The Great boat turning night.......what a relief

Overall a great night for team darlington boat builders. We were all somewhat concerned about flipping the boat 180 degrees it does weigh approx. a 1/2 ton at this point. Slings were in place when Jim O arrived at the barn. Playing the role of a conservative QC man and safety person he went over our setup.  There was some cracked wood showing in the ceiling pick points. While Tim and Tony worked on cutting the boat bottom shoes. David and Jim made the sling support points safe to proceed.

While all butts were in full pucker mode at the onset of the move....it was over before we knew what happened. Worked like a charm!!!!

The Boat would actually float at this point. We will begin to finish the topside and inside in the coming weeks.

As a special bonus Tim can mow his yard as we freed his mower from isolation in the back of the barn during the lift.

  



Another picture of Tim in the boat.


Note Jim Orndorff in the background taking a selfie. Come on Jim!!



Tim was like nervous ant in a hot skillet all night.... he looks totally relieved to have the boat
in its new position.  Really the first time we have stepped into the boat.


We have been building the boat upside down for past weeks.

 



Note the carpentry required between barn trusses to allow the pick points

After tilting as far as possible with the slings all men on deck to turn the boat in the sling a full 180 deg
Boat is now right side up.  Wow!!!!!



As planned we began adjusting the slings to lift and tilt one side of the boat





Everyone is nervous about the steps to come

Picture from the bow with all three slings in place for the lift

 

Using Tims router table to round edges of boat bottom shoes

 

Finding centerline on boat bottom to properly attach boat bottom shoes

Tim and Tony scratching our heads on how we will attach the slings to the barn ceiling structure.