Howma gonna dude dis?

[drewpster]

The options I have as I see them are these: the least desirable, the most expensive or the most work. I need to get the engine and transmission out of my tug. It is a 1969 version of a weekend sportfishing boat. It has a deep hull and weighs around 4k to 6k pounds, complete boat. (i'm guessing)
The least desirable method includes hiring a boom truck for a couple of hours to extract the power plant with the boat sitting as it is now. I'm not happy with this one because it means I am dependant on someone else. This will make things more difficult when I am fitting the engine back in after the stringers are repaired.
The most expensive option includes building a 4x4 gantry, lowering the boat on to dollies (homebuilds BTW) and rolling the boat forward. Hmm casters, steel, wood= $$$$ not mention the time.
The option with the most work involves buying a steel gantry from a co-worker. The gantry is cheap but the legs will have to have bases and casters added. The gantry is set in concrete and is tall enough that it can be cut at the ground and still be about 14 feet tall before the bases are built. I like this option because it leaves me with a killer gantry but there is some money involved and allot of work.
The canopy top, wheel, shaft, strut and rudder have all been removed anticipating lowering the boat on shorter stands prior to the lift. I just need a direction to go now and I am stuck. Any suggestions will be met with intense scrutiny and glee.

 

[wire2]

Re: Howma gonna dude dis?

You need the engine off the floor but not necessarily right out of the boat?

An idea; Only a drill and some bolts needed.

Picture 2 pieces 2x12 stacked on edge, on each side of the boat, about 3 ft long. Bolt 2 pieces 2x2 angle vertically in the middle, 1?" apart, extending 2" into the boat for stability, and 8" above the upper 2x12. Now place a 2x6 or 2x8 across the boat, between, and bolted to the the angles. Triangulate with a couple pieces angle 3 ft long bolted at 45?. Add a few clamps onto the boat for safety. Now you can sling a come-along from the middle and lift the engine straight up. By yourself. Anytime.

 

[Sorrento 25]

Re: Howma gonna dude dis?

Find one of the non-flatbed tow trucks with the boom and winch and pay the guy to winch it out of there when he is in the area.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Howma gonna dude dis?

boom truck, make sure he is insured. that way if it gets dropped it's covered. probably $300 for out and back in. save time, and probably cheaper. have a place ready for he motor.

 

[Benny1963]

Re: Howma gonna dude dis?

i built a gantry its 12 ft tall with casters on side sections
i built mine out of 4x4 steel sguare tube it breaks down by unbolting
top cross member it has chain fall and i beam at top with rollers to let you move chain fall side to side and the casters on bottom let you roll forward and back .it cost me 750 but that aws chain fall heavy casters
and mat. but there was alot of welding .but i have used it for 7years
and rented it or loaned it for future favors countless times.
it was worth all the time and money ,i just used it to remove v6 outboard on my boat to free seized drive shaft .
if you want some pics or a drawing holla.
if you were close enough i would say come get it
benny1963 louisiana

 

[Mark42]

Re: Howma gonna dude dis?

Check around with the local excavators. A backhoe runs about $75 hour at my home, and if you have it all unbolted with chains on, the backhoe will lift it out and set it on your stand in a matter of minutes.

 

[Bondo]

Re: Howma gonna dude dis?

The option with the most work involves buying a steel gantry from a co-worker. The gantry is cheap but the legs will have to have bases and casters added. The gantry is set in concrete and is tall enough that it can be cut at the ground and still be about 14 feet tall before the bases are built. I like this option because it leaves me with a killer gantry but there is some money involved and allot of work.

Ayuh,.......... I like This option,......
Only because it appears that You're as Handy as I am,........
And,....a portable Gantry Crane will get used Alot for Along time.......

This is How I end up with all the toys,.. err Tools I have today,.......
When ya Need it, Build it,+ you'll always Have it.................

Btw,........ I Love the Jacks you built out of the Trailer Dolly Legs.............

 

[Boomyal]

Re: Howma gonna dude dis?

If you spend the money and take the time to construct something, what will you do with it afterwards? Do you have room to keep it? Will you likely use it again?

If answers to the above are not favorable, I like Marks idea of a backhoe. Would seem to be the cheapest and easiest.

 

[Bob_VT]

Re: Howma gonna dude dis?

If you build a gantry you will have a great support to cover the boat in the off season.

The other alternative (I can't believe this was not suggested) is a helicopter!

 

[Boomyal]

Re: Howma gonna dude dis?

If you build a gantry you will have a great support to cover the boat in the off season.

Why heck Bob, with that idea, why does't drewpster just build a building around the boat, where it sits, then incorporate a joist lift while he is at it. That'd really kill two birds with one stone.

 

[Bob_VT]

Re: Howma gonna dude dis?

Why heck Bob, with that idea, why does't drewpster just build a building around the boat, where it sits, then incorporate a joist lift while he is at it. That'd really kill two birds with one stone.

I live in a tax happy state The gantry would not be taxed but a building would. Yes, I agree the gantry would be a nice center point with possibly an I beam and a chain hoist on rollers.

 

[Benny1963]

Re: Howma gonna dude dis?

yes as i said earlyer the one i have uses a i beam at top.
chainfall moves side to side and gantry moves for or back,
it has 4x6 sides with a tee at bottom and i used 6'' wheels from grainger
the i beam bolts to flat plate welded at top so it can be taken down
total height 13ft
b1963

 

[wire2]

Re: Howma gonna dude dis?

Any fab shops in the area with an overhead crane? Back the boat into their shop, lift the motor out, set it down in a pickup. A case of beer will usually cover a single lift.

 

[Zero Balance]

Re: Howma gonna dude dis?

Maybe get a bunch of balloons, a couple tanks of helium and......

I like option 3. You'll always have a portable hoist. Alert your local rental yards and perhaps you can recoup some of your money / or sell it to them for use?

Taking it to a shop works well. I did this with my engine removal and even stored my engine in the guys shop until I re-installed it. He did my transom and a lot of glass work though.

 

[bassboy1]

Re: Howma gonna dude dis?

Get yourself the gantry. You will always find uses for it. We *stupidly* passed a deal on a good one last spring, and have been kicking ourselves since - every time we find a use for it (a lot). It is gonna get built in the near future, just as soon as we get the time + money to do it, and after we get our dang barn built, which we need, but haven't got the time + money to do.

 

[drewpster]

Re: Howma gonna dude dis?

Sorry I have not replied. I been sick in bed the past few days.
I think I am going to go with the gantry. I have a small stick welder I use to tack stuff together. Then I an take it to work to finish the welding using our big mig welder. It is allot of work but I think I will regret not getting that gantry.
I will look into it further and if it does not work out I may hire the boom truk. I also like the backhoe idea.
The helicopter would be too expensive I think. The balloons sound like a fun idea. With my luck my engine would end up floating away. I don't think air traffic control would understand.

 

[redfury]

Re: Howma gonna dude dis?

Give me a chance to have the gantry and I take it hands down. We used to use a great A frame in the Army for pulling motors in a pinch. Works slick...just need someone to help push the motor out of the engine bay. I just don't have a place to use one as I'm out of luck in the asphalt/concrete pad dept. I'm unfortunately working with a back yard. We do what we gotta do though, right?

 

[drewpster]

Re: Howma gonna dude dis?

I know exactly what you mean Red. I spent years working on stuff like this on every undesirable surface. I remember once changing a starter on a Mustang lying between the car and a curb in pouring rain.
It was one of my happiest days when my wife and I could finally afford a home like we have now. We are very blessed. Working on a boat this size, much less owning one, would have been impossible for us 5 years ago. Once the wood stove gets installed in the shop, my little gearhead Mecca will be complete. At least until I "need" something else.