Blocking for PDQ 32 LRC

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Jwood1
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Blocking for PDQ 32 LRC

Post by Jwood1 »

Well, I finally did it. I bought a '97 PDQ 32 LRC, previously named Island Fever, soon to be re-named Terrapin. She will be located in Punta Gorda and kept on the hard this first summer at Safe Cove Boat Storage (5 months). My first question:
The PDQ 32 manual recommends supporting the boat with two heavy beams under the bridgedeck fore and aft, plus a couple of blocks under the keels. However, none of the cats I see in the storage yard are supported this way. They are usually supported by blocks under the keels and jackstands along each hull fore and aft. How do other PDQ 32 owners block their boat while on the hard? It almost seems counter-intuitive to support the weight of the boat under the bridge deck since when in the water, the weight is supported by the hulls, albeit all along the length of the hulls. Another issue is that I will be strapping the boat down. This means that if I tighten the straps at all, there will be downward force on the hulls with blocking under the bridgedeck. This doesn't sound good to me. I also note that the PDQ owners manual was written way before my boat was made, at hull #17, (my boat is hull #26). Therefore, I'm not sure this is the last word on blocking, nor did they consider storage in Florida with tie down straps. I ask because I will need to make a trip to Home Depot to buy some 2 x 8s if I want to block the boat the way the manual states.

How have others blocked their PDQ 32?

Thanks
Jerry
Terrapin
1997 PDQ 32 LRC #26
Punta Gorda, FL

http://terrapinsailing.com/
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thinwater
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Re: Blocking for PDQ 32 LRC

Post by thinwater »

I think all of the PDQ owners just put them on the keels. However, do be careful where they place the jackstands; if they miss the bulkheads things can crack.
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Phenix-former-owner
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Re: Blocking for PDQ 32 LRC

Post by Phenix-former-owner »

I block the boat in the winter as described in the manual; the keels sit on blocks and there are two 2x8s under the bridgedeck, in the places described in the manual. These 2x8s are supported by higher jackstands. The process I use is ... the crane sets the boat on the blocks under the keels and I put temporary jackstands under the sterns to keep the boat from tipping until I get the supports under the bridgedeck. Once the supports are under the bridgedeck, then these stern jackstands are not necessary.
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thinwater
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Re: Blocking for PDQ 32 LRC

Post by thinwater »

Has anyone ever had damage caused by blocking when on the hard?
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Iriemon
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Re: Blocking for PDQ 32 LRC

Post by Iriemon »

Follow the manual. The hull above the waterline is a cored sandwich, and if you put jackstands on the hulls above the waterline, you can get deformations in the hull. On a mono, the stands are usually placed below the waterline where the hull is solid. When I was looking at PDQs, one of them I looked at had such deformations on the side of the hull. I thought the one I bought was smooth, but then when the sun is at a particular angle, I can see slight deformations in my hulls as well from the yards blocking it improperly. :(
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