I was wondering if anyone has ever or still does launch their beach cat using a hoist. Our dinghy sailors use a 1 ton lift to get the boat on and off the trailer. We have some nice ramps to run our cats on but was wondering if the cat could be put on the hoist.
Appreciate any answers.

Jody Abrams

Tornado sailors do it frequently.

(hoist their boats).

Hoists used to be a very common way of launching catamarans -- that was before we had thought of sailing them off beaches. For our Shark we had a bridle arrangement and we just hooked it onto the hoist hook.

Everyone at my club launches with the hoist. 16s can use loops around pylons; bigger boats can go around main beams or purpose-installed lifting points. I built little nylon strap gizmos that slide inside the tramp track on the H20 main beam. Can use a three or 4 part sling; the 4 part is a little more stable. The higher the "eye" of the bridle/sling above the boat, the more stable, but be sure you have enough height between the boat on the trailer and the bottom of the hoist so that you can actually pick the boat up :-) I've been visiting at other marinas where my sling was too long :-( The key is to have the boat lean forward so that the mast stays off the hoist. You may have to adjust the sling the first time to get it where it's stable. Never stand under it-they come down FAST when something breaks :-)