best way to lift boat off trailer?

[oldboatguy59]

I'm really happy that I found this forum now that I started to restore my 22' 1969 Starcraft Chieftan V. It runs great but needs a lot of TLC. I want to repaint the hull and was wondering if anyone could tell me the best way to lift the boat off the trailer so I can prep and paint the bottom. Where do you lift from so you don't damage the boat, and what is the best aparatus or jack to lift with? Thanks in advance.

 

[rheagler]

Re: best way to lift boat off trailer?

I did it like this....

Big ratchet strap around the rear of the boat, just forward of the cleats, pinched on one side with smaller strap to lift one side before the other. Chain hoist to lift the back. Another big ratchet strap on the bow eye.
I was really lucky to be using warehouse space with an open truss steel framed ceiling. Others have used other methods including trees, beams in spaces above garages.
Good luck and be sure to show us some pics!

 

[North Beach]

Re: best way to lift boat off trailer?

This is from my resto thread. I stole the idea from another iBoater!
I lifted the front with some of those huge Home Depot straps we use on the car trailer. Has anyone noticed how much crap I have from HD?? I practically live there it seems. I just hooked them to the bow eye and ran one to each side of the Hillbilly Gantry.

For the stern I broke out the engine hoist we used to use for pulling motors from my son’s race car. I knew that thing would come in handy again!

The hoist is rated for 4100 pounds and each of the straps are rated for 5000. The 66 brochure lists my boat fully rigged at 1750 pounds so I think we’re good. I stacked up the old tires just in case

 

[jasoutside]

Re: best way to lift boat off trailer?

Yup, just like these fellas I did boat levitation too...

 

[North Beach]

Re: best way to lift boat off trailer?

And btw, the motor was still in mine....

 

[CheapboatKev]

Re: best way to lift boat off trailer?

lower trailer jack
This puts stern high
old tires or block corners of stern
raise trailer jack
long 4X4 with a V notch under bow. Long enough to pass trailer tires
2 scissor or bottle jacks under each end of 4X4
have a helper and each raise jack.
OR do one side, do the other, do one side..
pull trailer out.

 

[barato2]

Re: best way to lift boat off trailer?

i was brainstorming boat hoisting one night with one of our other members, and we came up with the idea of the po'folks two post lift: two beams* set into the ground in concrete at least 2' deep and about 8' apart, plus a couple of 2x12s to bolt across the gap (one 2x12 on either side of posts, so they sandwich the vertical post between em). unlike a lot of you, i dont have the handy live oak tree for a gantry. the crossbeams would unbolt between boat restos so it didn't look too unaesthetic. still not the best plan for suburbia with the aggressive HOA types around, though, but it will work great for semi rural place.

*Pt 4x4s or better. i was going to use telephone poles since my local Ace Hdwe has em in 20' length for about $60 each

 

[rheagler]

Re: best way to lift boat off trailer?

i was brainstorming boat hoisting one night with one of our other members, and we came up with the idea of the po'folks two post lift: two beams* set into the ground in concrete at least 2' deep and about 8' apart, plus a couple of 2x12s to bolt across the gap (one 2x12 on either side of posts, so they sandwich the vertical post between em). unlike a lot of you, i dont have the handy live oak tree for a gantry. the crossbeams would unbolt between boat restos so it didn't look too unaesthetic. still not the best plan for suburbia with the aggressive HOA types around, though, but it will work great for semi rural place.

*Pt 4x4s or better. i was going to use telephone poles since my local Ace Hdwe has em in 20' length for about $60 each

Depending on your soil, you may not even need the concrete. Just dig the holes, put in the posts and thoroughly compact the soil as you backfill. Unless it is really sandy or loose, it will probably compact enough to be sufficiently stable. Although a couple bags of concrete don't cost that much anyway...

 

[oldboatguy59]

Re: best way to lift boat off trailer?

Thanks for your responses you guys. All of your boat removal methods look great. It seems that he bow eye hook and the stern eye hook are a good place to hook up to. Another question came to mind.... how do you paint the hull bottom where the blocks are? Do you paint around the blocks, let the paint dry so you can move the blocks, then paint where the blocks were? Also, what type of paint is best if you plan to leave your boat moored for the season? Thanks again!