Painting trailer - dry docking boat

[MDfreeboat]

Recently obtained free boat/motor/trailer Boat and motor ok, trailer in desperate need of attention... This is my first boat so I'm a new with everything.. the Boat is a 17' fiber glass. I would like to remove the boat to paint trailer.. <br />Is it ok to unload boat in yard?? <br />Is this going to cause problems to reload??(it has a manual wench)<br />Should place the boat atop anything???<br />Should I leave the motor (75 horses) on boat??<br /><br />I have read up on painting the trailer and feel comfortable.. Any advise would be great.

 

[MDfreeboat]

Re: Painting trailer - dry docking boat

By the way I have read the other postings similar to this.. My father insists the redneck method of tying to a tree works.. I don't have imediate access to water to float it a couple of days.. I'm western MD and there are no marina's.. I was going to try the tire and jack stand idea.. <br />I do have access to Engine jack.. should I remove outboard first??<br /><br />I guess I'm looking for the nerve....

 

[foxjohnc03]

Re: Painting trailer - dry docking boat

Whatever you do, TAKE OFF THE OUTBOARD FIRST. I am not a fan of the tree method because I ruined a good trailer that way. The weight of the boat went on one side of the trailer and it bent the right beam after the axle. Now I have to find myself a good used trailer. Whenever I have to work on my trailer I use this method. Lower the tongue of the trailer to the ground. Put concrete blocks under the back end of the boat until they touch the underside of the boat. Lift the tongue and hook it to your hitch. It will lift the back of the boat off. Be sure to unhook your winch strap. Slowly pull forward, the boat should slowly slide off. Put more blocks along the length of the boat for support. The boat should sit on the blocks well and will allow you to work on your trailer.

 

[n0ukf]

Re: Painting trailer - dry docking boat

Concrete blocks, ok, but I would put wood blocks or almost anything else softer than concrete between them and the hull to protect the finish.

 

[FreeBeeTony]

Re: Painting trailer - dry docking boat

I too would like to take my boat off the trailer. It's a '78 20' Grady White. I have already done the part of getting the stern on blocks but am afraid of "pulling " the trailer out from underneath. I am afraid it will fall off the blocks. And how about getting it back on the trailer? That seems even harder!

 

[ndemge]

Re: Painting trailer - dry docking boat

Find a neighbor with a "cement pond"

 

[ndemge]

Re: Painting trailer - dry docking boat

When you live where I do... This gets a bit easier.... See below picture, from when I changed to a new trailer.<br /><br />Link is for all the pictures of the change...<br /><br /> http://www.emgebros.com/noel/boatpics/ <br /><br />

 

[n0ukf]

Re: Painting trailer - dry docking boat

In fact, we used the above (blocks) method to change trailers under a 19' Thompson wood boat. But for the forward end, we used a piece of 1' conveyor belt as a sling under the hull supported by vertical 2x6s on either side and triangle-braced with 2x4s to keep it from swaying. Not sure now if we took pics of that process.