Ok to shorten trailer's arm?

[Joolz]

Oh I see. Didn't know boats that size could be placed on blocks. I tend to think of them as whales, where their own weight will crush them when on solid ground. A neighbour mentioned a marina I could leave it on for a couple of days for just a few dollars but that's 1.5h away. Or may just drive to the lake half that distance and have wife and kids have a picnic while I drive the trailer back home to do the welding. But that's step two. Step one is to check the frame without the boat to see how best to proceed. Wife injured her arm and is unable to do much for a few days, so it looks like it will be Sunday before we get the chance.

Another thought I just had is to rent a big generator and do the welding at the parking lot. My generator is a small 1000W (1300 peak) and likely wouldn't be strong enough to handle even the small 70A welder. Hmm, this may be the easiest route.

 

[Joolz]

Here's the info on my welder. Looks like it will need a lot more than what my little camping generator can provide. I see lots of 4000/3000W generators for sale cheap and can likely pick one up for $150. Would that be enough? I rather buy one and sell it back later if I decide not to keep it then renting one. Home Depot wants $80 for the day for their gens. Ouch.

 

[MTboatguy]

By the time you get done with jumping through hoops, you should just take it to a welding shop and have them weld a fish plate on it and be done with it, if will cost less and should not take any time at all, that is actually a pretty easy fix if you are equipped and know what you are doing, which the shop will.

 

[Joolz]

Was considering that but the problem with taking it to a shop is that I'd have to first find a place to leave the boat at. Not comfortable leaving it at the lake by itself for the good part of a day. But if a shop can do what needs to be done (suspect it may be more than just a fish plate) in a scheduled appointment then I'd certainly consider it. Could as simple as having the wife and kids drive her car to the lake and have a picnic while I bring it to a shop. This will be the case should it be necessary to remove the spring bracket and reweld it onto a reinforced plate as this is not something I'd attempt on my own.
Will know more once I unload the boat and take a closer look at the trailer without the load.

 

[MTboatguy]

This is really not a difficult repair, I worked several years in the RV business after I retired from the military and we fixed far worse than what you have there on your trailer. I really do believe you are overthinking this situation.

 

[briangcc]

You don't need an engine hoist to get the boat off the trailer. Got room in your driveway/yard? Good. Here's how...

1. Drop the tongue as low as it will go on the trailer. If you need to use a portable jack (one you use for changing a flat tire will work) to get it nice and low. This tosses the stern high up in the air.
2. With the stern as high as she will go, block it. use spare tires, wood cribbing, etc. Just support it well.
3. With the stern supported well, jack the tongue as high as she will go. This brings the bow up.
4. Now block the bow.
5. Connect the trailer up to your tow vehicle and slowly pull it forward as the boat is now suspended above the trailer. Stop as necessary to adjust blocking so you can pull the trailer out freely while leaving the boat supported. You may need to do this several times to the bow support but it CAN be done.

Reverse the steps to get the boat back on the trailer once the repair is made.

 

[Joolz]

If you move your winch post closer to the tow vehicle can you still open your rear hatch?

Man, you so nailed it. Took the boat out yesterday with the minivan and sure enough you were spot on. Had I cut the tongue even by 5" the hatch wouldn't open. Can't tell you what a headache that've been. Even if all else worked, this alone would have me regretting not asking first.

Just had to thank you for this one crucial tip. And all others for showing me that getting a swing tongue kit to be the way to go. Plan to install the swing kit in the next few days.

Disaster averted. So glad I asked first.