Blocks and Stands

[mstaglia]

Being new to a 310 Sundancer, I had it hauled and stored on blocks and stands. I used 4 stands and 2 sets of blocks all installed by the hauler. Is that enough blocks or should I add another stack? What is the rule of thumb for spacing blocks?
Mike:huh:

 

[Henry Boyd]

The number of items is right, but without pictures I can't really say if the sizes/locations are right. But if you used a trucker that specializes in boat hauling (like Jocelyn from Newburyport) then it was probably done right.

First off, The blocks hold the weight of the boat. the stands just keep the boat from tipping over. One pile blocks should be located just about under the front of the windshield on the keel center line. The second set should be located at the stern close-ish to the transom. It will depend on things like drives, transducers, through hull water pickups, propeller shafts and hardware etc.

Next, wood blocks - good, concrete cinder blocks - not good. The concrete blocks are actually quite fragile and are susceptible to cracking in winter conditions (especially in our part of the country). The bigger the blocks the better, but remember since they are put on the centerline the actual contact area is quite small, so any dimension that increase the contact area is good.

That's the best I can offer without any additional info.

Henry

 

[kindredspirit]

I've got mine blocked with 3 sets of blocks under the keel and 2 stands to control tipping. If you've only got 2 blocks under the keel I'd add at least one more, that is pretty light. Like Henry Boyd said, the stands don't do much other than preventing it from tipping over, they don't hold any weight.

 

[Lazy Daze]

Certainly, it's not going to hurt to add another block, but what you've got is fine. We block boats your size exactly as you are describing (assuming, like Henry said, the blocks are in a decent spot).

FYI: We use large, styrofoam-type blocks with a couple pieces of 2x4 or 4x4 over the top. I'd guesstimate the blocks to be about 2-1/2' or 3' square.

 

[Henry Boyd]

Dennis,

The styrofoam blocks sound like a great idea. What kind of life do they have? I assume in a dealership setting they are in constant use. Would they last more than a winter?

Henry

 

[Lazy Daze]

Dennis,

The styrofoam blocks sound like a great idea. What kind of life do they have? I assume in a dealership setting they are in constant use. Would they last more than a winter?

Henry

Oh my, yes. They get used all year long. I couldn't tell you exactly how long they last - but it is many years.

Give me a couple of days and I'll see if I can scrounge up some more info about the blocks for you.

 

[mstaglia]

Thanks for the info. I used Northeast Boat Storage from Salisbury,MA. Great guys to do business with. They did my haul out of CN when I bought the boat in June. Very reasonable and very careful with my boat. I was very pleased and would recomend them to all for hauling and storage. I used large blocks and have more. Maybe I'll put in 1 more stack.
Mike

 

[Henry Boyd]

Mike,

Is that Spectacle Island in the background?

Henry

 

[rondds]

I've noticed that on boats with outdrives the yard will often not put blocks in the midsection underbelly of the boat, ie: they block the transom and the bow only. I make sure to remind the marina guys that my engines are straight drives and I want the engines blocked. Even if I had v or stern drives, I'd still want a center set of blocks.

 

[mstaglia]

Henry, good eye. One of my favorite spots. Spent a few days watching the tall ships come in. The Island was empty as you can see on Monday morning.
Mike

 

[Henry Boyd]

We've stayed there a couple of times. It is a nice location with probably the best view of the city in the AM.

Henry