Moving

The Great Hull Moving

In 2002 I divorced, which required an entire rethinking of how I was going to proceed with this project, this dream. (Incidentally, divorce required a rethinking of how I was going to proceed with my entire life, but that another story, for another time and place. It's been a growth experience, and the future is bright.)

Fortunately, my 'ex' allowed, (through negotiation) that I continue work at the old shop until the hull was in a movable state. This required the completion of wood fairing and construction of the wood keel, and at least one layer of fiberglass sheathing as I'd have to move the hull to an exposed outside site, where I'd build a new shop.

I hired Morgan Machinery Moving for the big event. They did a fine job and I'd highly recommend them if you're in the Portland, Oregon area. The job took most of three days and cost a total of $5600. Moving day was 11/1/03.


First the end wall of the old shop was removed, along with the attached pony stall. All this had to be rebuilt afterward.	Morgan's crew first man-handled I-beams under the hull.

The hull was jacked up high.	A drag frame was assembled outside and pushed under the hull with a forklift with an extendable arm.

The forklift repositioned the hull on the frame. It's lifting the entire bow half of the boat by the stem. It was all done before I could say no, but obviously it's strong enough. No discernible hull deformation with all this manipulation.	And it's dragged out into the light of day.

Dragging was done with cables to the forklift and the crane, through tackles.	Lift-off.
The hull was left on the roadway overnight. I worked graveyard that night so I couldn't get there early enough the following morning to witness the trip down the one-lane road to the trailer. It was done with the hull hanging bow and stern with slings from two of those extension arm forklifts acting like cranes, driving in concert down the road and around the corner to place the hull on the trailer. Quite a sight I'm told!
	All strapped down and ready to travel the 20 or so miles needed.

Delivery to the Cascade Yachts, Inc. boat-yard to join many other boats in various stages of repair, reconstruction, or delapidation and abandoned dreams.	My dream continues as a new, smaller and cruder shop is built over the hull.