How To Flip a boat

[dszjlane]

Hey Guys.<br /><br />I've decided that I'm going to paint my boat this winter.The boat has been previously painted with what I think is marine enamel. I plan on painting it with a two part paint.How ever my question is. How do I go about turning the boat over to do this. Its a 1970's TriHull,so she a heavy beast. Or does anyone have any suggestions on how I might go about this project with out turning the boat over.<br /><br />Any input would be great.<br /><br /><br />Thanks

 

[kfraser]

Re: How To Flip a boat

I redid the bottom of my Sportcraft several years ago. I laid out serveral tires on the ground and some friends (about six) and I slid it off the trailer onto the tires and flipped it keeping the tires under the keel and, when flipped under the sides. I then laid some 4x4's across the trailer and we lifted it upside down and backed the trailer under it. It was heavy, but we took our time and I didn't break out the beer until we were finished.

 

[THE BEEF]

Re: How To Flip a boat

Frosty:<br />Don't flip it.Its a real pain.I used to do it with my 18'wood Henry.This year I bought a 22' skiffcraft extended cabin cruiser.to paint the bottom I built 2 stands.I pulled it off the trailer and blocked up the front,stripped the bottom,replaced a plank and painted it. Alot easier this way believe me.<br />check forum trailer and towing on this site.<br />I explained how to get it off the trailer real easy.<br />Good luck<br />The Beef

 

[JasonJ]

Re: How To Flip a boat

If you have it on a roller trailer, you could paint the majority as it sits,let it cure, then move if back on the trailer enough to expose the unpainted parts, then paint those areas blending them into the rest. Flipping can be done if you strip the hull down, and get a buch of guys to manhandle it, but it can be tricky. Another way is if your garage has overhead beams that are stong enough. You can attach a heavy duty ratchet strap to the bow hook and one to a heavy rope or cable attatched to both transom eyes. Lift the boat off of the trailer (it will need to be ballanced while lifting), pull the tralier out, flip the hull (which has been stripped of motor and anything else of course), and set it on some sturdy stands. You want the hull high enough so it will be comfortable to sand, prep, and paint. Back pain sucks...

 

[dszjlane]

Re: How To Flip a boat

Well I think I've pretty much decided aginst flipping the boat to paint it.I think I may still remove it from the trailer though,and just set it on some stands.It will mean some/alot of work on a creeper during the sanding process,how ever I think this is my best option given the amount of space in my single car garage/storage. Also this wiil free up the trailer so I can convert it from Rollers to Bunks. I'm trying to decide still though what type of paint to use, and if I should spray or roll and tip it. I've been looking for an excuse to buy a decent air compressor!

 

[JasonJ]

Re: How To Flip a boat

I would say get a good compressor, that way you can use an air sander and save some time/effort. Then you can spray and get it done a lot faster than rolling/tipping.

 

[dszjlane]

Re: How To Flip a boat

JJ Had look at your restoration project. Wow,it amazing how similar our boats are. Mines a 1970's Sangster 17.5' tri hull. It originally had a 1965 Merc 650 that didn't run at all when I got it. Once running ran well until the lower leg striped out. Now I have a 2003 90 hp Johnson, boatmoves along great.Starting this winter to restore the boat a little as you can see painting the hull is first on the list.Myproject will nothow ever be as in depth as yours. I'll keep you posted on my progress

 

[JasonJ]

Re: How To Flip a boat

You should post some pics or set up a resto site if you get a chance. Thats the one thing I never got to was painting my hull. The one problem I have is I leave it in the water from June to late September, so no paint is ever going to hold. If I ever move and no longer have a dock, then I might paint the hull. I have only sort of cared how it looked, I have been more interested in how it works. I'm curious, do you have an accurate top speed with that 90 horse? I often feel that high 30s is a bit slow for my boat considering it has a 125 horse. The motor is very healthy and is dialed in prop-wise. I think I need to haul it to the scale and weigh it, I think it has become fat in the last few years as I add more and more fishin' gear...

 

[dszjlane]

Re: How To Flip a boat

JJ The only speed reference I have is the new speedo I installed with the motor, I've clocked it between 42 and 48 MPH with my wife,mykids (age3 and 5)and my dog ( golden retriever).I was questioning the accuracy of the speedo, until I clocked it aginst my friends new Bayliner his speedo read almost exactly the same as mine. I would however like to clock it aginst a gps just to be sure. One thing for certian I do turn alot of heads when people see myboat jumping out of the hole like its *** is on fire!!!<br /><br />When I do get goingon the project I will definately start up a restosite.My wife has told me I'm not allowed to paint my boat until the interior of the house is painted.............. Women always keeping us in line eh!