JOWI Sailboat Cradles
A boat is a major investment, and when it comes time to store a boat, it should be done
with an eye toward protecting that investment. No method of boat storage will support
the hull as well as the water; making any other means a compromise - to some degree.
Keels can generally support up to 95% of a boat's displacement. The sides and bottoms
of most modern laminated hulls should never be required to accept concentrated loads,
i.e. a large amount of weight on a few pads. If possible, supporting means used
against the hull should be located at bulkheads and/or stringers. Never store a boat
with the mast stepped unless the masthead is secured to the ground to prevent the boat
from tipping. The side area of a mast is more than sufficient to turn a boat over in
high winds.
Boat stands, on the surface at least, seem to be an economical means of
storing a boat. The problem with stands is that each one transfers its load to a
separate patch of ground, and the ground is not a stable platform. When the ground
cycles from wet to dry, freeze to thaw, etc., it moves in relation to itself. If
stands are not constantly adjusted to compensate for this, they can loosen and spill
the boat. Typically in today's tightly packed commercial boat yards, this has meant
that whole rows of boats go over like dominoes. There have been several instances of
this, even in yards staffed with people with years of boat handling experience - just
think about the responsibility involved in storing your boat at home on boat stands.
For these reasons, among others, some insurance companies refuse to cover boats or
yards that use stands for boat storage. Before putting your boat on stands, it might be
wise to check with your agent or boat yard.
Cross stands off the list of options and
that leaves you with cradles, both wood and steel. The problem with wood cradles,
besides rotting and thereby losing strength, is that they will eventually sag and
permanently warp. Once this has happened, the cradle will no longer fit the hull it
was built for, and therefore can no longer properly support it. Serious damage can
be caused by an ill-fitting cradle.
Which leaves us with the proven best and safest
means of storing a boat - the JOWI ADJUSTABLE FOLDING STEEL CRADLE. The boat rests on
a sturdy steel tube frame with integral vertical steel tubes and screw/pads that can
be adjusted to exactly the right angle and pressure for the hull. When the earth moves,
the boat and steel frame move as one with it. The steel frame will not twist or rot,
nor will it sag and take a set. Every time your boat is cradled it will fit perfectly.
JOWI cradles also fold flat when not in use to conserve space. And, surprisingly,
considering its many advantages, a JOWI adjustable, folding steel cradle is competitive
with wood in cost.
Features:
- Pressure treated wood with outdoor carpeting will not rot.
- Large-diameter screws have wing nuts for quick and easy vertical
adjustment.
- All fasteners are zinc-plated to resist corrosion.
- Pressure treated keel board will not rot.
- Crossmembers are positioned so the cradle may be lifted with slings
or forks without additional blocking.
- Unique vertical assemblies quickly adjust inward to fit varying hull
widths or fold flat for storage.
- Extra heavy rectangular steel tube frame provides greater rigidity.
Contact: Wiley Price
6177 N. Highland Boulevard
Grifton, NC 28530
Tel: 919.524.5790
Fax: 919.524.4446
Email: wprice7674@aol.com
Copyright ©1998 Brad Bailey
