hoisting TI from above?

local sailing club doesn't have any ramps. they have hoists to pickup from above, boom out over water and drop in. any issue attaching lines to bow handles and/or aka cross bars and suspending from above? is there any recommendations on how to rig to keep boat level and spread the stress to multiple points.

Thanks.

--dimes

Perhaps Matt Miller or Jacques Bernier from Hobie will chime in to give us an official position, but I'd be inclined to create a bridle with 4 lines connected to a single lifting ring and their opposite ends attached to the forward and aft aka cross bars at the points where they connect to the main hull or use two slings under the main hull, one just forward of the forward aka cross bar and one just aft of the aft aka cross bar and both slings connecting to the single hoist hook midway between the two.
- Sam Carter

What he said... Those front and rear carrying handles are a huge no-no for hoisting though. Definitely attach the hoist to the crossbars.

_________________
Tony Stott
2012 Tandem Island "SIC EM" with Hobie spinnaker

You could make a hoist bridle sling - just some straps or ropes around each aka knuckle joint to connect to a single shackle - then just hoist it in and out. Its not too difficult. (just getting the rear and front lengths right so it sits level in the air while hoisting it in.)

_________________
Jacques Bernier
http://www.hobie.com/
http://www.facebook.com/HobieCatCompany

Uses bridle and sling attached to a rod above, presumably to avoid pinching sides in.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dgxodOMpWgc

Uses sling BETWEEN mirage drive wells.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A3-AuJg1-uQ

It seems a sling is friendliest to the boat since its used to being supported below but I'd be putting the sling on while in the water and hoisting out. As such I think I'll have to do four aka cross bar points to a single ring. Anybody doing this have lengths and attachments worked out? About to order a new boat and figure I can use one less project on day 1.

Regards.