I have and 8m Telstar, and this is what I do each season.
I use an A frame, a ladder, a chain hoist and 2 supports.
For photos of the arrangement set up in my back garden go to this address:
http://s844.photobucket.com/user/jonath ... ing%20Star
The A frame is made up of 2 poles of 25mm square section stainless steel about 2.7m long. This is actually just a little short and 3.0m would be better.
They are joined at the top with four bolts passing through two triangular plates to form the A shape.
A cross brace half way down is added to provide a little more rigidity to the A frame.
From the A frame is suspended a 1 ton capacity chain hoist.
To raise the Ama I tie a rung of the ladder onto the deck grab rail mid point between the hinges.
The A frame is placed the required distance away from the side of the boat and the ladder is dropped over the top. This supports the A frame quite adequately. There is very little horizontal stress on the frame and it is mostly vertical when fully raised.
I then use two tie down straps hooked onto the chain hoist to raise the ama. The straps from the hoist pass underneath the ama and up the inner side and the ends tie off onto cleats, one at the aft end and one at the forward end of the ama.
The chain hoist raises the ama with great ease and also prevents it falling back without any problem. I then chock up the ama with the variable height support so as to be able to work under the ama in complete safety to place and bolt up the brackets.
This arrangement is repeated for the other side when the brackets have been bolted into place.
The supports also stop the boat rotating in the trailer especially when dropping the amas at the end of the season when you need to lift the ama higher to get the brackets out from underneath.
It all works OK for me and all the equipment fits in the back of my estate car when dismantled.
I have used a winch and pulley system on the A frame but the hoist seams easier and quicker and adjustment up and down is quick, easy, and safe.
I found the hoist on the internet at a reasonable price not too different from a quality winch and cable.
I would recommend using straps to support and lift the ama from underneath. This has the advantage of spreading the weight over the width of the strap, which doesn't stretch too much either, unlike some rope. You would need a very strong deck attachment point if you were to lift them directly from above.
Hope this info helps.
Jonathan Sykes
Telstar 8m "Morning Star"
Chichester - UK