Taking boat off the trailer?

DirtyOldBoat

Petty Officer 2nd Class
Joined
Jul 16, 2011
Messages
120
My poor old 16' 1973 Glastron has been sitting out in the weather for almost 10 years now. I finally dragged it into my shop so I can work on it, hopefully I can get it out on the water this year. I want to take the boat off the trailer so I can paint it and replace the bunks...but the question is how? Obviously I'll need to build some kind of wood support under the boat, is there some kind of established procedure for this? Beyond just putting a pile of wood under it...how do I lift the boat while I pull the trailer out?

boat.jpg
 

tpenfield

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Staff member
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Jul 18, 2011
Messages
18,137
Re: Taking boat off the trailer?

Folks use various methods for getting their boat off of the trailer.

A common method is to lower the tongue of the trailer as low as it will go, thus raising the stern. Put blocks under the transom on both sides. then raise the tongue of the trailer and put several blocks under the forward portions of the keel.

safety first and double up on you lifting devices, etc.

Once the boat is supported on a series of blocks, you can progressively pull the trailer out by moving it forward. You will have to alternate some of the forward blocks , to allow frame members of the trailer to escape from the block structure.

You should check out a few youtube for folks that have made videos of the processes that they have used to remove the trailer from under the boat.
 

Home Cookin'

Fleet Admiral
Joined
May 26, 2009
Messages
9,715
Re: Taking boat off the trailer?

For a boat that size, put plywood on the floor (or better an old tire to catch the corner of the transom) get 2 guys to lift the bow and one guy to pull the trailer out from under it. Works great with roller trailers; we used to take our 16' Starcraft off the trailer in the yard every year to paint the bottom. Reverse the process and use the winch to reinstall.

In your case consider a hoist from the ceiling, but just for lifting, not leaving it there.
 

LippCJ7

Vice Admiral
Joined
Sep 20, 2010
Messages
5,431
Re: Taking boat off the trailer?

First let me say that you sir SUCK(LOVE your shop and wished I had one)

In light of your incredibly spacious work area I would suggest you become familiar with our favorite masochist Jay.
Here is his youtube channel
https://www.youtube.com/user/friscojarretts

Here is how he built a boat cradle with wheels and put his boat on it
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kGGQo737OZk&list=PLNC3dBVVTWgGFaP2bgJxDoACGbsdUxKyL&index=3
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RgEujA9rXX8&list=PLNC3dBVVTWgGFaP2bgJxDoACGbsdUxKyL&index=4

He is currently rebuilding a similar sized boat as you and may be a pretty good source for whatever you are going to do to yours.


I freaking love your shop too, any chance you have more pics? Is it heated? I bet you have a TV too don't you? Oh never mind I'm sniveling....
 

Bondo

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Staff member
Joined
Apr 17, 2002
Messages
71,082
Re: Taking boat off the trailer?

My poor old 16' 1973 Glastron has been sitting out in the weather for almost 10 years now. I finally dragged it into my shop so I can work on it, hopefully I can get it out on the water this year. I want to take the boat off the trailer so I can paint it and replace the bunks...but the question is how? Obviously I'll need to build some kind of wood support under the boat, is there some kind of established procedure for this? Beyond just putting a pile of wood under it...how do I lift the boat while I pull the trailer out?

View attachment 181207

Ayuh,.... Welcome Aboard,.... I'm torn, is this a trailer question, or gonna be a boat Restoration,..??

I'm thinkin' this'll fit right in down in the drydock,...

Nice boat,... Great shop space,.... 'n We love pictures,.... ;)
 

DirtyOldBoat

Petty Officer 2nd Class
Joined
Jul 16, 2011
Messages
120
Re: Taking boat off the trailer?

Thanks for the info everyone! Old tires...I like that idea!

As for the shop...yeah, I got a flatscreen in my office. :D I got an AMAZING deal on this place after the previous occupant ended up in the pokey, there was a giant forest of marijuana growing where I have the boat parked. Still got a lot of junk I need to pack in here.

shop.jpg

I'm going to paint the boat and the truck to match, they're both 1973s. Who needs gas mileage? :lol:
 

archbuilder

Vice Admiral
Joined
Sep 12, 2009
Messages
5,697
Re: Taking boat off the trailer?

First of all, great boat! I was looking at one of them last year....but decided that I really didn't need two OB ski boats! You might take a look at my thread, I built a cradle for mine, similar to what Jay did. I think you will be very happy you did once you start the process. I actually had one for it when it was upside down to make it easier to work on the bottom. If you pull the motor, a couple guys can man-handle it, I did that quite a bit with mine. I also used my loader on the tractor. if you have one or can get one, they work great. I just made a sling out of 2" cargo tie-downs and wrapped it around the hull. How about a few more shots of the boat? Is that A merc on the back? You can see the cradles on the first and third page.
 
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