NeilW. There is no such thing as being too careful😀. Life has a way of biting you in the butt when you least expect it. LEN1

My first 3 or 4 launching cradles were the suspension type using webbing from Harbor Freight (tie-downs). They worked fine but I found the need to set a heavy boat down once or twice while transporting it from the bench to the water (about 80 feet) without damaging the props or rudders.

This frame cradle also allows me to set the boat the boat on the dock just prior to launching to make any last minute adjustments.

When prepping the boat it's on a table. Suspension straps are clumsy getting them on to a good sized boat on a table. With the frame cradle I just set it on the ground, lift the boat off its stand and slide it in the frame cradle, pick it up and go.

At the dock I just dip it in the water and throttle the boat out.

As I usually bring multiple boats to meets, this one size fits all cradle works great. Just like eating soup with a spoon!

Lew

I use webbing loops for all my models. Good for yachts also if you make the straps long enough. Don't forget some lead attached to the mid point so the straps sink. It also helps to keep the lifting point close together to prevent the straps slipping on the model
dave976

Having just completed the Port side I’ve seen there’s a potential issue with the torpedo cranes that overhang the deck, I can see that may cause some issues with the straps or I need to be very careful

If you cannot find the 2 large used fan of cam belts from a rare friendly garage noted already, you could make your own strong launching straps as follows:

Cut two 12 inch lengths of broom sticks or similar strong wood. Then two 4 to 5 foot lengths on nylon webbing strap (from an old ratchet strap or an upholstery\ haberdashery shop) screwed securely to the handles. Judge a common suitable length of the 2 loops - based on your own height and distance at your normal pond down to the water. Short lengths of lead sewn on to the outside edge of the straps will aid launching and removal from the floating model.

Good luck. John😁😁😁

Great Subject. My boats are a bit heavy and being up in years its a bit hard to launch. Folk's in my club use various methods. The easiest one I saw and used was two large automotive fan belts attached to a wood handle. When using, you slip fan belt around your model you can lift it up and put it in the water. The repeat the process when taking out. This is simple and will not take that much room up when placing it in your car.😊

Whilst on the subject - has anyone come up with a safe way to launch a 28lb yacht from a landing stage? So, I cannot get into the water, and cannot just lean down and launch. Stage is about 1 foot above water level, and my old ways of launching power boats is as described below with a launching cradle loops, but that does not work with mast and sails in the way, and cannot just hold onto the mast to launch as with lightweight yachts. Thoughts please?

ok, now have a pic, mounted herewith, the webbing is from an old cargo strap, the length of the loop is about 36", ie 72" in total, It works for me at this length as across my bit of Brittany there are various heights of launching quay.

Tea ? Ah yes, the planning of a project is very important. Neilw, l can hear your kettle boiling. Time for a little brain storming 💡💡💡

Many thanks for all the replies, lots to think about. I have a load of webbing left over from dinghy hiking straps. I may even have a set of padded ones from an old Finn dinghy if I can remember where they are.

I’m thinking about the UPVC tube route with the webbing to support the hull.

Think the next stage is drinking multiple mugs of tea while doing some hard staring at the hull.