boat guides on trailer rotted and broke

[markn88]

So yesterday on mother's day we took the boat out for a short run on the river by my house. The launch was ok but we had trouble getting the boat back onto the trailer since the launch ramp was perpendicular to the current on the river. When we finally got it on and out if the water one of the carpeted guides had just completely rotted and fell off and I saw my boat hull sitting on the metal France of the trailer. So after getting it home safe I now need to replace those guides. How do I lift the boat off my trailer while it being in my back yard .... I also can't re launch and fix it while its in the water because if the boat doesn't come right off the first try I could put a hole in hull.. so any suggestions on how to lift it. I only need about 2 mins per side to screw new guides in ...

 

[Huron Angler]

Re: boat guides on trailer rotted and broke

Hardwood trees and chain pulley, or maybe a few stout winch straps like truckers use.

I'm assuming the boat is fiberglass? Aluminum would be easy to lift, empty the boat of all gear, seats, etc.

 

[jeeperman]

Re: boat guides on trailer rotted and broke

Howcome you need the boat off in order to replace the wood on the guides?

 

[Huron Angler]

Re: boat guides on trailer rotted and broke

Howcome you need the boat off in order to replace the wood on the guides?

He meant to say "boat BUNKS on trailer rotted and broke" I think.

 

[markn88]

Re: boat guides on trailer rotted and broke

yes well im new to boating and dont know all the terms yet . this is my first boat and first launch i had. i did mean the bunks. i kinda looked around and it seems like people are saying to put blocks on the back (transom) but still need to know how to jack the front

 

[craze1cars]

Re: boat guides on trailer rotted and broke

We have no idea how large or heavy this boat is...but I have changed many bunks under typical 18 and 20 ft boats by just using a bottle jack or two, or a floor jack or two.

It's easiest and most predictable if you can fit a jack in-between the trailer frame and the hull, distribute the load with another board on the bottom of the hull. Just jack and lift, do one side of the boat at a time while most of the weight of the boat still rests on the opposite bunks. Always be aware of where you're putting your arms/hands/head on the jack side....a possible slip risks losing a limb!

Jacking the boat up from the floor is possible too, but less predictable and IMO more dangerous. Trailers roll easily, tires/springs slowly relieve and can cause a shift. This is why I prefer jacking between trailer and hull when possible...it's far more stable.

As already stated, a large tree and properly sized overhead winch/pulley can do the trick as well, but some cleats and eyes are NOT designed for lifting the weight of an entire boat...and if one pulls out causing a crash to the ground you will probably total the boat, and someone may die in the process....if we had any concept of how large or small this boat is, it would make it easier to make more specific recommendations.

 

[markn88]

Re: boat guides on trailer rotted and broke

 

[markn88]

Re: boat guides on trailer rotted and broke

 

[markn88]

Re: boat guides on trailer rotted and broke

We have no idea how large or heavy this boat is...but I have changed many bunks under typical 18 and 20 ft boats by just using a bottle jack or two, or a floor jack or two.

It's easiest and most predictable if you can fit a jack in-between the trailer frame and the hull, distribute the load with another board on the bottom of the hull. Just jack and lift, do one side of the boat at a time while most of the weight of the boat still rests on the opposite bunks. Always be aware of where you're putting your arms/hands/head on the jack side....a possible slip risks losing a limb!

Jacking the boat up from the floor is possible too, but less predictable and IMO more dangerous. Trailers roll easily, tires/springs slowly relieve and can cause a shift. This is why I prefer jacking between trailer and hull when possible...it's far more stable.

As already stated, a large tree and properly sized overhead winch/pulley can do the trick as well, but some cleats and eyes are NOT designed for lifting the weight of an entire boat...and if one pulls out causing a crash to the ground you will probably total the boat, and someone may die in the process....if we had any concept of how large or small this boat is, it would make it easier to make more specific recommendations.

its 18 feet and im not really sure on the weight its fiberglass and the interior and motor dont really com out as its not a bass boat the pictures are of the size and how the boat is resting on the trailer

 

[craze1cars]

Re: boat guides on trailer rotted and broke

Pics help. If it were me, I'd do 1 of 2 things:

1. Float the boat off. You won't damage it...just back in the water nice and deep and it'll float harmlessly off.

2. It doesn't look like you have enough clearance to squeeze a jack between frame and hull on the collapsed side. So if you're absolutely bent on doing it at home on the driveway, just jack up the collapsed side from the ground. First chock all trailer wheels in all directions and hitch the trailer and set parking brake to a vehicle so NOTHING can move. A single normal 2 ton floor jack will be more than enough to handle 1/2 the weight of that boat, just set it approximately near or slightly behind the right wheel/axle (most of the weight of that boat is at the rear 1/4) and distribute load along the hull with maybe a 4 foot long 2x4 in a crook of the hull where it won't slip out. Might need to set the jack on a large stable platform to get it high enough to reach (think of setting the jack on top of a stack of maybe 3 or 4 2x12's screwed together or similar...do NOT use those concrete blocks I see you have laying around...they could shatter).

After the collapsed side is jacked up (do this with all of your body parts OUT from under the boat), now stack a bunch of boards between the frame and the hull in various places as a safety...just in case the jack slips out. With safety catchers in place, you can now work under the boat in relative safety. Slip the old bunk out of there and put the new one in place.

After new bunk is in place, set it down, now you can move the jack to the opposite side of the boat and jack up the other side and replace that bunk too, to prevent a recurrance.

 

[seaboo]

Re: boat guides on trailer rotted and broke

If you lower the front of the trailer, Block up (use boards to support, however) the back of the boat. Raise the front of the trailer-as much as you need- (viola, back of the boat is now off the trailer and on the "cradle" you are using). Block up the front of the boat and lower the front of the trailer (and viola the boat is on blocks (cradle whatever) and off the bunks.

 

[rrhodes]

Re: boat guides on trailer rotted and broke

+1 on floating the boat off the trailer. Measure, cut the new bunks, float the boat and install.

 

[markn88]

Re: boat guides on trailer rotted and broke

+1 on floating the boat off the trailer. Measure, cut the new bunks, float the boat and install.

Don't you think the metal parts run the risk of puncturing my hull.. the pictures show it resting on bare metal ....

 

[markn88]

Re: boat guides on trailer rotted and broke

If you lower the front of the trailer, Block up (use boards to support, however) the back of the boat. Raise the front of the trailer-as much as you need- (viola, back of the boat is now off the trailer and on the "cradle" you are using). Block up the front of the boat and lower the front of the trailer (and viola the boat is on blocks (cradle whatever) and off the bunks.

I like this I think I'm going to try this ... Ok now next I was considering using pvc boards that are 2x5 and carpet those for bunks . At menards they feel very study and won't rot...what does you guys suggest

 

[craze1cars]

Re: boat guides on trailer rotted and broke

How could removing the weight of the boat by floating it puncture the hull??

If 100% of the weight is now sitting on the metal, AND the hull survived towing it home that way, and it's STILL not punctured? Then gently removing the weight by sinking the trailer and floating the boat sure as heck isn't gonna hurt it...other than the fact that you have to tow it again to get it to the ramp. That won't do it any favors...

Floating the boat off is IMO the safest and least likely to damage/collapse anything suggested so far...but with care, any of the ideas will safely work.

 

[craze1cars]

Re: boat guides on trailer rotted and broke

I like this I think I'm going to try this ... Ok now next I was considering using pvc boards that are 2x5 and carpet those for bunks . At menards they feel very study and won't rot...what does you guys suggest

Treated lumber is cheaper. And will outlast the rest of the trailer. And will bite the lag screws better (unless you are planning to bolt-thru and countersink carriage bolts, etc.)

 

[markn88]

Re: boat guides on trailer rotted and broke

How could removing the weight of the boat by floating it puncture the hull??

If 100% of the weight is now sitting on the metal, AND the hull survived towing it home that way, and it's STILL not punctured? Then gently removing the weight by sinking the trailer and floating the boat sure as heck isn't gonna hurt it...other than the fact that you have to tow it again to get it to the ramp. That won't do it any favors...

Floating the boat off is IMO the safest and least likely to damage/collapse anything suggested so far...but with care, any of the ideas will safely work.

I meant driving back to the launch on the metal would puncture it not taking the weight off

 

[markn88]

Re: boat guides on trailer rotted and broke

Treated lumber is cheaper. And will outlast the rest of the trailer. And will bite the lag screws better (unless you are planning to bolt-thru and countersink carriage bolts, etc.)

Ok treated lumber then and I think with just screws ... If I make the bunks wider like having more surface for the boat to make contact with. Will that make it easier to center the boat when bringing it back in off the water at the boat launch

 

[Art Bernard]

Re: boat guides on trailer rotted and broke

Ok, if your gonna do it in your driveway, get 3 GOOD hydraulic jacks, plenty of 4x4 wood blocks and make sure it's on level ground. This is dangerous but can be done. Place the jacks in a triangle pattern than block up to your hull. Make sure you have placed them so as the hull will be balanced when lifted. For the rear 2 jacks, try to get as far back and outboard as you can for stability. Chock the trailer. If you have to stack the blocks make sure to stack them evanly and that everything is centered. Start jacking your boat going from jack to jack so as to bring her up evanly. Once she is up be very careful not to bump her. Only take her high enough to do the work, don't get carried away with the jacking. Keep all children and well wishers far away. When your done, let the bow down first, than the stern (both jacks) at the same time slowly. You may want to do this with your tow vehicle attached to keep the trailer from moving on you. I've jacked boats like this before and while dangerous is doable if you plan carefully and are cautious. Personally, I'd go for the water launch and repair. Have someone good on the lines and make a steady, smooth launch and you should be good to go.

Art

 

[jeeperman]

Re: boat guides on trailer rotted and broke

Take the old lag bolts out and get new ones (hot dip galvanized.
Get the new bunk ready to install and set it on the frame next to those uprights.
Use two or three quality 2x4's or 2x6's on edge and two or three brutes to help lever lift that side of the boat up off the bunk supports.
You only have to rock it off the supports by 2" and then slip the new bunk in right where you want it to end up.
Lower the boat onto the new bunk.
Install lag bolts.
Make dang sure you do not pilot drill too deep and that the new lag bolts are not too long!.