EP59 – DIY Bridge Crane Success! Lifting Engines, Installing Sail Drives
Engines go back in, sail drives are installed, and a DIY bridge crane helps us hit one of the biggest refit milestones yet.
This week aboard Roam, we hit one of the biggest milestones of the refit so far. Engines go back in. Sail drives are installed. Props are mounted. And a DIY bridge crane we built ourselves proves that sometimes the sketchy-looking plan is actually the right one.
EP59 is one of those rare refit weeks where multiple major systems move forward at once — and the boat starts looking a lot more like a boat again.
Sail drive installation and engine placement aboard a cruising catamaran using a custom-built bridge crane.
Episode Summary
In EP59 of Sailing Roam, we tackle several high-impact projects that bring us significantly closer to launch. We install the sail drives, mount the propellers, test a new eco-friendly b coating, and move the engines into place using a custom-built bridge crane.
It’s a physically demanding week, but also one of the most satisfying so far — the kind of progress that reminds you why all the earlier teardown work was worth it.
Installing the Sail Drives
With mounting surfaces prepped and alignment carefully checked, we finally lower the sail drives into position and secure them in place. This is a critical step toward getting propulsion systems back online and marks a major turning point in the refit.
Once they’re in, there’s no mistaking it — the boat is officially on its way back.
Mounting the Propellers
With the sail drives installed, we move straight into mounting the propellers. Everything is torqued to spec and double-checked. It’s another big checkmark on the list and one more system crossed off before launch.
Testing F2 Eco Rudder Paint
We tested F2 Eco, an opalescent white marine coating that’s just entering the recreational yacht market.
This is not a sponsored product — we’re trying it because the advertised capabilities and environmental claims caught our attention, and we wanted to see how it performs in real-world conditions.
We’ll be watching closely over time and sharing how it holds up.
Moving the Engines with a DIY Bridge Crane
The biggest challenge of the week is getting the engines back into place. To make it possible, we design and build a DIY bridge crane using Unistrut and a compact chain hoist.
It’s one of those moments where careful planning pays off — the system works exactly as intended, allowing us to lift, position, and bolt the engines to the sail drives safely and accurately.
Big jobs don’t always require big equipment — sometimes they just require thinking it through.
Why This Week Matters
Individually, each of these projects is significant. Together, they represent a huge leap forward. EP59 is about reclaiming momentum — turning a stripped-down hull into a vessel that’s starting to look ready for the next phase.
These are the weeks that make launch feel real again.
What Comes Next
With engines back in place and major underwater systems installed, attention shifts upward. The next challenge is preparing the mast for re-stepping — installing tracks, running wiring, mounting hardware, and racing winter weather to hit a tight deadline.
That push — and the setbacks that come with it — are the focus of the next episode.
➡️ Next up: EP60 — Racing the Clock to Restepping Our Mast
Transparency Note
Products mentioned in this episode were selected and used independently. Nothing featured here is sponsored — we share what we’re using because it’s part of the work and may be useful to others.
