Long Micro strongback
Hey all,
Just a short update of sorts on my Long Micro's construction- which
has slowed to a snail's pace over the past 6 months. Work now entails
frequent trips to the Caribbean and despite Nels' taunts, it's not one
of the nicer Caribbean islands. Plus, I'm moving my home, although
that's a good thing. My LM has migrated from the two-car garage at my
old place to a HUGE barn (40' x 95') at my new home. Barn (or the
barn-majal) has loft space, concrete floors, water, a set tub (and hot
water) etc. etc. I'm estatic. But that's not why I'm writing.
I had to move my LM to the barn. During construction I built a
strong-back from 2x4s (about 18 feet long), and later I put 2 inch
dolley wheels and casters on the strong back so I could move my LM
around. Good idea. At this point the hull is completed, as are most
of the interior bits, but the ballast has not been installed yet. So,
I rented a 16 foot utility trailer, used some 2x10s as ramps, and used
my come along to winch the LM and and strong back onto the trailer. I
was able to accomplish all of this myself, with a little help from my
neighbor (who has been intrigued by my entire boat building
enterprise). I was surprised at the stiffness of my strongback, which
is built from 2x4s with some bracing (made from plywood scraps), all
held by drywall/sheetrock/deck screws. Once out of the garage the
strongback rolled only on the four casters at each corner- a span of
18 feet. It didn't flex at all. And for those of you doing the math,
a 20 feet boat on an 18 foot strongback tends to hang off the back of
a 16 foot trailer.
The LM was moved without incident and unloadng was much swifter
(thanks to the beams in the new barn). I posted four pictures of the
strongback and LM on the trailer for your viewing pleasure. These
aren't good pictures of my LM, rather they are posted for those
contemplating a strongback for their boat build. I strongly advise it.
http://personal.bgsu.edu/~kingw/Long_Micro/
Bill, in Ohio
Just a short update of sorts on my Long Micro's construction- which
has slowed to a snail's pace over the past 6 months. Work now entails
frequent trips to the Caribbean and despite Nels' taunts, it's not one
of the nicer Caribbean islands. Plus, I'm moving my home, although
that's a good thing. My LM has migrated from the two-car garage at my
old place to a HUGE barn (40' x 95') at my new home. Barn (or the
barn-majal) has loft space, concrete floors, water, a set tub (and hot
water) etc. etc. I'm estatic. But that's not why I'm writing.
I had to move my LM to the barn. During construction I built a
strong-back from 2x4s (about 18 feet long), and later I put 2 inch
dolley wheels and casters on the strong back so I could move my LM
around. Good idea. At this point the hull is completed, as are most
of the interior bits, but the ballast has not been installed yet. So,
I rented a 16 foot utility trailer, used some 2x10s as ramps, and used
my come along to winch the LM and and strong back onto the trailer. I
was able to accomplish all of this myself, with a little help from my
neighbor (who has been intrigued by my entire boat building
enterprise). I was surprised at the stiffness of my strongback, which
is built from 2x4s with some bracing (made from plywood scraps), all
held by drywall/sheetrock/deck screws. Once out of the garage the
strongback rolled only on the four casters at each corner- a span of
18 feet. It didn't flex at all. And for those of you doing the math,
a 20 feet boat on an 18 foot strongback tends to hang off the back of
a 16 foot trailer.
The LM was moved without incident and unloadng was much swifter
(thanks to the beams in the new barn). I posted four pictures of the
strongback and LM on the trailer for your viewing pleasure. These
aren't good pictures of my LM, rather they are posted for those
contemplating a strongback for their boat build. I strongly advise it.
http://personal.bgsu.edu/~kingw/Long_Micro/
Bill, in Ohio