Cheap and Cheerful Launching Cradle

[Colin BishopModerator @colinbishop34627]

Save your Knees!

[Colin BishopModerator @colinbishop34627]

One issue that often arises with advancing years for boat modellers is the launching and recovery of your model. Getting down to ground level is straightforward enough although perhaps more abruptly than one would wish, but recovering the model from the pondside and returning to an upright position is something that your knees become reluctant to cooperate with. There is in fact a real risk that you might get rather closer to your boat than you intended and both of you may vanish below the surface in a final embrace.

When trialling my Fishery Cruiser at Fishers Green club last week I was able to take advantage of the availability of launching cradles which made the whole business much easier. I know some people are happy with a pair of slings but I did rather like the cradles, one of which was beautifully constructed from 22mm copper plumbing pipe and fittings. Just the thing I thought until I priced up the bits in the local DiY emporium and realised I might need a new mortgage.

Something cheaper was needed and wooden construction seemed to be the obvious answer. But while prowling around the aisles I came across the aluminium hooks that are intended to be used to hang things up in your garage such as ladders and bikes. These seemed to be an obvious solution as they have all the various angles you need built in and only need bolting to softwood uprights to make up a frame. The photos below tell the story and the whole thing cost me just £25 despite using pre cut lengths of softwood for speed. It all seems to work very well and although the frame will be slightly buoyant I doubt if that will be a problem. If it is then the bottom part can be weighted down with lead or something.

As a bonus, our esteemed Editor has suggested that it could be easily converted to a Zimmer frame when the need arises…..

[Mark Jarvis 2Participant @markjarvis2]

Hi Colin, Great design, possible improvement, what about a shopping trolly with the bag removed? has a base framework and as a bonus, its on wheels

Mark

[Colin BishopModerator @colinbishop34627]

I didn't want a transporter as the model travels in a box, just needed an easy way to get it in and out of the water without having to bend too much!

Colin

[ashley needhamParticipant @ashleyneedham69188]

Was treated to a demonstration of the patent "Bishop lift" in action yesterday.

I can report that it works a treat, has very simple construction and is very light.

Trollies always seem to be a good idea, but actually dragging a boat over even slightly uneven groud doesn't half shake them up, and even with foam padding I could see serious damage being done on such a device.

​Colin's boat, although a bit of a weight in its (nicely finished) box was easily carried the short distance to the pond from the car using the fold-down handles at either end by two people….the safest way to get boats around.

​Ashley

[Dodgy Geezer 1Participant @dodgygeezer1]

Just hinge one of the box ends. Lower the box into water on a cord, open an end and let the boat sail out. Recovery is the reverse procedure

Edited By Dodgy Geezer on 02/06/2017 09:43:28

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