Cradle for Ranger 22

[Carlsboats]

I am building a cradle for a Gary Mull designed Ranger 22, and need to know what the underbody shape and dimensions are. The boat, which was donated to a nonprofit group here on Block Island, is still in the water, so I cannot get measurements. I think it has a fin keep, draft 4', so it sounds like it's close to a J-24. But I'm guessing.
When we haul it, we plan to drop it into a wooden cradle, but I do not know how high to make side braces, and in the busy fall season, I can't tie up the hoist while cutting and fitting.
What we really need, of course, is a keel-boat trailer with adjustable poppits, but there's no budget for that. Now, if someone out there wants to give us such a trailer, or sell us one cheap, well .... we'd be happy. Otherwise, it's four-by-fours and four-by-sixes.

[Wiley Baggins]

I can't draw this, but can you just make the perimeter longitudinal frame (supported by X-bracing, etc.) to the beam(+) dimension and hang two or four synthetic straps from anchorage points cut out of plate and secured to the framework? Add some additional chafe protection as needed, and let the boat settle in.

[Carlsboats]

That's an idea. Thanks. But we may have a problem with width. The R-22 has 8' of beam, and I'll have to check to see if a cradle to handle such beam will fit on the trailer that is going to do the transporting. Then too, hanging in slings, the boat might rock P&S,

[Wiley Baggins]

When we haul it...

CarlsboatsD'oh! My original suggestion was more complex, and involved pins and beams. Seemed too complicated (and preferably metal intensive). In retrospect, maybe I should have mooted it.

Assuming that you have a driver with a smooth clutch foot, a level and smooth lot, and room in the yard you could still use plan 'A' with an addendum.

This will cost you truck and trailer time, but if you stick with the perimeter frame and strapping, you can move it slooooowly to a quiet part of the yard and add (again two or four) cross braces from the left upper to the right lower (and vice-versa) fore an aft members, with the intersection of the 'X' at the keel. If you put some anchorage points on the 'X' supports or the lower longitudinals, you'll be able to further secure the boat to the frame with tie-downs. Obviously, chafe protection on the 'X' supports and tie-downs is an added bit of neccessary work. Let us know what you do.

Good luck!

[ 10-30-2002, 10:05 PM: Message edited by: Wiley Baggins ]