Getting my 28 ft boat off of my trailer in my yard

[ske11y]

I was wondering if anyone could tell me the best way to a 28 ft boat off of a trailer. Ive heard about tying the boat to a tree and pulling the trailer up a few feet at a time while blocking it. Is this the best and easiest way? What all do i need for this ? and how do i get it done without damaging the boat?
Thanks in advance

 

[Bondo]

Re: Getting my 28 ft boat off of my trailer in my yard

Ayuh,... That's a pretty BIG boat to be doin' that...

It'll take a Ton of Blocking....

Block the transom corners to hold it stable, 'n upright...
Then lots of blocking along the keel...
Once the trailer is out of the way, block the outside chines, where it shoulders into the bow...

 

[Yacht Dr.]

Re: Getting my 28 ft boat off of my trailer in my yard

There are plenty of threads on how to do this.. but yea a 28 footer is a big momma to be doing this as a first timer.

Why do you need this off the trailer ?

YD.

 

[arks]

Re: Getting my 28 ft boat off of my trailer in my yard

Alright, I'll try to help. I've done this a few times, once solo.
A roller trailer will be easier to remove from below a boat than a bunk style. If it's a bunk trailer you'll have to lube 'em up to minimize friction.
Also, if you're storing the boat on dirt, grass or blacktop you've gotta use plywood pads under the blocks to stabilize them.

.... Ive heard about tying the boat to a tree and pulling the trailer up a few feet at a time while blocking it. Is this the best and easiest way?

Yeah, but you don't necessarily need a tree for an anchor point. I once used a Grand Cherokee with a class 3 hitch to anchor a 4500# boat for blocking. If that's not an option you could drive a series of pickets firmly into the ground. It's a mountaineering trick, sometimes called ice anchors. See this demo: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yr3KdcEUDQs

.... What all do i need for this? and how do i get it done without damaging the boat?

- First and foremost GO SLOW and plan every move. Start with the trailer tongue low and block the stern corners firmly.
- Attach a line or wire between the stern blocks so they can't spread.
- Anticipate how much load is still on the trailer and re-block as the trailer moves forward. WORK SAFELY. 2 people make it much easier.
- Keep the winch line connected to the bow and only leave a little slack at any time.
- as mentioned, have a strong rear anchor. Chain or heavy line to hold the boat.
- at least 2 jack stands and/or plenty of blocking (4x4, 6x6) and ground pads.
- a tongue jack on the trailer
- a hydraulic jack (optional but useful).
- Did I mention, GO SLOW?

Here's a 23 footer currently blocked in my yard:

 

[sasto]

Re: Getting my 28 ft boat off of my trailer in my yard

I suggest having somebody with you that has done it a few times. I damn near got squished one time. Hence, I don't recommend concrete blocks at all.

Be safe and do alot of research. That's some really good stuff arks gave you! Mr. Bond's is the way I do it.

 

[scoutabout]

Re: Getting my 28 ft boat off of my trailer in my yard

I have heard that concrete / breeze blocks are bad news - that they can give quickly and without warning when their max capacity is exceeded. I'd go with wood if possible.

 

[rickryder]

Re: Getting my 28 ft boat off of my trailer in my yard

Cinder blocks are a big NO NO.....use 6x6 or similar for cribbing

 

[smokeonthewater]

Re: Getting my 28 ft boat off of my trailer in my yard

now the REALLY REALLY right way to do it..... For my 28'er and my friends 28'er I rented boat stands for $50.... straight for the rear and angled for the front..... park boat... jack up with screw jacks on stands chain stands together.... pull trailer out.

the above method works too but I use a floor jack and a wood block on the keel under the trailer while moving the trailer a foot or so.... then set it back down and move the jack and repeat.... blocking the keel behind the trailer once the center of balance is passed.

 

[Dick Sorensen]

Re: Getting my 28 ft boat off of my trailer in my yard

Used to work in a real 'hand to mouth' marina. We had to do this type of project alot....all we had was railroad ties and blocks and bottle jacks....bare with me....I need to get my memory cap on....the overall concept is to lift the boat just high enough to pull the trailer out.... Step 1. lower the tongue to the ground which raises the stern..... Step 2. go to the stern and place blocks on either side of the hull and run a board actoss to the blocks (remember you are just trying to raise the boat off the trailer 1/4 inch or so....nothing more) Step 3....taking your bottle jack to the front of the boat....find the location farthest forward where you can get your jack under making sure you put a wooden plate under the jack..then lift the boat/trailer as high as you can....block it the trailer and give yourself a pat on the back for the height gained!...Step 4.....the boat/trailer is being to come up.....reposition the jack...place it on heavy timbers....lift the boat/trailer again or until you know that when you support the boat the trailer will roll out....OK so you've got the boat/trailer high enough....just place a column of blocks....and the run a 2x8 or 2x10 across between the two columns of railroad blocks...(keep the board above the trailer) use sturdy timbers so they can handle the weight.... lower the boat/trailer so that theat rests on the 1board....pull the trailer out....now get under the boat and support the keel with additional block columns...ovation please you're done...the overall concept is to just raise the boat high enough to slide the trailer out...then drop the trailer ...do what you have to and then slide the trailer back in......to me the idea of pulling the boat off tied to a tree....or dropping the boat onto tires....etc. High School Physics tells us that once we get 3,000 pounds or so up in the air it's best to keep it up in the air....you really don't want to have to lift it off the ground. ...... anyway I hope this sorry excuse for a tutorial helps in some meager way.