₦airaland Forum

Had to use my truck to tow the boat....as them no gree tow am by themselves. this wasn't part of my contract

ended up bending my tow bar now my truck looks like a lowbed from behind ...I regretted it but even today I don't think I had an option.

D Day

the tension was unbearable, God na your hand I dey.

But I had to pretend I was normal in front of everybody. truth be told, no be be stand there.

I died a thousand times and woke up each time because of my mother

installation was very stressful because we had to respect the tide.

I was using a website that shows Lagos tide levels and times of lowest tide and times of highest tides. that was the only way o!

because for one I don't enjoy my balls coming in contact with that smelling water

This water hyacinth, it's like them swear for am. one minute the water is clear, the next 10 minutes water hyacinth will just appear from nowhere and cover everywhere...

When they disappear too it's as if someone turned their switch off. you come the next day you won't be able to find a single leaf.

During installation, we couldn't take even a single picture because we were inside the river.

I lost 2 spanners to the river and if I lose my phone we won't be here today.

Installation time. Oh my ...how I hate coveralls

We left the place just as we met it

Next it was time to go.

Dismantled the entire thing. another reason why I used bolts and nuts everywhere so that I can carry it easily.

There was also no access for a crane or HIAB at the river bank so when we get there, installation has to be entirely by hand.

I was just anxiously pacing about ...sweating and doing mass per unit length calculations with mass per unit length parameters I got from Google ...looking like a scared maniac...that's how I arrived at 699.35kg.

After everything sha, it lifted it and held up. it was even bouncing like a bouncing boat lift

I decided to test the lift with heavy beams someone was selling beside me. had to pay the man just to use his beams as a load on the boat lift. then paid the boys that helped me load it on the boat lift.

Total weight I was able to get around was 699.35kg.

if it can lift this one ...then there is hope ...

I don't want to say what was going through my brain while they were loading all those heavy beams on the cradle...I don't wish that feeling on my enemy.

The hard wood completely bolted unto the cradle bars. flush bolted for obvious reasons.

I was initially contemplating wrapping the hard wood with some kind of rug or conveyor belt but the thought of being called back after 2 months for maintenance works inside that smelling river had me changing my mind.

I go just paint the hard wood galvanized colour

That's where I sit to think about the next step and how to go about it; or how to solve a problem.

mexxy1:
The face here looks familiar.
Eronini?

people say that everywhere I go, pls remind me

These bolts holding the hard wood had to be flush mounted so they don't scratch the hull of the boat. I can't allow my work to kill my client ...I love him

I bought hard wood and sliced them into 1m lengths so that the cradle can bend in conformity with the curves on the boat hull.

The angle iron cradle frame would bend by default so I had no fear there.

Then, I designed the cradle that will make contact with the hull of the boat without damaging it...so we don't have another Titanic incident for the client.

Kulverstukas:
Lol. Yes I could give you free angle irons if you were in PH, many clients who can't pay the balance of their jobs due to many reasons(including but not limited to politicization of the jobs) abandon their metals in my factory so I have lots of angle irons,U-beams, flanges and even ladders dusty in my factory for many, many years. Most of these clients aren't even operational any longer or have moved out of Nigeria so there's really no breach of contract! Good to know you have another project this January. I used to galavanize metals and bolts for a huge Oil Servicing Company which also assembles boats in PH so I'm quite experienced. I have also done jobs for major IOCs here ranging from Chevron to Shell to Addax to Mobil etc. I'm honestly very impressed by your project and would gladly accept any galvanizing jobs 100kg and above. Do update us regularly on this thread about this project as I am now a keen observer. You go win las las..

Cheers

I see you. with that kind of business you should be in Lagos honestly ...

I'm sure I'll need you very soon.

Testing to see if it can lift me and the ewedu in my stomach...

like play like play my stomach was just lifting up until later my whole body started to follow

Before I knew it I was 2m in the air .....hnmn that's a good start. at least I weigh about 75-80kg.

2tons is what we want to lift with this device so enough of the play play

Now if you go to Owode and you never chop their ewedu ... it means you no come work today

I ate it everyday for 3 weeks

Here after installing the transfer lines and load lines and hooked them up with the winch...I was wondering if it will work.

Gave a tailor money at the market to make a tarp to cover the winch at close of work everyday so rain water doesn't enter inside. this was in October and it was still raining like mad.

Next I mounted the winch on one of the stanchions I made 1 ft longer than the other 3 stanchions.

this mounting is just for testing purposes. the final height of the winch has to be 1m above where it is now.

may it interest you to know that the depth of the river where the boat lift will be installed is about 2m at high tide and 1.4m at low tide.

so 70% of this lift will be submerged in water beyond visual range.

Marking out the holes for the U-bolts that will hold the winch in place.

the winch must not slid down the stanchion when lifting the boat else I'm in trouble. we will mitigate that when we get there. just know that for now.

Mounting the winch.
The thing about integrating most off the shelf components is that most times you chose your dimensions and parameters from existing features you find on the component you bought.

so this design and construction of a boat lift, I did it without any design drawing. everything was plan as you go. I prayed a lot because, imagine working without a drawing for something as complex as this and if I fail I'll have to refund a lot of money.

Next, had to mark the transfer beams and load beams for installation of rollers for the lift cables.
Note: even the winch cables had to be galvanized steel cables minimum of 8mm.

Kulverstukas:
Nice innovative and informative thread. Just in case, I do hot-dip metal galvanizing that meets international standard and would be of assistance if necessary. You sure have a lot on your hands but I'm certain experience and perseverance would guide you. If you were in PH, I could have helped you with some equipments(Forklift, metal baths, angle irons) you might need for free. I love fascinating projects as these! I wish you all the best!

PS: Seems like you're in Lagos. If you know prospective clients for metal galvanizing in Lagos, we could do business as I'm working on opening a branch of my factory in Lagos this first quarter of the year. Proofs of work are available and I'm available for meet ups if and when necessary.

Cheers

thanks, hnmn free angle iron? I would jump at that any day. another client wants another boat lift this January and his concept is even more challenging.

Good morning people, I had to sleep, but now that I'm awake ...more pictures coming. sit tight

Now painted and reassembled at the rented space for the real battle to commence.

Na play we dey play since trust yourself not me

Next, assembly of main frames to see how they fit together.
That's how people were just passing up and down disturbing me

Both main frames now complete. checkout my James Bond glasses �

welded the main frame ensuring all the corners are square.

Selection of stanchions complete. all galvanized and imported materials. so corrosion will hardly set in.

Donchichi212:
Hello boss, first thing you need a welder, of which I'm one, so you can call me on 07033291983, I'm in PH.

Na lie! first thing I need na empty space