Boatnerd Discussion Forum

What does it take to re-rail a hatch crane? Can it be done with long/heavy duty pry bars, or is it a shipyard project?

I have witnessed a wave derail the hatch crane, it can happen. It was stored aft, the wave rolled right down the deck and into the side of the crane.

I originally asked this question wondering where on the deck is the hatchcrane safest in rough weather. Being moved aft to stay out of the way of freezing spray makes a lot of sense. I know it's not November, but I have to ask do they know where the hatchcrane was batten down on the Fitzgerald when she sank? Fore or aft? Also, same thing for the Anderson during the storm?

All the hatchcrane on the Clarke had to keep it was secure to the deck was turnbuckles. There were four on the port side, four on the starboard. Two on the front, two on the back on each side. It might be different now, but that's how it was in the 8 years I sailed on her in the 70s.

I swear I've seen at least one ship that had turnbuckles that "secured" the hatch crane. I " " that because I don't think they could have held it in place if a force great enough to derail it hit the ship. That would have to be a heck of a wave though. There's no much lower surface area for the water to push up on. The only warning I ever heard about hatch cranes was not to use the brake or it could derail.

When I sailed on the Clarke in the 70s we keep the hatchcrane up front spring thru fall and after that we kept it aft. That helped avoid a lot of the freezing spray. Also had canvas covers on both ends of the crane. In cold weather, even with the covers, the gearbox would get so cold you'd have to put a torch to it to heat up the grease/oil so that it would operate.

If you're sailing into heavy seas on the Lakes, which is more prudent?
Having the hatchcrane secured forward or aft? And would this depend on the direction of the wind and waves? And would this be different for a forward pilothouse boat? TIA, I've always wondered this...