The solution for storing and maintaining your boats

To properly stabilise a boat out of the water for winter layup or for repairs and maintenance, you must distribute the loads correctly and balance the supports for perfect stability on the ground.

Poor cradling can deform the hull or cause a serious accident. Check the cradling regularly before any work nearby. Watch out for theft and vandalism on your cradle components and fixed or adjustable cradles. It is important to get help from a professional for handling, cradling and balancing loads on the supports.

Here are the basic rules to follow when cradling a boat with or without a keel:

1. The fundamental rule

• There are fixed keels and removable keels. The number of supports depends on the type of hull (wood, polyester, steel, marine aluminium), the weight and the length of the boat.
• Balance the supports for perfect stability on the ground.
• Use only thick hardwood blocks under the keel.
• Place at least four support points below the waterline, on perfectly flat, firm ground.

2. Side stabilisation for perfect balance

• The adjustable cradles stabilise the whole hull and keep the boat upright.
• Place the supports below the waterline, in the reinforced areas of the hull.
• Place the support pads at the strongest structural areas of the hull.
• Never place the pads in the middle of an empty fibreglass panel, as this could dent the hull.
• Connect opposite cradles to each other with chains or straps under the keel, to stop them spreading apart with wind or vibration.

3. Safety and preparation rules

• Lighten the boat and avoid liquid movement that could shift the centre of gravity.
• Place thick wooden planks under the feet to stop them sinking in.
• In strong wind, the boat must be guyed and ballasted.

Here are the basic rules to follow when cradling a motor boat:

1. Weight distribution along the central axis

• For a motorboat, rest the central axis of the hull on stable hardwood blocks, so as not to damage the hull at the support points.
• Place the main cradling point under the rear of the hull, just below the transom. Another block must support the bow.

2. Side stabilisation

• To stabilise the sides, use adjustable cradles.
• Place the cradle pads on the hull between the bottom and the side. Raised lines are the most rigid areas.
• Never press the supports right in the middle of flat hull surfaces, as this would dent the fibreglass.

3. Managing engine weight

• Simply make sure the propeller does not touch the ground (leave a safety margin).
• If the engine is extremely heavy, you can fit a wooden support under the bottom of the engine to relieve the boat's structure.