdermot]

I dont have that fitted to mine, we just tried straps around the hull and tubes.

Stephen

[RIVA]

let the air out of the tubes

[stephenmcdermot]

it still would rip the tubes form the hull would it not?

[Richard B]

You really do need a spreader bar. Have a look here: www.dryberthing.com and see how the professionals do it. When you use a spreader bar, make sure your tubes are inflated hard, and although they will deform, they won't get pinched between the attachment flange and the lifting strop. They will also keep the load off the atachment flange which isn't designed to suppiort the weight of the RIB over four six-inch sections. Three point lifting kit like Nauti Buoy describes is ideal, but if you ain't got it, then you ain't got it.

[Phil Chitty]

All good ideas but just remember all lifting equipment is subject to the Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations that stipulate regular checks and inspections that must be certificated by an approved body.

This isn't just strops, but also chains and links.

Sorry to be the Health and Safety killjoy!!

[Mike C]

Originally Posted by stephenmcdermot

Hello,

Tried yesterday to lift my 6.5m Humber with its dead Honda 130hp out of the water to start work on it. I tried to use a hiab with straps, however the straps were just digging into the tubes. So we abandonned it.
Not before using two long planks of wood between the straps to stop them closing in on the rib. But that failed too.

Can ribs only be taken out with a negative lift forktruck or on a slipway?

Its not a good idea to lift a Humber just with straps unsuported like that due to their design. Its possible with some RIBS but the way the hull meets the tubes on a Humber doesn't do the hull a lot of good due to the squeezing you'll get - tube inflated or deflated.

Humber sometimes do fit the lifting eyes like Richard mentioned. Its the best way..... though the spreader bar might be OK if you feel lucky!

You could always give Humber a ring and get some advice from them. If you have the boats serial number they may even know if lifting eyes can be added easily ... or are there now!

Mike c

[Richard B]

Originally Posted by Phil Chitty

All good ideas but just remember all lifting equipment is subject to the Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations that stipulate regular checks and inspections that must be certificated by an approved body.

This isn't just strops, but also chains and links.

And planks of wood!

[Tony]

They wouldn't lift mine with a crane.They said it would damage the tubes!!. Instead they took it out on a trailer.