Garaging

[bones774]

Maybe i'm in wrong thread but let's see.
I'm pretty new to boating and trailering and live in the NE with some snow expected in winter.
My boat is outside wrapped now but I have a pretty unused garage space i would prefer to store boat in and be able to work on in winter but it won't fit while on trailer. I have been thinking of different ways to get the boat in garage w/o trailer and most ideas I have entail quite alot of work. Does anyone have a problem like this that they have solved. Is there some commercially available skid type setup?
Thanks

 

[bitterboater]

Re: Garaging

Bones, you are very much in the right place for your question.

What we first need to have, in order to give the best advice is the Following.
What kind of boat is it Alum\Fibergass?
Is it a Deep-V, Semi deep-v, Flat bottom?
How long is it 12', 14', 16', longer?
How much space is available?
How use able is\are the ceiling joists\rafters?

The more information the better, as that will usually lead to the correct answer in itself.

 

[bones774]

Re: Garaging

It is a fiberglass 1988 Cobalt 22BR, i think it's considered deep V.
Garage has standard 7'6" door height, end wall is a 16foot wide double door and there is a single wide door 90deg from the double wide.
The rafters are fully exposed, and since you mentioned rafters I should point out the Cobalt has lifting rings front and rear( I think I see something here).
also the garage doors are 4 panel residential that raise and go up and over your head when lifted, so the first 5 feet or so of rafters are blocked by garage door.
I believe the weight of boat is 3500, before any thing else is added.
Maybe even boat with trailer but w/o trailer wheels?
Lets see what kinda ideas happen.
Thanks

 

[MRS]

Re: Garaging

One of my friends use to back the trailer in at a angle and had a folding tonuge on the trailer worked good. Trailer was longer than garage but fit great when done this way........

 

[bones774]

Re: Garaging

plenty of room in garage, the problem is height of boat on trailer will not go into garage.

 

[tractoman]

Re: Garaging

How close are you? Can you air the tires down to get it inside and then air up again. Not great on the tires though.

 

[steven_p]

Re: Garaging

What about removing the wheels altogether and (SAFELY) securing heavy duty rollers (similar to what riggers use to move heavy machinery) to the frame of the trailer?

 

[bones774]

Re: Garaging

What about removing the wheels altogether and (SAFELY) securing heavy duty rollers (similar to what riggers use to move heavy machinery) to the frame of the trailer?

I had thought of this, but safely is the question. I was just wondering if anyone had the same experience.

 

[steven_p]

Re: Garaging

One thing to keep in mind is machinery rollers typically require a very smooth surface - they do not handle irregular surfaces very well and the last thing you'd want is to knock the trailer off the rollers trying to bounce it over a threshold. If you have a smooth surface in your garage and leading up to it, then it's something to look into IMO.

Another thing to consider would be making your own dollies with casters that are rated to handle the weight. This would require a well thought out design (and possibly an experienced welder).

 

[Silvertip]

Re: Garaging

My pontoon boat was bit too high for my garage so as an interim workaround, I bought 8-inch wheels without tires. Placed 2x4's on the floor to work as wooden railroad tracks and in she went. I have since installed a taller door so that is no longer an issue. In your case I assume the windshield is too high -- right or wrong???? if that's the case, drop the tongue jack all the way down which may provide the clearance you need.

 

[bones774]

Re: Garaging

My pontoon boat was bit too high for my garage so as an interim workaround, I bought 8-inch wheels without tires. Placed 2x4's on the floor to work as wooden railroad tracks and in she went. I have since installed a taller door so that is no longer an issue. In your case I assume the windshield is too high -- right or wrong???? if that's the case, drop the tongue jack all the way down which may provide the clearance you need.

Yes windshield is too high. When installing taller door that entailed quite a bit of labor and engineering? new headers??
wheels w/o tires sounds pretty good, i'm gonna have to measure to the inch.