Lowering Outriggers

[Karl]

The last time I started a thread was asking for advice on regulations that require lowering outriggers when going under bridges. I appreciate the feedback and not only got the regulation, but I also was able to track down the Coast Guard office in Miami that's responsible for enforcing the regulation. Since then, Lee Marine supplied me with telescopic supports to replace the solid supports that came with the boat. By the way, I have a 1985 32' Hatt. Since I installed the telescopic supports, I now have a new problem that I'm looking for some advice on.

I have double spreader O/Rs and they are somewhere around 25' long. Lowering the them is not a big problem, but they are heavy and pushing them back up into place is getting to be quite an effort for me since I'm not a very big or muscular person plus I single handle the boat quite often. Don't get me wrong, I'm not weak, but it has become quite an effort and yesterday in having to push extremely hard to get the portside O/R back up, I twisted my shoulder and thought I pulled it out of place.

My question is whether there are any of you who have had a similar problem and have rigged some other method for raising the O/R other than muscleing it back up? I have a friend who has suggested installing a small block and tackle arrangement, but that sounds like it may be awkward. I tried using a rope to raise it by pulling it up from the bridge and although it can work with a struggle, I have to be careful not to pull it too hard or I could damage the extension arm that needs room to twist and turn back into place as the O/R is raised.

Any ideas would be appreciated. I tried to attach a picture, I hope you're able to view it. Thanks, Karl

 

[Paul45c]

Any ideas would be appreciated. I tried to attach a picture, I hope you're able to view it. Thanks, Karl

Yep, it views fine, and if I am seeing it right, you've got a nice view of Deerfield Island Park (aka "Capone Island"). Nice boat, BTW.

Y'know, it'd be hard to say for sure without taking a look in person, but I'd be tempted to try rigging one of those nylon ratcheting tiedown straps around your fwd halftower pipe and then securing just above where your telescoping arm intersects the fixed section of your outrigger. You can do all the levering up with one hand while comfortably up in the bridge if you clearly mark where the inner telescoping part of the arm comes to rest at the full-up position. Once you've got it all the way up, you make one trip down to manually makes sure that telescoping arm locks and you're good to go. FWIW.

 

[Karl]

Paul, you're correct, that is Capone Island. I see you're an LHP person. Thanks for the idea on the nylon rachet strap, I will have to check that out. Karl