SINGLE POINT HOIST discussion

First off, I'm no authority on this, so I asked around.

People I've talked to have been somewhat less than enthusiastic about using a single-point lift technique for an E 32-2.

I'd emphatically suggest the hoist be 4 ton, minimally...figure an E 32-2 to weigh-in close to 6000 pounds all-up, that is: fully rigged with an engine, sails, cushions, porta-potty etc on board. An o/b with the engine off and totally stripped of sails, etc, might be closer to 5,000 pounds.

A ID35 weighs about 6000 pounds and people routinely use single-point lifts to drysail them (or so says one of the reviewers, namely designer Robert Perry).

3 tons is a lot to lift on a single point...a J24 is one thing, and it's fairly routine to single-point a J24, it's done all the time in fact. The thing I'd be wary of with the E 32-2 is how lightly built the keep sump is and obviously how well the single-point fastener is attached to the keel...I think I'd consult a builder's drawing's on how to sink new keel bolts before I'd attempt to define what is, and what is not, adequate for the Evelyn keel.

Every E 32-2 I've ever seen sits a little bit bow down, so determining a true balance point may be a chore and it's entirely possible that the pivot point is so far forward on these boats that it would end up being dicey trying to get the lifting strap clear (aft) of the companionway.

Balance is an issue on the J24, and this (see below) is how we've been able to move the pivot-point forward so that the boat balances relatively level and clear the companionway so that pressure doesn't rip the hatch off.

Left, A piece of custom fitted, laminated 2x4 sits behind the sliding hatch to take the load from the lifting strap, rather than the hatch itself.

With the pivot point drawn forward, courtesy of the lines run forward to the bow cleat, the J24 sits relatively level. Without the lines, the bow would droop significantly.

SO, bottom line? If I were going to do this, I'd go to the pros and then get a second opinion somewhere else. Maybe it's no big deal, but things can get really ugly if something fails on a single point system. The boats would certainly benefit from being drysailed and I could see why this would be desirable, but I'd be really really particular about who did the fastener job!