How do I get boat off trailer

[Johnny Be Cool]

After making a templete of my transom. I docked the boat and proceeded to install new swivel bunk braces and boards to a longer trailer. I installed 4 rows of bunks, 2 on each side using 2x6x10's. I made sure that the inner bunks supported the weight directly under the motor mount stringer.

Since my trailer is a keel roller trailer the bunks will be used to guide and balance the boat.

I had a very hard time getting the boat to sit center on the trailer. In fact, it's a little crooked and the boat sits on the bunks but 4" from the keel rollers. The boat is 24' deep V Cabin Cruiser at 4000 pounds.

I want to raise the boat and allow the keel to rest on the keel rollers, then I want adjust the bunk braces.

I do not have access to boat screw jacks. I have bottle jacks and a 3 1/2 ton rolling jack. I could get access to cyinder blocks and wood.

Any help on how to do this on my own. What do I need to watch out for. I don't want it to roll over on me!!! Is it safe to jack up the stern at the keel only. Would I crack the hull.

If I lower the front of the trailer and get the stern up in the air, I can then lower it on blocks or wood on the keel and sides, but how do i get the bow up and supported?????????

 

[Alpheus]

Re: How do I get boat off trailer

I lowered the front of the trailer and supported the stern with jack stands and wood blocks. I then constructed something like this using some 2x4's, 4x4's and square tubing using my cherry picker for the lift.

After the boat was supported and measured and marked the center of the trailer cross member and exact center of the boat at the stern and hung a plumb bob...

 

[radarbugs]

Re: How do I get boat off trailer

very nice

 

[Reel Kahuna]

Re: How do I get boat off trailer

I ran across this.

 

[Johnny Be Cool]

Re: How do I get boat off trailer

Thanks for the advise. Unfortunately I just have the basic tools to use, a 3 1/2 ton jack w/ wheels, (2) bottle jacks, (3) small car stands, come along and a winch mounted on my front bumper.

To make matters worse, I'll be bring it uo to the farm wheres there's no black top. I'll be using a few 3/4 plywood panels,.

If I can get the boat lifted off the bunks. I yhought I can place a strap around the boat and use one of my trucks to pull it to line up with th ekeel rollers. Or, Jack up the boat w/ the car dollie and winch the boat sideways while keeping the trailer stationary.

How much presure csn I put on the end of the stern usibg the floorjack. Is it OK to jack it up at the center / stern end.

 

[dan t.]

Re: How do I get boat off trailer

Drop the trailer tongue to the ground, block the two back corners, raise the trailer tongue. This will raise the back off the trailer, then use your jack under the keel (with a V block) raise the front of the boat and stage the trailer out about 2ft at a time

 

[Johnny Be Cool]

Re: How do I get boat off trailer

Dan t. Sounds like the best advise thus far. If I can, I'll post a picture of it on how it sits at the moment.

Does it matter where I block it at the rear. The boat sits a foot in on the bunks. I can't block the transom at the very end. I can set the blocks 2 feet in from the stern.

John

 

[dan t.]

Re: How do I get boat off trailer

Yes 2 ft should be OK. Block under the chines, use a 4 ft 4x4 if possible and center the blocks on it. I block rear and mid point on the chines and at least 2 places on the keel. Once you do it once you will find it simple

 

[Johnny Be Cool]

Re: How do I get boat off trailer

Are the Chines the ribs you see under the hull?

When you say rear & mid points, do you mean placing the 4' 2x4 at those points and block at the center of the 2x4?

Next, you say block 2 places on the keel. Do you mean to block it towards the front of the boat?

I apprecaite your help.
John

 

[Bob's Garage]

Re: How do I get boat off trailer

The process suggested for raising the boat will work. You can support most boats on their keel while jacking up, even to the point of resting the boat on it's keel when moving the trailer. The boat is very strong and you can work with it.

HOWEVER;do not use concrete blocks to support the boat. They are not designed for this use, and if you are laying under your boat when it decides to fall, you are a sandwich.

Instead, get some 2x4's or 2x3's, cut then in 18" lengths and nail them in alternating levels, forming a crate of 2x's end over end, 2 to a layer.

I used these to hold my boat for over 2 years and the only problem was the termites here in Florida. You can make them any height you want, and can make different shapes to suit your needs.

And they are a lot easier to move around than concrete blocks so they can be repositioned when needed, using one hand. Try that with as block.

Got the idea from a boat yard, and it works.

 

[Silver Eagle]

Re: How do I get boat off trailer

Do you have a local fire deptment near by. Some have ways to lift cars or trucks using a compressor and an air bag. If they will help you out maybe they can get it off for you. They do this sort of thing to keep in practice. another way is to line up 4x4's across the the boat from side to side. Make up something to hold them in place and line up the boat as if it were on a trailer. Then lower the tire pressure and slid the trailer out.

 

[dsiekman]

Re: How do I get boat off trailer

or you could just drop her back in the water, make the changes, and try again. The ramps shouldn't be real busy right now...unless you're in striper territory. If not, use the method noted above of lowering and blocking. I did it to bottom paint my last boat which was a little larger than what you are working with. There were a few tense moments, but it worked just fine. I would also add that everyone (including the pros) uses concrete block in my area to block boats for the winter. Just make sure you are stacking it in the correct orientation (cores vertical, not horizontal). Not saying it is right or wrong, just saying.

 

[dsiekman]

Re: How do I get boat off trailer

I lowered the front of the trailer and supported the stern with jack stands and wood blocks. I then constructed something like this using some 2x4's, 4x4's and square tubing using my cherry picker for the lift.

After the boat was supported and measured and marked the center of the trailer cross member and exact center of the boat at the stern and hung a plumb bob...

That's a pretty sweet rig! Just a question, is the bow eye supposed to hold that much weight? If so, someone needs to mass market that piece of equipment!

 

[Alpheus]

Re: How do I get boat off trailer

A company does make that rig. Thats where I got the pic from. I was just saying I used this idea and used a cherry picker for the lifting action.

That bow eye will hold all day...

 

[dan t.]

Re: How do I get boat off trailer

chines are the flat or slightly downward sloping area where the bottom meets the sides. blocks positioned the same as the stands in the picture ,I second that, DO NOT use concrete blocks