tips on moving boat down on old rollers?

[boataway]

i'm in the process of painting my hull. everything is done except for where the rollers touch the boat. it's probably a 15 year old trailer that's had the boat sitting on it 98% of the time. I tried cranking up the front of the trailer and pushing the boat back; nothing. i tried putting some tow straps that have a ratchet and cranked on those to get them to move; nothing. i cursed at the boat; nothing.

what can i do to get it to move back? i only need it to move about 12". (4500lb v-hull)

can i use the momentum of towing the trailer forward to jerk the boat back?

can i use my car jack to push the boat back off the winch tower?


any reasonably safe suggestion is appreciated!

 

[coastalrichard]

Re: tips on moving boat down on old rollers?

Hitch the trailer to your tow vehicle. Back the rig to within short distance to a strong tree. Attach a comealong to a bridle which is attached to your two rear eyes. You should be able to winch it back a bit. What do you think?

 

[boataway]

Re: tips on moving boat down on old rollers?

Hitch the trailer to your tow vehicle. Back the rig to within short distance to a strong tree. Attach a comealong to a bridle which is attached to your two rear eyes. You should be able to winch it back a bit. What do you think?

that's a really good idea. i didn't even know what a comealong was! good news is there's already big ol' tree behind where the boat sits now. i have some tow straps that i think i'll attach to the transom strap eyes. brilliant!

overnighting a comealong now!

thanks richard!

 

[DBreskin]

Re: tips on moving boat down on old rollers?

Save yourself some cash.
Arrange the tow vehicle, trailer, boat and tree as described above. Tie off the transom eyes to the tree. Get in the tow vehicle and drive forward 12 inches. Done.

 

[shrew]

Re: tips on moving boat down on old rollers?

I'd chain the bow eye to the winch post and leave about 12 inches of slack. This way momentum doesn't get the better of you and it prevents the boat from rolling completely off of the trailer accidentally.

 

[Philster]

Re: tips on moving boat down on old rollers?

Let out 12-15 inches of slack at the winch before doing so!

Edit: a simulpost

 

[boataway]

Re: tips on moving boat down on old rollers?

you guys are right that i could save some money. but the thing is, i don't really have easy help to do this so i'm scared to drive away and not be able to see what's going on.

comealong allows me to see as i'm pulling.

 

[coastalrichard]

Re: tips on moving boat down on old rollers?

you guys are right that i could save some money. but the thing is, i don't really have easy help to do this so i'm scared to drive away and not be able to see what's going on.

comealong allows me to see as i'm pulling.

Bingo! I thought about it both ways and decided that was the safest. I would take Philster's suggestion also. Good Luck.

 

[Alumarine]

Re: tips on moving boat down on old rollers?

If you're worried try this.
Tie back of boat off to immoveable object.
Put a small log or something similar 12" in front of one of your front tires. When you hit it you know you've gone 12".
Leave a couple of feet of slack on the winch line just in case.
Done.

 

[boataway]

Re: tips on moving boat down on old rollers?

success! i hooked up the comealong and started cranking. it got real tight and hard (that's what she said), not confidence inspiring at all. so i gave up on it. hooked it straight up to the tree and put my truck in 4WD low and just idled along with a lot of braking and everything moved as easy as pie. had the winch cable let out a bit and hooked up as a safety. i did break down and ask my neighbor to spot me (i hate asking for help more than i hate asking for directions!). but it moved along and i was able to paint. i'm DONE!!!!

thanks to everyone that offered ideas! couldn't have done it without ya'll! what a great forum...