Using trailer for shore docking

[BOWTECH.JUSTICE]

I'm thinking of making a ramp at my cottage to shore dock my 19' Celebrity. I've seen some ramps that have been made for this but I want to ask what the community thinks or if anyone has some experiance in this. Can a guy take the wheels and axle off the boat trailer and use it for the shore dock and also secure that frame onto an aluminum car trailer and use that to haul the boat when needed? Any ideas welcome.

 

[coastalrichard]

Re: Using trailer for shore docking

I've seen several "bunk-style" ramps that were constructed on the shoreline using post and beam construction (much like an inclined boardwalk without the planks on the top). The bunks extend into the water and go leeward until the boat is totally out of the water. Some had hand winches, others had power winches. If it were me, I think I'd keep my trailer intact for possible use/need in the future and build the shore dock (as you call it) out of Marine PT. Make sure you include a method of restraining the boat to your dock in the case you have inclement weather! Good Luck

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: Using trailer for shore docking

I don't see a problem with using a trailer frame for a "shore dock" as you describe (not something we'd do around here, with tides and salt water!) and you could even drag the boat up the hill with your car. One advantage is you get to use rollers, which is better than bunks. Problem is, if the water level changes, one way or the other, you are out of business. Thus a long set of skids (bunks) would be better if water changes.

But i do not like the idea of trying to put the dock trailer frame onto another trailer frame to go down the road. There is a long list of problems with that, involving all the professions: engineering, law, medical, mechanical, physics and probably even clergy. Maybe OK to drag the whole rig up the bank for the off season, but then I'd use log rollers.

Once you set this up, consider that trailer gone. So I'd do it with a sacrificial trailer, not a good one.

If you have changing water levels, consider whether you'd leave the plug in, and rely on the bilge pump, or pull the plug, and rely on the lake level staying put, as well as your memory to put it back in. I'd do the former in season; you don't pull plugs on a boat on the lift or, obviously, moored/slipped.

 

[UncleWillie]

Re: Using trailer for shore docking

Have you considered the Shore Docker ?

 

[JASinIL2006]

Re: Using trailer for shore docking

Some friends of mine have a small boat house for an old runabout. The boathouse holds a small trailer that is lowered down a ramp into the lake by a cable connected to a winch. The winch is powered by an old washing machine motor hooked up to a set of reducing gears. It takes a while to launch or pick up, but thing works very well, and has for about 30 years. I imagine the hardest part was putting in the concrete for the ramp (it's not a full ramp, just two pads wide enough for the tires). It's really ingenious.

Jim

 

[BF]

Re: Using trailer for shore docking

I have done it, and seen others that have done it. On ours, we took off the springs and axle and used U-bolts to bolt the remaining trailer frame onto a steel-wheeled cart made from angle iron. This cart then rides on a track made of angle iron. The section that extends into the water bolts onto the end and is removed for the winter, and pulled up on shore. An electric winch is used to lower the boat down the tracks, and pull it up. It has worked for a 16' glastron ski boat with 150 hp merc for about 25 years. It takes some engineering and welding. Of course you can have something custom made for more $$$. Really, using a trailer doesn't save that much work or money. We could've just put bunks on the cart.... would've worked as well and we would still have a trailer.

 

[Howard Sterndrive]

Re: Using trailer for shore docking

If you want to pull a 3000 pound boat up the shore it really has to be on a carriage on tracks rolling. If you want to use the trailer for the cart that can work fine. but you need a rail system. Angle iron makes good track. Mine has a top rail to prevent the cart from derailing if I hit the guide poles or it's windy or wavy. I have 60 feet of track. 30' on land and 30' in the lake most of the year- that ratio changes with water levels.

The local waterway authority allows it as it considers this a non-permanent thing, but still require a permit.
A proper ramp for a trailer just on it's tires would never get approval where I am.

I have a 1.5 HP winch on mine with a remote (because as you can see - there is no dock - we ride in and out). It's quite a load coming up out of the water. I used a 2 part line when i had my 27 footer on it. the block and tackle lessened the strain, but it was very slow.

Have you considered the Shore Docker ?

Can't put a 19' fg boat onto a roller ramp. Those things are for tin boats or seadoos. A heavy boat bumps over each roller and falls down like a ratchet. Lifting the transom end up and over each roller pair when launching would not be practical.