from the grass to a trailer ... help!

[73 Dolphin]

What is the best way to get a boat from off the grass and on to a trailer?

It has two 4x4s under the jet drive and landscape lumber under the bow.
Wieghs 1400 lbs.

Thanks !

 

[BigJ08]

Re: from the grass to a trailer ... help!

A pic would help a lot. Without seeing a picture i would suggest jacking the boat up somehow and backing the trailer up under it.

 

[73 Dolphin]

Re: from the grass to a trailer ... help!

I'm picking up the trailer tonight. Will add a link to some pics when I get it home. Thanks.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: from the grass to a trailer ... help!

just like you would do at the ramp. tilt the trailer so the bow roller is under the boat, connect strap, and start cranking. all the time putting pressure on the tongue, so the trailer back does not dig into the ground. the trailer will roll right under the boat.

 

[Nova II 260]

Re: from the grass to a trailer ... help!

If it is a bunk trailer you might want to lube the bunks with some spray teflon, Pam or WD40 or ?? ....at least wet them down with water..things will slide much easier.

 

[HAV2FISH]

Re: from the grass to a trailer ... help!

just like you would do at the ramp. tilt the trailer so the bow roller is under the boat, connect strap, and start cranking. all the time putting pressure on the tongue, so the trailer back does not dig into the ground. the trailer will roll right under the boat.


And get friends to help push from the back of the boat.

 

[wire2]

Re: from the grass to a trailer ... help!

IF it's a roller trailer, no prob, it will roll on easily. I've pushed my 19' V8 I/O off and on the grass to work on the trailer BUT, a bunk is not as easy, unless the boat is very light.

I've seen people struggle trying to get a boat centered on bunks, usually end up rolling all back into the water to float the boat.

2 layers of heavy plastic (6 mill house vapor barrier) over the bunks wetted between with dishwashing soap will lube it as well as it's gonna get. The lower one will stick to the bunk, the upper to the boat.

 

[reelfishin]

Re: from the grass to a trailer ... help!

I normally disconnect the trailer from the tow vehicle, align the boat and trailer, jack the bow up as high as needed to hit the lead rollers and connect the winch cable or strap.
If it's a roller trailer, just start cranking while guiding the trailer under the boat, if it's a bunk trailer, I spray the carpet bunks with silicone spray or dish soap.
It's easier than you would think. I've done this with boats up to 24' with no real problems.

 

[bailey]

Re: from the grass to a trailer ... help!

I have done this a few times. With the help of my son I'm able to lieft the front of my up, my son then pushes the trailer (bunk type) under the front of the boat, as far as he is able to "jam it". The boat drops down onto the trailer, this forces the "tongue" of the trailer to riseup,I then then start winching the boat onto the trailer (actually the boat doesn't move, the boat stands still,the trailer is actually pulled under the boat) You'll come to a point where the trailer and boat are balancing on one another. My son and I lean on the trailer while continuing winching,"voila" the boats own weight pushes the trailer to the ground,at which time we winch the boat to the front of the trailer. Takes about 10 miunutes. (18' ski boat 140 johnson o/b)

Bailey

 

[bailey]

Re: from the grass to a trailer ... help!

I have done this a few times. With the help of my son I'm able to lift the front of mine up, my son then pushes the trailer (bunk type) under the front of the boat, as far as he is able to "jam it". The boat drops down onto the trailer, this forces the "tongue" of the trailer to riseup,I then then start winching the boat onto the trailer (actually the boat doesn't move, the boat stands still,the trailer is actually pulled under the boat) You'll come to a point where the trailer and boat are balancing on one another. My son and I lean on the trailer while continuing winching,"voila" the boats own weight pushes the trailer to the ground,at which time we winch the boat to the front of the trailer. Takes about 10 miunutes. (18' ski boat 140 johnson o/b)

Bailey

 

[hankll]

Re: from the grass to a trailer ... help!

Yea, what they said. I reworked my trailer after I bought my ProCraft 19'6" with a 150 Suzuki hanging on it. I did not however put plastic or dish soap or silicone spray on the bunks. My bunks were dry carpeted. My winch cable was hooked to the bow eye, and it came up the trailer or rather the trailer went under the boat. No problem.

 

[mthieme]

Re: from the grass to a trailer ... help!

just like you would do at the ramp. tilt the trailer so the bow roller is under the boat, connect strap, and start cranking. all the time putting pressure on the tongue, so the trailer back does not dig into the ground. the trailer will roll right under the boat.

That is not going to do his jetdrive any favors.

 

[73 Dolphin]

Re: from the grass to a trailer ... help!

Thanks for all of the advice. It seems that it will be a lot easier than it looks.
I haven't gotten around to it yet as there were some title issues that i had to sort out first and also I am trying to fix the trim tilt on my force 125 on the dolphin 20'.

The title issue is now sorted out and as soon as the the weekend comes I'll get it done as I prefer to be able to see what I am doing and the nights are dark early.

I will jack up the back and block up to stop the jet drive from getting buried, which from what I have read here will work as the trailer slides under the boat and not visa-versa.

I have given up on trying to remove the main tilt body bolt from the dolphin and will just try to find a way to attach the one hose to the ram and save a further headache! ( tried WD40 , heat, PB blaster and prayer over 3 weeks or so - but it's not coming off!!!)