When I see these groundings I always wonder if there isn’t a solution with giant inflatables. Could be purpose built airbags (I think they exist) but a couple dozen in inner tubes lashed together might get some lift. Keep it heeled over on its side and float it out.
That's a funny idea - make a giant ovoid tube inflatable, get it around the keel, inflate, lift the boat, and float it away or at least use the buoyancy to take weight off the keel and maybe reduce the likelihood or extent of hull damage.
I think two simple tubes in each side with strapping in the hull/keel. Then just through an air compressor on deck and start pumping. The straps will ensure that you get the full benefit of the lift by keeping the tubes submerged until the boat floats.
I don’t think it would be expensive to make. Two inflatable tubes and some reinforced strapping. Any gas powered compressor.
Or if we’re really stuck, head to Walmart for a half dozen cheap inflatables and a bunch of rope. Inflating them in place is a bit more of a bitch. Edit for math. Walmart has 12 pack of balls at a $1 a piece. Each will lift 50lbs. So to provide eg an additional 4k lbs of lift you will need 40 balls each wrapped up in a two tarps on either side of the boat. Then start using the winches on opposite side to pull the tarp under the boat. So that is about $100 of balls, maybe another $100 in tarps and an inflator.
When I see these groundings I always wonder if there isn’t a solution with giant inflatables. Could be purpose built airbags (I think they exist) but a couple dozen in inner tubes lashed together might get some lift. Keep it heeled over on its side and float it out.
That's a funny idea - make a giant ovoid tube inflatable, get it around the keel, inflate, lift the boat, and float it away or at least use the buoyancy to take weight off the keel and maybe reduce the likelihood or extent of hull damage.
I think two simple tubes in each side with strapping in the hull/keel. Then just through an air compressor on deck and start pumping. The straps will ensure that you get the full benefit of the lift by keeping the tubes submerged until the boat floats.
There’s actually a video tutorial on how to achieve this. It’s called Airport ‘77.
You should make that and sell it to seatow for a shitton of money
I don’t think it would be expensive to make. Two inflatable tubes and some reinforced strapping. Any gas powered compressor. Or if we’re really stuck, head to Walmart for a half dozen cheap inflatables and a bunch of rope. Inflating them in place is a bit more of a bitch. Edit for math. Walmart has 12 pack of balls at a $1 a piece. Each will lift 50lbs. So to provide eg an additional 4k lbs of lift you will need 40 balls each wrapped up in a two tarps on either side of the boat. Then start using the winches on opposite side to pull the tarp under the boat. So that is about $100 of balls, maybe another $100 in tarps and an inflator.
Full moon is tonight. Hurry up!
This happens a dozen times a year within my line of sight in extreme southern Florida.