Boat Slings or Other Lifting Methods to Allow Trailer Repair?

[Twolane]

Over the winter hope to do some trailer repair/maintenance but will be limited by no place to leave the boat in the water. Boat is an old late 70s Glastron.

I do have a two post automotive lift in my shop. The kind with two arms on each side that slide in and out under the car. Are there lifting specific slings or could I use large straps to raise the boat with the lift?

If so what would be the best locations to place the straps? How many would best be used? Or is this simply a poor idea?

Thanks.

 

[oldjeep]

Re: Boat Slings or Other Lifting Methods to Allow Trailer Repair?

Is there a way to lock the arms into a specific spread? The last lift I used they were allowed to swing freely - which would be an issue if you had a strap between them because the arms would want to straighted out towards the center of the lift.

 

[Alumarine]

Re: Boat Slings or Other Lifting Methods to Allow Trailer Repair?

It's a fine idea. In most cases two 2"-3" straps will work fine.
One near the back of the boat where the most weight is and one 1/3 of the way from the front.

 

[Bob_VT]

Re: Boat Slings or Other Lifting Methods to Allow Trailer Repair?

Just off load the boat onto tires. Easy to get on and off the trailer on land and the boat will just sit on braces.

There are a bunch of threads on off loading the boat.

Scroll down and read the related threads

 

[Twolane]

Re: Boat Slings or Other Lifting Methods to Allow Trailer Repair?

Is there a way to lock the arms into a specific spread? The last lift I used they were allowed to swing freely - which would be an issue if you had a strap between them because the arms would want to straighted out towards the center of the lift.

The arms would swing in on my lift if left on their own. My thought was straps long enough that the arms would stay above the hull then use 4x4 strapped to the arms to maintain the separation.

 

[Twolane]

Re: Boat Slings or Other Lifting Methods to Allow Trailer Repair?

It's a fine idea. In most cases two 2"-3" straps will work fine.
One near the back of the boat where the most weight is and one 1/3 of the way from the front.

Thanks. Just looking at it that was my thought too. Under the engine area (I/O) and under the hull just before where it starts sloping uphill. Probably put a small rope binding between the straps so they can't spreat apart from each other. Good to know that two support points will be fine.

 

[Jlawsen]

Re: Boat Slings or Other Lifting Methods to Allow Trailer Repair?

The strap mehtod is fine but I tried it and it seemed I was always having to move the straps as they were always right where I needed to work. I found a better method which was to use boat stands. You can use three or four depending on your hull.
1. Fit two under the transom while the trailer is lowered all the way down at the front.
2. Raise the trailer front and place the third up forward under the keel. Depending on hull design you may need to place two further out.
3. Lower the trailer front and pull it out until the forward stand hits and obstruction (axel, frame piece, etc.).
4. Raise the trailer as needed and adjust the forward stands until the trailer is free and clear.
5. Park your trailer and go work on your boat.

You can use a bottle jack and some dunnage to raise the boat and move the stands around for painting,etc.

 

[Twolane]

Re: Boat Slings or Other Lifting Methods to Allow Trailer Repair?

The strap mehtod is fine but I tried it and it seemed I was always having to move the straps as they were always right where I needed to work. I found a better method which was to use boat stands. You can use three or four depending on your hull.
1. Fit two under the transom while the trailer is lowered all the way down at the front.
2. Raise the trailer front and place the third up forward under the keel. Depending on hull design you may need to place two further out.
3. Lower the trailer front and pull it out until the forward stand hits and obstruction (axel, frame piece, etc.).
4. Raise the trailer as needed and adjust the forward stands until the trailer is free and clear.
5. Park your trailer and go work on your boat.

You can use a bottle jack and some dunnage to raise the boat and move the stands around for painting,etc.

Good idea and appreciated. The straps (at least in my head so far) seem easier and since for this task will be working on the trailer rather than the boat they won't be in the way. Will keep the method in mind for later hull touch ups or other service though.

 

[markheck1]

Re: Boat Slings or Other Lifting Methods to Allow Trailer Repair?

I just used a plain old vehicle tow strap , hooked to the rear eyes, lifted it, & Blocked, then lifted the front at the bow eye and pulled away,
Of course we have a crane truck and a ton of pallets at work, YMMV, LOL

 

[Twolane]

Re: Boat Slings or Other Lifting Methods to Allow Trailer Repair?

I just used a plain old vehicle tow strap , hooked to the rear eyes, lifted it, & Blocked, then lifted the front at the bow eye and pulled away,
Of course we have a crane truck and a ton of pallets at work, YMMV, LOL

Lifting entirely from the eyes hadn't been a thought. It may be just fine. But the thought of it makes parts of me pucker in that just shouldn't behave that way...

 

[markheck1]

Re: Boat Slings or Other Lifting Methods to Allow Trailer Repair?

If you think about it they are through the transom and will be lifting on Shear/Bend Strength which is a whole lot stronger than what it would take to pull them straight out. I know what you mean I was kinda skeptical when I tried it. FWIW it never groaned or creaked when I lifted it.

 

[oops!]

Re: Boat Slings or Other Lifting Methods to Allow Trailer Repair?

they tow/ bow eye hooks will do it just fine....

but the winning idea was bob vt's...

it only takes a few minits to get a boat off a trailer, by lowering the tounge,,,,,blocking the transom...and raising the tounge and blocking the keel...it is so fast... that i will have your boat off....and your trailer rebuilt, by the time you are satisfied with the position of your lifting straps.

 

[Texasmark]

Re: Boat Slings or Other Lifting Methods to Allow Trailer Repair?

Got any air mattresses? If not buy a couple and then when company comes over you have a couple of extra beds.

Mark

 

[Georgesalmon]

Re: Boat Slings or Other Lifting Methods to Allow Trailer Repair?

I used my two post auto lift on my boat with two 3" straps. Couldn't use the bow and stern eyes because they were to far apart. I put the straps under where two bulkheads were located. My arms swing free when lowered but as soon as I raise it a couple of inches they lock into two spring loaded gear like devices on each arm, so no problem.

 

[zlman1970]

Re: Boat Slings or Other Lifting Methods to Allow Trailer Repair?

I wish someone would post some step by step pictures. I can't get my head around the raise/lower using the tongue jack method. To the poster above who mentioned how easy it was, maybe tonight is a good night for a photo lesson?
You must have to reposition the keel supports a few times before the trailer would be out?

 

[Yankeyspeed]

Re: Boat Slings or Other Lifting Methods to Allow Trailer Repair?

I jacked mine up and put a 4x4 wood pole across the back of mine and worked under, no problems. It did not flex and I was able to repair the trailer

 

[Twolane]

Re: Boat Slings or Other Lifting Methods to Allow Trailer Repair?

I used my two post auto lift on my boat with two 3" straps. Couldn't use the bow and stern eyes because they were to far apart. I put the straps under where two bulkheads were located. My arms swing free when lowered but as soon as I raise it a couple of inches they lock into two spring loaded gear like devices on each arm, so no problem.

Glad you mentioned the locks on yours. Mine isn't the same but does have good sized thumb screws on each arm that catch mechanical dogs to keep the arms from swinging in. Even though I see them regularly never use them and hadn't thought about them.

The lift and a couple of 3" x 20' two straps should make short work of getting the boat off the trailer. Then can recarpet the bunks and a some other chores completely without obstruction. Will be nice to have that chore done.