Winch/pulley/hoist - canoe onto roof

[Ewan123]

It's piddling with rain out there so I want to overthink a situation. We've got a canoe that I can *just* about lift onto the roof, as in the bottom diagram; however, it puts alot of strain on the canoe's gunwales in one spot where I need to lever it to get it onto the roof. It's also pretty heavy work to get it to there (50+kg 4m ish long), and I've dropped it a couple of times in the process before. Not ideal.

 

I'm thinking about some sort of winch/pulley system so that I can haul it up sideways instead. I've got the solid ring to use where the centre line attaches. It would be nice to get it from point A to B in a secure/assisted way, then I would have to manually get it over the lip after B, but it would be good for it to stay at B hands-free while I reposition myself - this is where I'm most likely to drop it.

Does anyone have any suggestions about the best way to go about this? I'm looking for simple/ cheap options... a battery drill-winch looks fun but most seem quite expensive (£100+).

 

Some sort of folding crane would be 1) Great Fun but 2) excessive and 3) pricey...

 

[Tonka]

You can roof racks for vans that work exactly like that

[Alan de Enfield]

Treat it like an unconscious 'man overboard'

 

Tie 2 ropes ,1/3rd way from the front of the canoe, and 1/3rd of the way from the stern of the canoe to the rail (on the side the canoe is). A net can be used instead.

Pass ropes underneath the canoe

Pass ropes over the top of the canoe and over the top of the boat.

Pass ropes thru the centere line ring

Stand on the opposite side of the boat

Pull on both ropes and the canoe will roll over, lift out of the water and 'slide' up the side of the boat.

 

If you are worried about the paintwork some carpet draped over the side of the boat rail will protect the side of the boat.

 

 

This is what you are trying to achieve :

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited Monday at 16:13 by Alan de Enfield

[Tonka]

Google Kari Tek canoe loader

 

https://kari-tek.com/roof-racks/

Edited Monday at 16:12 by Tonka
Link added

[Ewan123]

5 minutes ago, Alan de Enfield said:

Treat it like an unconcious 'man overboard'

 

Tie 2 ropes ,1/3rd way from the front of the canoe, and 1/3rd of the way from the stern of the canoe to the rail (on the side the canoe is). A net can be used instead.

Pass ropes underneath the canoe

Pass ropes over the top of the canoe and over the top of the boat.

Pass ropes thru the centere line ring

Stand on the opposite side of the boat

Pull on both ropes and the boat will roll over, lift out of the water and 'slide' up the side of the boat.

 

If you are worried about the paintwork some carpet draped over the side of the boat rail will protect the side of the boat.

 

 

This is what you are trying to achieve :

 

 

 

 

Hmm yes I can see the potential there... the canoe would still stick at point B on my diagram though, before getting over the roof lip (at that point, the ropes wwouldn't be pulling upwards as the centre-line ring would be level with the canoe). Then I'd still have to rely on brute strength to get it up as well, which I'd like to reduce the need for.

[Alan de Enfield]

Just now, Ewan123 said:

Hmm yes I can see the potential there... the canoe would still stick at point B on my diagram though, before getting over the roof lip (at that point, the ropes wwouldn't be pulling upwards as the centre-line ring would be level with the canoe). Then I'd still have to rely on brute strength to get it up as well, which I'd like to reduce the need for.

 

 

Yes understand that, but it really takes little effort - one person can fairly easily roll a 100kg chap (or chapess) on board.

 

You could make a winch attachment to clip onto the opposite side rail.

 

It is just one option.

[Ewan123]

14 minutes ago, Tonka said:

Google Kari Tek canoe loader

 

https://kari-tek.com/roof-racks/

Thanks, I like the idea but I think I'd get annoyed with the clutter of a rack. It might interfere with use of the centre-line as well (in addition to the current decking and and flues!)

 

 

5 minutes ago, Alan de Enfield said:

 

 

Yes understand that, but it really takes little effort - one person can fairly easily roll a 100kg chap (or chapess) on board.

 

You could make a winch attachment to clip onto the opposite side rail.

 

It is just one option.

I'm thinking the challenge/difference is that the canoe wouldn't roll all the way up. That and a winch to the opposite rail might be good.

 

All options/suggestions are appreciated, thank you.

Edited Monday at 16:26 by Ewan123

[Peugeot 106]

47 minutes ago, Alan de Enfield said:

Treat it like an unconscious 'man overboard'

 

Tie 2 ropes ,1/3rd way from the front of the canoe, and 1/3rd of the way from the stern of the canoe to the rail (on the side the canoe is). A net can be used instead.

Pass ropes underneath the canoe

Pass ropes over the top of the canoe and over the top of the boat.

Pass ropes thru the centere line ring

Stand on the opposite side of the boat

Pull on both ropes and the canoe will roll over, lift out of the water and 'slide' up the side of the boat.

 

If you are worried about the paintwork some carpet draped over the side of the boat rail will protect the side of the boat.

 

 

This is what you are trying to achieve :

 

 

 

 

 

 

Glad he’s got a helmet on or a good dentist it looks horrendous though maybe anything is better than being left in the water. Might be just acceptable in a rib with soft(ish) sides and if we did it at our sailing club I’m pretty sure we’d have a lot less people wanting rescuing!

[Phoenix_V]

umm moor next to a higher bank?

[Peugeot 106]

21 minutes ago, Phoenix_V said:

umm moor next to a higher bank?

Even better load it in a lock!

[Ewan123]

44 minutes ago, Phoenix_V said:

umm moor next to a higher bank?

So long as I can get it onto the high bank ;). Unfortunately I've not come across many that are conveniently in the spot where I might want to get the canoe onto the roof.

23 minutes ago, Peugeot 106 said:

Even better load it in a lock!

Hmm... it's usually before a flight that I want to get it onto the roof so that's not the worst idea, using the first lock! We tow it 90% of the time, the main point when it becomes a faff is in locks (it risks getting crushed when the boat moves backwards in the lock, and makes it awkward to step off the stern after a lock to close the gate).

[Phoenix_V]

dont forget to take it off before the first low bridge

[Mike Hurley]

Buy an inflatable canoe.

[Jerra]

2 hours ago, Alan de Enfield said:

Treat it like an unconscious 'man overboard'

 

Tie 2 ropes ,1/3rd way from the front of the canoe, and 1/3rd of the way from the stern of the canoe to the rail (on the side the canoe is). A net can be used instead.

Pass ropes underneath the canoe

Pass ropes over the top of the canoe and over the top of the boat.

Pass ropes thru the centere line ring

Stand on the opposite side of the boat

Pull on both ropes and the canoe will roll over, lift out of the water and 'slide' up the side of the boat.

 

If you are worried about the paintwork some carpet draped over the side of the boat rail will protect the side of the boat.

 

 

I was thinking along these lines as well but with pulleys incorporated to make the pulling easier. 

[Ewan123]

1 hour ago, Mike Hurley said:

Buy an inflatable canoe.

We had one and it was fun for a bit (until it popped) but a proper canoe is just so much more comfortable and civilised with the higher seating position. Also better at transporting logs, gas cylinders and other heavy stuff!

[Jerra]

Another modification could be two rope from the roof (don't know what to attach them to ) stretched out and pinned down making a slope for the canoe to roll up.  This would mean the canoe was more or less level when it reached the roof and needed little or no effort to get it on to the roof.

[Ewan123]

1 minute ago, Jerra said:

Another modification could be two rope from the roof (don't know what to attach them to ) stretched out and pinned down making a slope for the canoe to roll up.  This would mean the canoe was more or less level when it reached the roof and needed little or no effort to get it on to the roof.

That could work towpath-side, but the port side of the roof has flues in the way and we generally moor with that side on the towpath, since our side hatch opens to starboard.

Edited Monday at 19:37 by Ewan123

[Jerra]

1 minute ago, Ewan123 said:

That could work towpath-side, but the port side of the roof has flues in the way and we generally moor with that side on the towpath, since our side hatch opens to starboard.

Ah then of course it wouldn't work.

[BEngo]

This is a perfect opportunity for sky hooks. 

 

N

[Tonka]

11 hours ago, BEngo said:

This is a perfect opportunity for sky hooks. 

 

N

Just needs a Derrick, like they use on lifeboats on cruise ships. Sorted. 

 

[Alan de Enfield]

15 minutes ago, Tonka said:

Just needs a Derrick, like they use on lifeboats on cruise ships. Sorted. 

 

 

 

I've always known them as Davits.

 

 

 

 

A derrick is a lifting device composed at minimum of one guyed mast, as in a gin pole, which may be articulated over a load by adjusting its guys. Most derricks have at least two components, either a guyed mast or self-supporting tower, and a boom hinged at its base to provide articulation, as in a stiffleg derrick. The most basic type of derrick is controlled by three or four lines connected to the top of the mast, which allow it to both move laterally and cant up and down. To lift a load, a separate line runs up and over the mast with a hook on its free end, as with a crane.

 

Edited Tuesday at 08:04 by Alan de Enfield

[Peugeot 106]

50 minutes ago, Alan de Enfield said:

 

 

I've always known them as Davits.

 

 

 

 

A derrick is a lifting device composed at minimum of one guyed mast, as in a gin pole, which may be articulated over a load by adjusting its guys. Most derricks have at least two components, either a guyed mast or self-supporting tower, and a boom hinged at its base to provide articulation, as in a stiffleg derrick. The most basic type of derrick is controlled by three or four lines connected to the top of the mast, which allow it to both move laterally and cant up and down. To lift a load, a separate line runs up and over the mast with a hook on its free end, as with a crane.

 

That’s Tonka told then!!

[magnetman]

Davit is pronounced 'dayvit' in case anyone was unsure. 

 

Another possible solution could be a wheelchair crane. They are quite compact being designed to go in the back of vehicles. One of these with a form of mounting bracket (additional steelwork needed) could potentially be used to lift and swing a canoe. 

 

this one on fleabay has linear actuator for the swing and a parvalux geared strap winch for the lift. 

www.ebay.co.uk/itm/296719446748

 

 

Quite a lot of hardware but I see the £50 is a start price and they probably won't take that little. 

 

Using empty locks is probably the best suggestion. 

Edited Tuesday at 09:07 by magnetman

[jim mitchell]

 

 

 

https://www.castinstyle.co.uk/section.php/2/1/traditional-pulley-clothes-airers

 

How about modding something like this  using just 2 or 3 wood lengths, and pulleys and a cleat  mounyted as suits, if the hoisting rope is one length tying knots at appropriate points and hooking it onto the cleat will allow it to be held at any height chosen - they have all the components including brass 'frames' available seperately.

 

if acceptable a couple of small rubber tyred wheels at roof edge would aid roll over

 

and the whole lot dismantled in minutes for stowage inside as required.

[Ewan123]

12 hours ago, magnetman said:

Davit is pronounced 'dayvit' in case anyone was unsure. 

 

Another possible solution could be a wheelchair crane. They are quite compact being designed to go in the back of vehicles. One of these with a form of mounting bracket (additional steelwork needed) could potentially be used to lift and swing a canoe. 

 

this one on fleabay has linear actuator for the swing and a parvalux geared strap winch for the lift. 

www.ebay.co.uk/itm/296719446748

 

 

Quite a lot of hardware but I see the £50 is a start price and they probably won't take that little. 

 

Using empty locks is probably the best suggestion. 

Tempting, I might just keep an eye on listings for those.