Heavy Lifting
Who needs Atlas, or Samson, or Clark Kent when you have strapping young men with brains and brawn?!
The Ensign had been sitting on our borrowed flatbed trailer long enough and needed to come off so the trailer could be returned today. I had scavenged some 4×4 and 2×6 lumber from my kids’ swing set earlier this week (sorry boys), so the guys cobbled together two hefty beams wide enough to span the trailer, then began the careful task of raising the boat high enough to insert the beams and clear the wheel wells so the trailer could be pulled out. The process involved lifting the boat incrementally – a little at the bow, then a little at the stern, then back to the bow, and so on – to prevent it from becoming unstable. With each lift we raised the jack stands supporting the beams a little higher. We took our time and ensured that our supports were well-positioned and that our beams were bearing the weight well. It took us about 90 minutes to get the boat ready to pull the trailer out, then it took us about two hours to lower the boat gradually, again alternating between the bow and the stern to prevent the boat from sliding off the stands or pitching precariously. Admittedly, there were a few comments that were immediately hushed before they could be fully uttered, things like “Imagine if it started to ….” or “Man, that would stink if…”. Like all prudent mariners, we’re superstitious, so we quickly squelched any frivolity. Fortunately, all went well. The Ensign now rests safely on the shop floor. Phew! I realize this totally dates me, but in the words of Ice Man to Maverick: I’d be happy to have these guys as my wingmen any day!
Getting ready to insert the beams under the cradle (not sure why Tony and Jared are asleep on the job!)
Boat lifted and trailer out, ready to come back down - slowly!
Project Ensign 