trailer work

[all thumbs]

Any ideas on how to raise your boat to work on the trailer? The obvious is putting it in the water, but the water is real hard right now. Think it can be raised with the three tie down hooks (one at bow and two in stern)? I'am trying to re-do bunks, carpet, wood, etc. thanks

 

[JB]

Re: trailer work

Howdy Thumbs.<br /><br />Piece o' cake.<br /><br />1. Back it up near a tree. <br />2. Tie a rope from stern to the tree. <br />3. Pull the trailer forward a couple of feet. <br />4. Place supports under the boat.<br />5. Repeat steps 3 and 4 until boat is off trailer.<br /><br />Reload the boat later by winching her on just as though you were loading from the water.<br /><br />Good luck.

 

[Mark42]

Re: trailer work

When I put my boat on a new trailer, the bunks needed to be adjusted to fit properly. I did it by using a simple scissor jack between the trailer frame and the boat back by the transom. I lifted the boat just enough to clear one bunk, while the boat rested on the other bunk and front keel rollers. This way the trailer wheels stay on the ground so it can't fall on you.<br /><br />That should give you plenty of work space to remove & replace one bunk at a time.<br /><br />Mark

 

[all thumbs]

Re: trailer work

JB and Mark, thanks, both great ideas! I knew the answer was simpler than the gantry I was going to build.

 

[jlinder]

Re: trailer work

Jack up trailer, support boat, lower trailer. <br /><br />On the other hand I like Mar42's idea. Keeps 1/2 the boat supported on the bunks keeping the weight distributed. Just remember to spread the weight on the scissor jack to protect the hull. A couple of boards should do the trick

 

[cmyers_uk]

Re: trailer work

I made v shaped wood to match the hull and then used a 3 ton car jack to raise the stern of the boat to do the rear bunks.

 

[Silvertip]

Re: trailer work

If you have a garage, head to your local hardware store and by a stout gate hinge. Raise the garage door and lag bolt one end of the hinge to the header. Back your trailer into the garage so the bow eye is in line with the hinge. lower the tongue of the boat and block the back of the boat. Raise the tongue and the rear of the boat will rise off the trailer. Use a small block & tackle or come-along (cable hoise) connected to the bow eye and the hinge to lift the bow of the boat. Obviously the header must be stout enough to support the weight of the bow (about 1/3 the weight of the boat). You can then simply pull the trailer out from under the boat. Use the same process if you have a large tree handy and don't want to tie up the garage stall.

 

[waterone1@aol.com]

Re: trailer work

I realize that quite a few boats on here are smaller fishing boats, this post gave no description of the size or weight of the boat. I for one cannot give any advice without some specifics. What if this guy is talking about a twin inboard that weighs 10,000 lbs. ? By the way, a come along is not intended for, or rated for overhead lifting, sure, common sense say's it would be ok for the bow eye on a 1000 lb 14 foot aluminum hull, but don't get under the boat while it's hanging there. ALL THUMBS, there are alot of things we can "get away with" while doing it ourselves but please, be safe while doing it.

 

[Mark42]

Re: trailer work

Waterone1<br /><br />I bought a 1 ton Sears hoist/come a long to lift the 185 lbs Evinrude on/off the transom. Even though it was rated at 1 ton, I had serious reservations about it's ability to safely handle even 200 lbs. Although it did raise and lower the motor, I never let it just hang in the air unnecessarily. <br /><br />These things just look dangerous.

 

[beezee28]

Re: trailer work

Way back when I inherited a boat with no trailer I have to raise the boat off the ground and onto block of wood so that I can get the trailer underneath. Bought a trailer and first I use a car jack to raise the starboard stern end so that the boat would rest on its keel and the port side stern end would rest on a block. Insert block on the starboard stern end and the whole stern section is off the ground with the front keel resting temperorary. I then jsck up the mid section so that it is above the end of the trailer and once the trailer is in place I hook the winch hook onto the front end eye. I slowly winch in the line and the trailer slowly move backwards until it comes to a stop and move the jack forward and repeat the same. <br />When almost done the boat is resting on the trailer and remove the block from the stern section, and move it forward a bit so that there is enought travel for the trailer to move backward. Eventually I have it done and the boat is seated correctly on the trailer. This is slow and it is effective. Took me alone about 2 hours to do it. I know I can do it again if I have to with a car jack, a few blocks of wood or brick.

 

[Silvertip]

Re: trailer work

If he were attempting to raise one end of a 10,000# boat with come-along, it would have given out long before the boat raised a fraction of an inch. Besides, AllThumbs would need some pretty good sized biceps. Everything in life is a calculated risk. Miscalculate and you might be the guest of honor at an unexpected family gathering (called a funeral). Size the tools to the job and don't lay under anything suspended above you should not really need to be explained.

 

[rwidman]

Re: trailer work

Originally posted by Upinsmoke:<br /> If he were attempting to raise one end of a 10,000# boat with come-along, it would have given out long before the boat raised a fraction of an inch. Besides, AllThumbs would need some pretty good sized biceps. Everything in life is a calculated risk. Miscalculate and you might be the guest of honor at an unexpected family gathering (called a funeral). Size the tools to the job and don't lay under anything suspended above you should not really need to be explained.

But we really don't know his background. We have to assume the worst. And it could be a 10,000 lb I/O or it could be a 12' aluminum jon boat.

 

[waterone1@aol.com]

Re: trailer work

Ok guy's, I get the idea that some of the above sarcasm is directed at me....ok, I can take that.<br />Besides being in the boat repair business, I have been a professional rigger for many years....yes, I hang thousands of pounds of equipment above crowds(100's to 1000's) every day....so I take this stuff seriously. Every year several people die because their sailboats or powerboats fall on them while doing repairs or bottom paint. Maybe they got bad advice....maybe they didn't realize the risk they were taking. All I am saying is Before you advise someone to hang there boat from a tree, or a garage beam....or use a "come along" perhaps having the important information should come to mind. I'm not a "safety marm", but lets know what we are talking about before the "been there, done that" comes out.

 

[Silvertip]

Re: trailer work

No sarcasm intended for you or anyone else here Waterone. I was just trying to inject a little humor but that's the problem with the written word -- it isn't always interpreted that way. The point I was trying to make is that there is only so much one can do to warn people about safety issues and after that mother nature takes over. Many of the people on these boards are shade tree mechanics and take pride in their abilities and have the moxy to figure things out if given a suggestion. Unfortunately, there are other wanna be's that should not be attempting certain tasks because they simply can't figure things out. Remember the warnings about not using a bumper jack when working under your car? Didn't stop some people did it. Others simply said ok and instead used the equally dangerous screw type sissor jack with the same outcome. I suggested one method for lifting the boat -- its up to the reader to make sure equipment is up to the task. Just to let you know I'm not immune from accidents, I once had a heavy duty jack stand collapse while working on a vehicle. Was one of four (each rated for 4,000#) on which a 3800# collector car positioned. Looks like about a 12000# reserve huh! A bad weld on one of the legs caused the collapse and I was pinned against the wall as the car pivoted forward. Like I said -- life is a calculated risk. Miscalculate and stuff happens.

 

[all thumbs]

Re: trailer work

The boat is a 16ft. Lund with 50hp. Honda. I do like several of the ideas that were given. Not wanting to work on my back under the boat I think I like the idea of removing the trailer best. Doing farm work earlier in my life has taught me respect for doing things safely. I thank you for your concerns on those matters.I'am not really what my nickname applys "all thumbs" except when I had to change a diaper on one of the kids. On another note, sure was glad to come across this site. I find the people here very informative and knowledgeble, thanks again everyone .

 

[Silvertip]

Re: trailer work

Hey All Thumbs -- were are you in Wisconsin? I went to high school in Medford but grew up in Stetsonville. If you farmed I know you are not "all thumbs" and know about safety. Probably one of the most dangerous occupations there is. Nothing more dangerous than being around a power takeoff eh? (or being in the same pen as a bull!!!)

 

[all thumbs]

Re: trailer work

Walworth area. Starting the hay bailer with pto was always a accident looking to happen. The bull was nice but could never turn your back on the "billy"!