Lifting spreader beam tackles classic yachts

Contact Attachments, which manufactures a comprehensive range of forklift attachments on behalf of organisations worldwide, recently designed and produced a made-to-measure lifting spreader beam for its customer Haines Boatyard, located within Chichester Harbour. 

The team at Haines Boatyard, which has been expertly restoring and maintaining classic keelboats, cruising yachts and motor craft for more than three decades, was in need of a custom-built beam that would enable the precise handling of its clients’ boats as well as its on-site mooring blocks. 

Chris Hodge, managing director at Haines Boatyard, said: “We initially got in touch with Contact Attachments as we required a frame that we could use with our existing telehandler to lift and move boats on and off trailers and into our dedicated storage areas. The boats we handle range from wooden keel boats to RIBs and motor boats of varying sizes up to 30ft, and so we needed a very flexible piece of equipment.

“We found the team at Contact Attachments extremely helpful and interactive in the design of the frame, and the final result does everything that we expected of it.”

Dave Manuel, technical sales director at Contact Attachments adds: “We are proud to offer a totally personalised service to suit our customers’ very varied needs, and this recent project on behalf of Haines Boatyard was no exception. The design of the beam we produced was based predominantly on the client’s existing piece of equipment, and was tailored specifically to meet the team’s wide load handling requirements. Not only was it manufactured to the very highest quality, but it was also supplied fully tested and compliant with the latest health and safety regulations.”