Questions About Dry Dock Ship Launching Answered

[Kramjit]

Hi!

I saw from youtube clips that dry dock ship launching use these wooden(?) contraptions. Do they cause damage to the paint coat of the ships?

Thanks

 

[mgb_phys]

No that's why you use wood.
The boats don't generally slide on the wood, the sit on cradles that slide on greased rails.

 

[Kramjit]

No that's why you use wood.
The boats don't generally slide on the wood, the sit on cradles that slide on greased rails.

So you are saying that there is not a slightest damage to the coating in all cases?

Thanks

 

[Integral]

So you are saying that there is not a slightest damage to the coating in all cases?

Thanks

What do you propose that they use to cause LESS damage?

 

[Kramjit]

Perhaps we could use a material with low coefficient of friction as a material for the ramp, as described by Mr./Mdm mgb_phys. Eliminate also, altogether, the use of grease.
Fundamentally, I just would like to know if existing methods scratch the paintwork.

Thanks

 

[RonL]

It's been over 30 years, but when i had some involvement with boat building(intracoastal, and river pushboats) the below waterline coatings, were mixes of paints and resins, and some flourlike metals, that had to be continually stirred with a air motor while in the paintpot.
These finishes, when cured, were as hard or harder than the metal they covered.

Not sure but i would think that finishes today might be even better.