getting boat off trailer so I can work on it.

gvb

not ever having done this before;

my trailer needs some work... touch up paint, possible bunk carpet replacement, new wheel bearings, and the tounge needs some cleaning, etc...

I planned on taking it to the place that built it locally.. but not sure what to do with the boat!

what is the normal process? do the trailer places normally take the trailers with boats on them, or do they want the bare trailer?

-gvb

Broccoli B · Posted: Mar 29, 2004 10:07 am Post subject:

They can do everything except replace the bunks while the boat is on the trailer. We had the axle replaced on our trailer while the boat was still on it.

ohsix · Posted: Mar 29, 2004 11:18 am Post subject:

I replaced the bunks on my trailer with the boat still on it. Mine has two long bunks that support the front (102" I think) and two shorter ones on the back (around 40".) I used a floor jack with a thick board covered in towels and jacked the boat up wherever I needed to remove the bunk and replace it. Took less than an hour.

DJew Jake · Posted: Mar 29, 2004 12:37 pm Post subject:

How do they get boats off trailers and onto styrofoam anyway?

Jeffro · Addict Joined: 17 Jan 2003 Posts: 659 City: Austin, Texas

fork lift.

MrBlean · Posted: Mar 29, 2004 1:40 pm Post subject: Easy peasy

1) Jack up the trailer.

2) Put blocks or other supports under boat carefully noting possible collision sites between trailer cross members and supports.

3) Lower trailer.

4) Pull trailer out but using jacks and "spare" supports inserting these behind the cross members of the trailer as they meet the supports. You'll need to jack up and lower the boat and shuffle the supports around but it can be done.

Be careful to use sufficiently strong supports.

peca · Addict Joined: 10 Aug 2003 Posts: 640 City: Mt. Pocono, PA

just put the boat in the water Laughing

gvb · Posted: Mar 29, 2004 3:12 pm Post subject:

Blean,

Sounds good in theory, but with my luck, the boat would tip over....

probably landing on me Wink

-gvb

Mike O · Soul Rider Joined: 23 Jan 2003 Posts: 416 City: KINGSPORT

Take the boat to local Marina and leave in water till trailer is fixed.

Steve · Criminal Joined: 30 Jul 2003 Posts: 63 City: Denton

Just put the boat in the water with a friend you trust your boat with early in the morning and go back home and do the work you need done. It's best be sure you have everything you need, lumber, carpet, bolts, bearings, seals, grease, ect in advance to make it as fast as possible. When I did this my friend didn't have a cell phone so we just made a plan in advance for him to check back at the dock at pre-arranged times.

If you do take it to a shop to get the work done with the boat on the trailer, go over the boat with the manager first to show there are no scrapes or gouges in the gelcoat and when you pick it up go over it again with the manager to see if they put any new ones on it. When I had the axles replaced on mine they put a 18 inch gouge in it at the bow, I was lucky to get $250 to help cover the cost to repair it.

MrBlean · Posted: Mar 29, 2004 11:05 pm Post subject: Tip over

SuprAir · Outlaw Joined: 10 Jul 2003 Posts: 180 City: Columbus

jzwake · Addict Joined: 12 Dec 2003 Posts: 801

You just need to block up the boat with blocks and / or boat stands. Ever notice at the boat shows that lots of boats are on blocks and people still board them safely. It is standard operating procedure in the boating industry. I realize it's scary to drag the trailer out from under the boat on land the first time but is easy and safe.
________
How to roll blunts

gvb · Posted: Mar 30, 2004 1:22 pm Post subject:

Anyone have pictures? Just curious about where the jacks would be placed, etc..

-gvb

SupremeWake · Soul Rider Joined: 14 Feb 2003 Posts: 322

Maybe its just me, but jacking up the boat on dry land seems too risky to be worth it. What if it drops!?

I re-did my entire trailer last summer and just left the boat in the lift. The trailer ended up taking much longer that I had anticipated....I would have hated to have the boat jacked up on land during that....not to mention its much easier to work on and take to get painted without the boat on. If I were you I'd make my first objective finding a place to leave your boat in the water. Just my opinion.

-dan

lakeboarder · Posted: Mar 31, 2004 7:11 pm Post subject:

If you have any kind of boat yard or maybe a freindly dealer they should be able to take it off of the trailer with a forklift or other lift and block it until you bring the trailer back. Might cost a few bucks but, they have insurance if anything bad happens. I agree though that you could do it your self if you want.

MrBlean · Posted: Apr 01, 2004 3:47 am Post subject: Re: Easy peasy

climberman15 · Newbie Joined: 25 Nov 2003 Posts: 4 City: oklahoma

My friend and i put his truck in 4-wheel, backed the boat into my pond, went home and fixed the trailer, and then picked the boat up. We just had to get out the power washer when we got home and clean it off good as new.

criminally_minded · Posted: Apr 03, 2004 9:33 pm Post subject:

Get some poor sucker to drive the trailer back to the repair centre while you have a day on the water!