Switching trailers in my garage with DIY lift

[Jimmy Starcraft]

Hey Everyone,
Have a question I would love some feedback on. I want to lift my 16 foot Starcraft boat (motor off) that weighs about 6 to 700 pounds. I built a diy gantry crain that took the motor off no problem. Now I need to switch trailers and am thinking I can lift the back of the boat with the crain and if I build another smaller crain for the bow I can suspend the whole boat in my garage and switch trailers.

Im trying to figure out the best way to set it up. Do I add a rope hoist on the corners with a sling underneath or do I use the same chain hoist I removed the motor with using a 2x4 spreader. My concern is squeezing the hull and damaging the boat. Ive started to restore it and have gutted it some but the transom is still in. Whats the best advice for getting this trailer swap done.

Thanks a ton in advance

 

[airshot]

Don't see any ussues, but as always, go slow and use caution !! I have done this a few times, and used as engine hoist to lift the front with the bow eye with no problems. Be carefull...we don't want to see any injuries !!

 

[HoosierHacker89]

I looked hard into doing this, but realized my local ramp is 10 minutes away. I just took my old trailer and my mew trailer down to the river with my buddy. We dunked both trailers and swapped boats. Whole process took less than an hour. I had 2 smaller aluminum boats like this.

 

[Mc Tool]

Last time I did this ...tied stern to a tree and drag trailer out from underneath ( I landed it on some old tires ) and then line up new trailer and winch trailer back under boat . You could substitute the tree with something in the shed , perhaps use gantry to take some weight off the rear ( heavy end ) of boat. No one gets squashed ,nothing collapses . Actually not that hard to do . I have done this a few times .

 

[matt167]

Slide the boat back onto a stack of tires. Then all you gotta do is lift the bow up to clear the trailer. Pull it out. Put new trailer under it as far as you can and crank it into place

 

[Mc Tool]

Slide the boat back onto a stack of tires. Then all you gotta do is lift the bow up to clear the trailer. Pull it out. Put new trailer under it as far as you can and crank it into place

Wow , thats a good idea ....wish Id thought of that

 

[Jimmy Starcraft]

Thanks for all the quick replies, its given me some options. Im far away from any launches so garage is the only option I have. Makes sense to support the back, I will have to get some old tires if I go that route but its probably better and probably safer than just suspending it. Will be really glad when this switch is done. I post what I do. Thanks

 

[Mc Tool]

Doesnt have to be tires , something that can be slid under the axle is good but if your only lowering the boat down and not sliding it around on the floor even some layers of cardboard will do ....just enough to stop the hull from crunching on the floor .

 

[Jimmy Starcraft]

Thx Mc, I was thinking of building a crib to rest the back of the boat on under the transom then using my crain to lift the bow allowing me to swap trailers. Ive seen some youtube videos where they lift it from the front bow eye but not convinced I think i might use a sling under the bow. Any idea how far apart my trailer bunks should be on a 73 Starcraft SS 16?

 

[Chris1956]

Gee, my 16 foot speedboat is about 600# w/o motor. I dropped it on the ground, motor and all when I needed to fix the trailer. Of course, it is built real strong.

Another time, the axle broke coming home from the ramp. I dropped it on the grass next to the road, went home and got my other trailer and retrieved it, from the side of the road.

 

[redneck joe]

Gee, my 16 foot speedboat is about 600# w/o motor. I dropped it on the ground, motor and all when I needed to fix the trailer. Of course, it is built real strong.

Another time, the axle broke coming home from the ramp. I dropped it on the grass next to the road, went home and got my other trailer and retrieved it, from the side of the road.

i love stories like that

 

[redneck joe]

Last time I did this ...tied stern to a tree and drag trailer out from underneath ( I landed it on some old tires ) and then line up new trailer and winch trailer back under boat . You could substitute the tree with something in the shed , perhaps use gantry to take some weight off the rear ( heavy end ) of boat. No one gets squashed ,nothing collapses . Actually not that hard to do . I have done this a few times .

here is my 16' lone star sitting for a few days in my front yard. We lived ona fairly busy road, lots of looks at the crazy man for that week....

 

[Jimmy Starcraft]

Lone Star is a fitting name looking at that picture sitting on the front lawn lol

 

[racerone]

A stack of tires and a 1 ton ( for your boat ) jack is all that is needed.-----Took a 30' boat off the trailer by myself that way.----No helpers / cranes needed.