Editor’s Note: Larry Wegeman began building this 2/3 scale PT Boat in 2004. He has been reporting to us on his progress since 2010. (The previous report can be found in the Dolphin Talk December, 2014 issue.)
Photo by Bill Tigrett
April 18, 2022
I’ve never seen a crane up close, so with no idea what it could do or not do, I was worried. Could the crane reach the boat over the balcony on the house? And what about the concrete driveway? … would it break? And to move the boat would take a professional boat mover. Would he manage the crane, and worst of all….what is all of this going to cost?
The boat mover was Ultimate Boat Movers out of Clear Lake, Texas and he arranged for a 100 ton crane. All I could see were dollar signs. The date was set during the week. Traffic would be light.
It was a Monday and the movers were first to arrive. The caravan included one semi and three pickups. In short order the huge yellow monster arrived. It was a crane named MAXIM from Maxim Crane Works and with more wheels than a locomotive. The driver asked how thick the concrete was and started sizing up the next move. Then another semi appeared. It was with the crane and included no less than 2000 lbs of ballistic for the crane and four 4’x4’ steel frames with 3/4 inch plate steel too and bottom. They had to be heavy. I watched as the crane placed these frames around the crane where the crane’s legs would rest. The legs extended out and onto the frames then the boom started telescoping upward…..80 feet …90…. 100 feet.
The workmen were bustling all the time; getting the trailer in place, attaching lines to the boat, and managing the sling around the center lines of the boat that I thought weighed 25,000 lbs. Most of the time I was holding my breath. Then it happened, almost like magic and quite unbelievable. The boat started to rise. Bill Tigrett was taking photos. The boat rose and swung out into the street and onto the trailer. The workmen were ready with landing stands as the boat came down. Bill Tigrett got into his truck and ahead on the boat trailer. He would guide the trailer around two hairy turns. Remember the boat is 52 feet long and extended out quite a bit from the back of the trailer. On the trailer’s rear the sign read ‘WIDE LOAD’.
Unloading went smoothly. Blocks were already in place. Nevertheless the crew added two metal auger-type stands.
The boat was moved to an area behind Sonny’s Marine.
After two years of just sitting, I will look for water damage, then sand and paint. I’ll fiberglass as needed. When painting, there will be no changes in color.
The big job will be lining up the engine to the drive shaft through three bearings, two outside the boat. When the engine is in neutral, the propeller should turn freely.
Next to enclose the driveshaft so seawater cannot enter. I need to install a driveshaft and rudder.
I have a three year lease with Sonny’s Marine and hope to finish by then. My goal is to live on the boat.
