Serkan Kılıç, the experienced lift operator of Setur Kalamış & Fenerbahçe Marina, listed 10 tips for boat owners to enter the landpark.

 

 

Tip #1 - It is an important decision whether the boat will dock as ashore stem on or stern-to. This decision should be made according to the nature of the boat and the work to be done on land.

 

Tip #2 - The locations to which the pallets will contact vary depending on the structure of the boat docking. Some boat companies, generally considering the boom cranes, specify a balance point according to the tonnage and structure of the boat and mark these points on the boat with stickers. These points may not be the most accurate places (depending on the tonnage of the lifts) as the towing and dropping operations in the marinas are performed with "travel lifts".

 

Tip #3 - In sailing boats, the pallets are usually struck at the level of the ladder leading down to the cabins. The accuracy of this location must be tested by a process called "scanning".

 

Tip #4 - In outboard motor yachts, the pallets are easily struck in a balanced way, both stern and bow. On large and shaft boats, if there is no sticker, the pallet must be in line with the sliding door to the aft deck. In larger boats with keel hull, pallets can be easily struck from the balance points.

 

Tip #5 - In bottom wash, glass, shipworm, moss and mussel-like residues on the shafts, propellers and hull are cleaned.

 

Tip #6 - According to the work of the boat, it is taken to the appropriate place. It is put on chocks at spacing of 3-4 m. After the boat is leveled, it is shored up at an average of spacing of 2-3 meters on the starboard and port sides. Since most of the boat's weight is given to the chocks, very little weight will be on shore stands. Because the main purpose of the shore stands is to bring into balance.

 

Tip #7 - Leveling the boat is mostly done visually by the operators. Another option is to level the boat by putting a water gauge on the stern rest.

 

Tip #8 - Leveling in sailing boats is more sensitive than other boats. After most of the weight is placed on the ground with the chocks placed under the centerboard, the boat is leveled.

 

Tip #9 - After all the work of the boat is finished and it is ready for launching, the lift is brought to the side of the boat. The boat is approached so that it is centered on the lift.

 

Tip #10 - When the boat is taken to the boatyard, the owner or captain of the boat is also taken on board in an appropriate way. The captain makes the necessary checks at sea, if everything is normal, he gives a signal to the lift operator that he is ready, and the lift pallets are completely released and the boat leaves the boatyard.

 

 

Hasan Tahsin Kural, Sailor, Setur Kalamış & Fenerbahçe Marina

Photographs: Hasan Tahsin Kural