trailer repairs/how do I get boat off ?

josepr

Seaman Apprentice
Joined
May 12, 2002
Messages
36
I have a boat (26.5,very heavy) that is on a trailer. The trailer (bolts,brakets,lugs)needs some major repairs before I move it. It seems that the lugs on the wheels are ready to fall off it's so bad. I have seen many boats in dry dock up on stands maybe 3 or 4 at the most. How do they get them up there ? I have thought of jacks and maybe carefully slide the trailer from under the boat but this is a heavy boat afteralland I don't want to ruin the hull in any way.<br />The boat is used in salt water.<br />Any suggestions?
 

blifsey

Senior Chief Petty Officer
Joined
Jan 17, 2002
Messages
769
Re: trailer repairs/how do I get boat off ?

Joepr,<br /><br />Search the Trailers forum. There was a discussion of doing this about a month or so ago. I had to replace bow stop on my trailer (smaller boat) and cranked the jack stand all the way up, blocked the keel with some soft wood and lowered the jack stand. The trailer went down and boat stayed in place. The thread in the trailers forum explains how to do this and pull trailer out from under boat.<br /><br />Good luck,<br />BL...
 

josepr

Seaman Apprentice
Joined
May 12, 2002
Messages
36
Re: trailer repairs/how do I get boat off ?

Thank you for the reply.I did not know there was another forum for trailers
 

blifsey

Senior Chief Petty Officer
Joined
Jan 17, 2002
Messages
769
Re: trailer repairs/how do I get boat off ?

There's also one on "Stupid Human Tricks". Be sure to read it too :D <br /><br />BL...
 

aretert

Cadet
Joined
Feb 26, 2008
Messages
9
Ok

Ok

I have a boat (26.5,very heavy) that is on a trailer. The trailer (bolts,brakets,lugs)needs some major repairs before I move it. It seems that the lugs on the wheels are ready to fall off it's so bad. I have seen many boats in dry dock up on stands maybe 3 or 4 at the most. How do they get them up there ? I have thought of jacks and maybe carefully slide the trailer from under the boat but this is a heavy boat afteralland I don't want to ruin the hull in any way.<br />The boat is used in salt water.<br />Any suggestions?
I tend to agree mostly but im still not sure I understand everything here
 

External Combustion

Chief Petty Officer
Joined
Aug 21, 2007
Messages
608
Re: trailer repairs/how do I get boat off ?

Tashasdaddy has a great description on how to move a trailer from underneath the boat. If your boat is 3K to 7K pounds then six lift points will be enough. Two on the keel, and four on the sides to stabilize. Heavier craft will need more. Block, jack, move the trailer a few inches, rejack, reblock, move the trailer a few more inches.......at the end of the day even a fifty foot trailer can be free of the vessel!

My favorite boat is around 7.5K with her normal load. I have been able to cheat before as I bought a forklift heavy enough for the job for $350. The fork lifted the boat clear of the trailer. Not easily, but safely.

I have moved a lot of heavy equipment by cribbing and jacking; taking my time as danger is not my forte'. Read TD's post. He has done this many times.

Good luck and remember, time is on your side!
 

SS MAYFLOAT

Admiral
Joined
May 17, 2001
Messages
6,372
Re: trailer repairs/how do I get boat off ?

TD's method is about the only DIYer way to do it. I've done my 27' several times (8200lbs) and each time was nerve racking with the fear of it falling. I used lots of 6X6 cribbing and a 10 ton floor jack on the keel. Jack up the keel and Move the trailer to the crossmember and jack, block up, release jack, move jack on other side of trailer cross member, jack up keel, remove blocks at keel, pull trailer up to the next cross member and repeat. PIA to do, but it gets the job done. Of course you reverse the procedure to get it back on.

If your just replacing parts on the trailer, I suggest jacking and blocking the boat up off the trailer and make the repairs while the trailer is still underneath. If it would happen to fall, at least it will still be on the trailer. Good Luck and be very careful..........SS
 

pbuzz3323

Petty Officer 2nd Class
Joined
Nov 22, 2006
Messages
143
Re: trailer repairs/how do I get boat off ?

same dilema here..I have to paint my boat but the thought of it crushing me..onto driveyway is not pleasant
 

tashasdaddy

Honorary Moderator Emeritus
Joined
Nov 11, 2005
Messages
51,019
Re: trailer repairs/how do I get boat off ?

here you go guys

Getting Boat Off Trailer

you don't need stands.

1/you can lower the tongue to the ground. i would get some 6x6 or old railroad crossties cut the +- 12 inches, now block up the transom. 2/

Raise the tongue of the trailer the back of trailer will drop away from trailer. this is the tricky part. between the cross braces of the trailer block the keel, lower trailer, boat will be suspended on the blocks.

3/ pull forward, lift bow again, and reblock i a different place. repeat until trailer is out from under the boat.

4/ to reload, just reverse the procedure.

if you were just working on the bunks, or painting the bottom. you could just do the first 2 steps.


alot of times on smaller boats, i just push the off the trailer, then winch them back on.
 

Bondo

Moderator
Staff member
Joined
Apr 17, 2002
Messages
71,159
Re: trailer repairs/how do I get boat off ?

Ayuh,......

TD's method Works,.....

I've done it Twice in the last 2 years with my 34' Houseboat that weighs in at over 4 Tons......
 
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