Transporting a 20' boat on a flatbed.

[vroom ZOOM]

Hello

I got another boat... it was too good a deal to pass . No trailer on it tho. The boat is pretty far from me, so now I have 2 things:

A boat without a trailer (2010 alumacraft 205 trophy)
A flatbed truck that will pick it up.

Question is: what is the best way to put the boat on the flatbed? Or should I not do this at all? Was thinking of doing something like this:

 

[Grub54891]

Flatbed would be fine, just put pine blocks under the keel, on each side to keep it from shifting side to side, screwed down. And some blocks at the transom on each side to keep it level, a couple more up front at the windshield area to help. The straps should be under the handrails to avoid crushing them. you are essentially building a cradle to transport.

 

[bruceb58]

I would only do this if you don't care if this boat is ever going to be seaworthy again....if it's a parts boat.

That picture you posted just happens to be a picture of a service that hauls boats to the dump...it's pretty appropriate.

 

[roscoe]

A lot of damage can be done just loading the boat on the trailer.

It can be done, but special care in loading, bracing, and strapping is needed.

I would only use an experienced boat hauler, with plenty of insurance.
Take lots of photos before loading, and after loading onto the trailer.

Better yet, let it sit where it is and buy or rent a boat trailer for it. You
are going to need one anyway.

 

[Scott06]

Hello

I got another boat... it was too good a deal to pass . No trailer on it tho. The boat is pretty far from me, so now I have 2 things:

A boat without a trailer (2010 alumacraft 205 trophy)
A flatbed truck that will pick it up.

Question is: what is the best way to put the boat on the flatbed? Or should I not do this at all? Was thinking of doing something like this:
View attachment 355214

Depends on what yo intend to do with the boat afterwards. If you are parting it out just winch it on . If you intend to fix it Id try to use round fence posts etc as rollers to pull it on. Another option is to jack it up, put cribbing and cross bracing such that trailer can back under it to be let down or lift it via a chain fall and tree.

 

[ahicks]

I wouldn't do it at all. I've learned you never buy ANYTHING without touching it first. Not a chance, no exceptions.

That in mind, if you're serious about this boat, I would buy a trailer for it locally, and new trailer in tow, go have a look at the boat with the idea you'll be pulling it back on your trailer - IF - it passes your inspection.

This assumes the seller can even sell the boat legally. Is the boat in the sellers name only? You want to avoid stuff like a husband AND wife must sign - in case she doesn't want to sign as in the case of a nasty divorce. Or have the boat ownership showing as some corporation or partnership. Bottom line, before getting much invested in this deal, you want PROOF that the paperwork is in order before you do anything. The boat is nearly useless without good paperwork. A request for a picture of the title or registration is not out of line....

 

[JimS123]

Hello

I got another boat... it was too good a deal to pass . No trailer on it tho. The boat is pretty far from me, so now I have 2 things:

A boat without a trailer (2010 alumacraft 205 trophy)
A flatbed truck that will pick it up.

Question is: what is the best way to put the boat on the flatbed? Or should I not do this at all? Was thinking of doing something like this:
View attachment 355214

First of all, a deal that is too good to pass up is usually a deal that you should run from.

Secondly, if the boat is in good condition, you will need a trailer to use it, so why not buy one beforehand and get it set up so that it will be hauled without damage.

Thirdly, hauling a boat on a flatbed is what you do to go to the dumps. So yah, don't do it at all.

Finally, what does the word "tho" mean?

 

[Scott Danforth]

buy trailer. put boat on trailer. put boat and trailer on flat bed

or build cradle and secure it to flatbed, use travelift to load boat onto cradle that is secured to flatbed, use travelift to unload flatbed.

I wouldnt just put a boat on a flatbed unless its a junk boat.

 

[vroom ZOOM]

I wouldn't do it at all. I've learned you never buy ANYTHING without touching it first. Not a chance, no exceptions.

That in mind, if you're serious about this boat, I would buy a trailer for it locally, and new trailer in tow, go have a look at the boat with the idea you'll be pulling it back on your trailer - IF - it passes your inspection.

This assumes the seller can even sell the boat legally. Is the boat in the sellers name only? You want to avoid stuff like a husband AND wife must sign - in case she doesn't want to sign as in the case of a nasty divorce. Or have the boat ownership showing as some corporation or partnership. Bottom line, before getting much invested in this deal, you want PROOF that the paperwork is in order before you do anything. The boat is nearly useless without good paperwork. A request for a picture of the title or registration is not out of line....

Paperwork just came to me in the mail...

Besides, when you are in the snag-a-deal business, then there is no opportunity to look in person. Ever. good news is that the paperwork in the places I buy from is always legit. These are big companies.

 

[vroom ZOOM]

First of all, a deal that is too good to pass up is usually a deal that you should run from.

Secondly, if the boat is in good condition, you will need a trailer to use it, so why not buy one beforehand and get it set up so that it will be hauled without damage.

Thirdly, hauling a boat on a flatbed is what you do to go to the dumps. So yah, don't do it at all.

Finally, what does the word "tho" mean?

Nahh... I guess I buy a different kind of boat than you guys. I will do a build thread on one of my boat ventures someday. This was an auction deal. The guy selling it is really pissed that I got it cheap. Like REALLY PISSED. I heard the engine run etc also before buying.

But... you may have a point. Probably no one purchased it because the owner of the place where it is stored is terrible to deal with and uncooperative.

and "tho" - short for "though"

 

[vroom ZOOM]

First, thank you everyone for your advice. Now time for a little story, aka what to do and what not to do.

The boat is in detroit. I am near Toronto. So basically I can't cross the border to pick it up.

The next logical step would be to find someone to bring it. I found this guy with a flatbed, and he went over to pick it up. I paid $1000 for a 64km trip, from windsor to detroit. No other options. The a-hole selling the boat also had a trailer, but he wanted 4k US for it. I can get a brand new one here for 3k CDN, and with his trailer, I would need to do RIV, and tons of expensive paperwork. 5k CDN easy. I figured therefore that I would get away better with the flatbed and pay some more. I found a nice trailer for it for 1200 on my side too.

Yesterday the yard owner tells me he wants it gone tomorrow morning, before the snow hits. This was the start of bad luck. I was going to go for friday, but the owner rudely let me know that he wasn't going to shovel snow. I pressed my transporter and he left for detroit immediately. In the morning, he arrived at the boat pick up location. Local towing company said they would lift it up off the trailer it was on and put it on a flatbed. my guy waited 2 hrs there, only to get a call that the towing co decided they don't want to do it.

I managed to find a crane co with a 30 ton crane to lift it. after waiting 2 more hours, the crane arrived. They went to lift it, and a boat that was supposed to weigh 3000 lbs tipped the scale at over 4000. My transporter guy said it was overweight at this point, and left empty. seems like the bilge was full of wet snow/ice. Another stupid. and $1600 down the toilet.

Now that I read your comments, I feel a little better. Maybe a dodged a bullet not loading that thing on the flatbed while full of ice. It has very nice paint too, so I would hate to scratch that.

so not much advice here, except for don't be a looser... and DON'T DEAL WITH THAT GUY EVER! dunno if I should call him out here...

 

[wooky30014]

Good luck to ya with getting it across the border. Me, I'll look at a ton of pictures, even listen to it run on a video but bottom line is I'd rather go and put my hands on whatever I'm buying then when the paperwork is signed and sealed either drive it away or in the case of my new boat, tow it home. I have a 2nd boat trailer, for up to 20ft, at the moment, but it needs tires in order to carry anything

 

[bruceb58]

The boat is in detroit. I am near Toronto. So basically I can't cross the border to pick it up.

Why? I know many people crossing back and forth. You aren't allowed to bring it back yourself?

 

[vroom ZOOM]

Why? I know many people crossing back and forth. You aren't allowed to bring it back yourself?

Im not allowed to go over the border due to health reasons. lets not get into the political and health and covid stuff here....

 

[vroom ZOOM]

Ok, one more thing. I'm looking at a nice bunk trailer, but my only concern is that it has only two bunks like this:

It also has keel rollers. I am concerned whether that is enough support for an aluminum boat. My the trailer for my lund has much wider bunks, made of board lying flat to the hull, not perpendicular. So will a setup like this work or not?

Thanks.

 

[bruceb58]

Ok, one more thing. I'm looking at a nice bunk trailer, but my only concern is that it has only two bunks like this: View attachment 355407

It also has keel rollers. I am concerned whether that is enough support for an aluminum boat. My the trailer for my lund has much wider bunks, made of board lying flat to the hull, not perpendicular. So will a setup like this work or not?

Thanks.

Send that picture to an Alumacraft dealer and ask them.

Typically, you want the bunks under where the stringers are.

 

[Scott06]

Ok, one more thing. I'm looking at a nice bunk trailer, but my only concern is that it has only two bunks like this: View attachment 355407

It also has keel rollers. I am concerned whether that is enough support for an aluminum boat. My the trailer for my lund has much wider bunks, made of board lying flat to the hull, not perpendicular. So will a setup like this work or not?

Thanks.

That is the same set up I have on my magic tilt for my 21 ft Sea ray except I have carpeted bunks up front. See no reason as long as size and spacing is reasonably ok that that wont work for what you are doing.

 

[racerone]

I know of a shop in Ontario.-----Lots of project boats in the yard.----Basically free to take away at your leisure.

 

[vroom ZOOM]

I know of a shop in Ontario.-----Lots of project boats in the yard.----Basically free to take away at your leisure.

did you post on the right thread?

 

[vroom ZOOM]

I know of a shop in Ontario.-----Lots of project boats in the yard.----Basically free to take away at your leisure.

if they are 2010 or newer im interested...