Backyard Boat Lift

[Jerry]

OK, what am I doing wrong? I have two 12" cement blocks, a 2x12, and a big piece of dock foam under the aft end (this is all I have clearance for)- and I am crankin' up the front end- and I'm not getting any distance between the boat and my front, 2x4 runners. I get a couple of inches under the back V runners- not the front.Has anyone done this cheap, backyard, boat lift- and what am I doing wrong?I need to replace the front 2x4's before a trip. Lake levels are too low for boat ramps, so I cannot launch the boat, make a fix, and load it back. Did not discover this problem until putting boat on the trailer last fall.Thanks to all,Jerry

 

[Rob]

A couple of inches is all you'll get

You need to drop the front as low as it can possibly go. Prop up the back end. Crank. PROP UP THE FRONT END. Crank down. Now you can move your trailer a couple of inches, but without a jack and another support, you can't get the trailer out to give you enough clearance to fix it. Try taking the wheels off the trailer, but don't set it on the hubs. Be careful, and good luck!

 

[Dale]

Lifting the boat on the trailer

I lift my boat on the trailer to paint the hull.I have an inexpensive 4000lbs floor jack. To raise the bow I place the jack on the trailer at the "V". Place a 2x4 block on the jack pad so you don't scratch the hull. Have a 2x6 ready to set on its side once you lift the boat. Loosen the forward winch a bit and jack up the boat. Once you get enough clearance set the 2x6 on its side to support the bow. There should be enough room to work but be careful not to knock out the 2x6 while working. Another note: I use small 2x4 blocks on top of each other to raise the back of the boat for painting; here again I do not work under the boat until it is supported by the blocks and off the jack. I hope this helps. Happy sailing.

 

[Charles Bailey]

I don't know how low cost you mean, but this looked like a pretty good way to raise the boat:http://briefcase.yahoo.com/bc/paul_26s_iaclick on "boat raising method"

 

[MArk]

With drawings

Jerry,This worked for an O'Day 20 (see this link).Happy (fusion powered) sails *_/),MArk

 

[Jerry]

Thanks to all

The wooden runners are now replaced. Ready to go. Thanks for the links, and info.Now, All I have to do is replace the tires. Dryrot city.