Flipping Scot with access to Tractor with Forks

Submitted by Rowsinski on Thu, 06/15/2017 - 11:11
Forums: 
Maintenance, Repairs, Changes, and Upgrades

I need to flip my boat for bottom work.  I have access to a tractor with forks So I can lift it in some manner.  Was wondering if anyone had used that method and could advise on where to attach line and how to safely Rotate boat once launched on the ground from Trailer.  Have tires and shoring.
Thanks,
Bob Owsinski
 

abl1111

Fri, 06/16/2017 - 12:44

I did it sans tractor.  If you can, while sliding her off the trailer, while the transom is on ground, and the bow is still resting on the trailer, remove centerboard ( tractor would be nice here ! ) - you have to get centerboard out before you flip ( careful, that sucker wants to hurt you ! I got 'pinched' by it once and it opened a finger up nicely )
Lay 2-3 tires on each side, where the boat will be when flipped - assuring that 1 of these tires IS PLACED W/ IT'S HOLE DIRECTLY WHERE THE CHAINPLATE WILL BE ON EACH SIDE. Then, with 3-4 guys lift her edge. 
Then, slowly flip the boat, with 2 or 3 guys now on the other side to slowly let her come down - again BEING SURE TO HAVE ONE OF THE TIRES WITH IT'S HOLE JUST RIGHT SO THE CHAINPLATE RESTS IN THE HOLE - this assures that the chainplates does not get bent.
Manpower was the ticket for me.  
 
 
 
 
 
 

Rowsinski

Fri, 06/16/2017 - 14:38

Thanks for the feedback.  Bringing tires.  and hopefully all my guys show up.  Have 4 locked hoping for 5.  I getting some plywood and board insulation to but over rocking area in yard she is in.  

abl1111

Fri, 06/16/2017 - 15:30

If you have 'em, use life preservers, throw seat cushions, more tires to lay the boat on.  I did mine on my lawn so it was pretty smooth.
While the board is out, inpsect it for wear - glass it back to shape if needed.
Great time to R/R the centerboard gasket - you'll never have better access.  Careful with the bronze, gasket framing  - they're BRITTLE !  Follow FS directions - they use a block to tighten it before you install new gasket ( very good idea )...  And, to sand and paint the bottom 'purty.  I flipped mine and lifted into the air to re-glass the original under-the-seat foam block straps into place after a MAJOR repair ( needed gravity on my side )...
Good luck.  Take it slow and be careful.  Bring strong guys - (5) guys even better.
 
 
 
 
 

sawyerspadre

Fri, 06/16/2017 - 19:42

I usually launch my boat onto a tarp, with sudsy water on it.  Slides right off.  
i tie a sturdy line to the mast, just above the shrouds.  I then use this line to pull the boat up on edge.
A 50 lb bag of sand on the mast tip which is on the ground, holds the boat on edge.
Much easier, and I think safer.  

Rowsinski

Sat, 06/17/2017 - 18:46

A bit short handed but Tires make it easy.  The Center board was out.  The only mistake was the tilting chain plate got a liitle bent when on when the movement shifted it to the side wall.  Pearced the sidewall  but bent a bit.
Why a 5th person would be nice.  But only 3 to tilt it upright and 2 shifted to other side to ease down.  Not as heavy as I thought. Nice to have hockey Players as friends.
I bought thin plywoord 4x4 sheets and rigid insulation but the tires did most of the work.  Left 1 on each side, one on bow, two on stern and one on mast step.  They give so it seems to balance well. Luckly a friend several years ago left me his winter tires whern he moved south to sell.  I told my wife they would come in handy. :) 
Flying Scot inc. said earlier a little bent can be straighted once.   
Any thoughts on how best to straight after righting later.  Someone mensioned heating before bending a bit.  Thought a real heat gun might help.
 
 

abl1111

Sun, 06/18/2017 - 12:03

" The only mistake was the tilting chain plate got a liitle bent when on when the movement shifted it to the side wall.  Pearced the sidewall  ? but bent a bit."
Did you bend the chainplate ?  Not sure how, but neither of us are pro's, so sh*t happens.  Next time, you need to put the tire hole on that side ( and the other ) where the chainplate will be - to avoid ANY contact of the chainplate with anything solid   If you bent it, ( I've never done this ), I would not use heat - unless FS says to - it could change the properties of the metal.  You need to get this right !  Or, you're in for a lot of headache.
If it were me ( again, not a pro ), I would copy the angle of the other side with (2) tongue depressors with a nut/ bolt at one end and tighten to minimc the angle.  Then, I'd take two solid pcs of wood, ( 1' x 1/2" x 2" ) sandwich the chain plate between these (2) pcs of wood, screw the (2) pcs of wood together with several screws - with the chainplate sandwiched -  and use the (2) pcs of wood with the chainplate in the middle as leverage to pull the plate out to the right angle - slowly.  
Make sense ?
 

Rowsinski

Mon, 06/19/2017 - 08:36

That is a great idea. Yes it make great sense.   Will do that....
Not sure how I screwed up the most important warning, still kicking myself,  but...