How do I put a boat up on blocks??

[Guest]

I want put my 22' cuddy up on blocks so I can repair my trailer and clean the bottom. How can I do it the safest and easiest way possible (limited tools available)? Pictures would help me a lot if available.

 

[relocyo]

Re: How do I put a boat up on blocks??

Try searching the forum for your answer, and while im no expert, pics of your boat will surely help the more knowledgible assist you on this, is something ive pondered myself, and if you look enough you will find answers, just make sure you SCREW it all together, the blocks that is, probably easier than you think

 

[jbing81]

Re: How do I put a boat up on blocks??

I wouldnt mind a little insight as well. I need to do some trailer maint. as well this fall.

 

[seabob4]

Re: How do I put a boat up on blocks??

So this is what I do. Now, it's easier with boat stands, but, anyway...

Back the boat/trailer up to a stout tree, and I mean stout. Have a substantial amount of concrete blocks at the ready. Now, tie off the boat through the stern eyes to the tree, good stout rope does the trick. Now, pull forward slowly (undo the winch strap and tie-downs!) until you have a couple of feet of the boat clear of the bunks. Stack blocks under the chines until the boat sits on the blocks. A piece of 2 X 8 on top of each stack will keep the hull from getting scratched. Then pull forward slowly until you've got the chines off the bunks just fwd of the helm, maybe a foot. Repeat the block and wood stacking process until the boat is supported. Once those stacks are in place, pull the trailer forward until it's clear of the boat, and get to work...

To retrieve, back under the bow until the bunks support the boat, remove the blocks, continue backing until the bunks support the aft end. Have a buddy man the winch strap to help you out. I know some may chime in and say this isn't safe, or have a better way, but this method has always worked for me...

 

[waterinthefuel]

Re: How do I put a boat up on blocks??

We've done the tree thing to drop the boat on the ground. The way it is described is pretty good. I like it. And the better part is, the boat is then in the shade of the tree you tied it to so you can work in the shade! Two birds with one stone!

 

[Dick Sorensen]

Re: How do I put a boat up on blocks??

In my younger days I worked summers at a real 'hand to mouth' boatyard located in Blue Island (south suburbs of Chicago.) We had to do this all the time because we didn't have lifting equipment.....

Get a bunch of wooden/concrete blocks and long 2 x 8's (wider than the trailer fenders)...and a couple of bottle jacks. Then lift the rear of the trailer and boat just enought to stack acouple of blocks high enough to slip a 2 x 8 across (clearing the top of the trailer components)..then lower the trailer which results in the stern of the boat being higher than the trailer....then move to the bow and repeat....you then pull the trailer out....placing another set of 'safety blocks' under the keel....when ready just move trailer back into position and reverse process....

I think this is a better method than pulling on the rear eye-bolts; gentler on the boat....Oh, once the boat is high enough place a couple of diagonal boards in from each side with additional blocks to stop the boat from rolling onto it's side...We used this procedure to move everything around the yard...hope I have described the procedure so you can consider it...good luck.

 

[dccordell]

Re: How do I put a boat up on blocks??

There are a handful of vids on youtube on how to do this too if you need a little more insight... pretty much the same methods that have been described here already.. looks like most of them just use blocks and floor jacks to lift the trailer/boat and block it up as you pull the trailer away from the boat. Just search youtube...

 

[Guest]

Re: How do I put a boat up on blocks??

WOW thanks guys for all the info! I guess I have my work cut out for me and my buddy. Next week will be the time to get her off her trailer and then I can get the work done a lot easier. Thanks again.

 

[smokeonthewater]

Re: How do I put a boat up on blocks??

OR there is the method I used..... I go to my local marina and borrow/rent 4 boat jacks....... jack up the boat and pull out the trailer

 

[seabob4]

Re: How do I put a boat up on blocks??

As I said, many ways to do it...just be safe, go slow, take your time, be diligent. Damn thing is heavy, you know...

 

[oops!]

Re: How do I put a boat up on blocks??

ok.....ill chime in.....

i do this at least once a day.

use the front trailer jack to lower the front tounge of the trailer as low as it goes.

block up the transom under the "v" of the keel and if you can....block each chine.

raise tounge of trailer all the way up. block keel on the front.
pull trailer as far as you can till your front block hits a crossmember of the trailer.
lower tounge of the trailer.....this will push the boat back up....re block ...and repeat.
on a 22 footer after you get half way...the trailer wont be able to luft the hull so you have to use a stabdard sizzor or bottle jack......if you have a floor jack...its a snap.

we take 30 footers @ 10,000 lbs off trailers this way.

 

[soggy_feet]

Re: How do I put a boat up on blocks??

Easy, go on craigslist, look up Travelift, shell out $10,000, ship it home, assemble, hoist!

(there actually was a disassembled Travelift on c-list in VT recently)

 

[Silverbullet555]

Re: How do I put a boat up on blocks??

Last time I did trailer work, I parked the boat at a marina for a week in a slip and then worked on the trailer.

 

[CheapboatKev]

Re: How do I put a boat up on blocks??

Tied off stern to a tree.
Old tires under each corner of the stern.

Drive forward..
Block bow..
done.

 

[smokeonthewater]

Re: How do I put a boat up on blocks??

Kev, I've done it your way too on smaller boats and it works fine BUT in the future turn your cinder blocks so that the holes are vertical ..... they are 10 times stronger (and safer) that way.