Getting Boat on Trailer on Land

FastOlson · Nov 6, 2012

I once lifted my 1550# 20 footer off its trailer in order to paint the bottom. Used a cross beam on our outdoor deck and an additional cross beam I made out of some sistered 2 X 6 planks. Hoisted it with the 4 to 1 main sheet tackle on one side and the 4 to 1 vang tackle on the other. I forget what I used for the second (aft) tackle, but recall it was some old block n tackle stuff in the shop. Be sure you brace those cross beams diagonally, very well....

Must admit -- I only lifted it enough to get at the areas where the rollers were, and also put a block or two tightly under the stubb keel, "just in case".

It's just well-proven 'post and beam' construction, but be careful and thorough in your prep work. I fastened all the pieces together with 1/4" carriage bolts - large washers. Also put some angle-braces across the top corners, too.
You should overbuild and gusset it.

CalebD · Nov 6, 2012

Glad you made it through Sandy ok.
The easy way to get your boat back on its trailer is by using a crane with lifting straps.
If all the cranes are busy (as I suspect they are) you can do it with a few pieces of equipment and a lot of patience. You would need: 4 adjustable jack stands, a car jack (or other jack capable of lifting 2300#), a pile of lumber cut in about 1' square pieces. Twelve strong guys might be able to lift the boat up onto its keel as well then the jack stands could be placed to hold it up. You'd then need to raise the boat by jacking it up on a suitable point on the underside. Each incremental rise of the jack would need to be followed by a rise of the stands to hold the boat in place. The jack stands would need to be chained together in pairs on opposite sides of the boat. Once the keel is high enough to get your trailer under you are almost done.
As you move the trailer under the boat your support points need to be relocated or removed.
I don't really recommend this method if you have not used boat stands before as it is labor intensive and prone to having things go wrong. I'm just outlining what could be done.
Getting a crane to lift it is by far the easiest and safest option. You may just have to wait for a crane to be available.
Good luck.

Ron-Anne · Nov 6, 2012

I've done it several times as I used to borrow a trailer for a 22' ODay then store it on it's cradle inside a car garage, we had a "cherry picker", a log loader, with two slings, done deal. Good luck

MrBill_FLL · Nov 6, 2012

2 strong swings set and some car straps. (or build your own braces).

if you have insurance I'd let them handle it (w/ a crane). its dangerous, and tricky.

can you get a fork lift, front end loader, or other heavy equipment into the area now?

Chris Patterson · Nov 6, 2012

Tmeade, all of these guys are correct. But this isn't a "hope it works" job. As an ex-rigger/engineer, I've been in the business many, many occasions to lift/move hundreds of tons of weight, and several boats thereof. I never want to be the voice of discouragement, but unless you have a strong background in this type of work, I urge you to seek a pro, or the aforementioned heavy equipment route. One, ONE slip up......man, I don't have to spell it out here. A lot of jobs a man can goof up, and go back afterwards and repair the "aw shucks". This ain't one of 'em.
But the very best of luck if you pursue this. Newton didn't lie. The smallest error, and catastrophic events happen alarmingly fast.

Crazy Dave Condon · Nov 7, 2012

Ditto with Chris as being a former sailboat dealer now retired.

Ross · Nov 8, 2012

I am a very capable carpenter and I can assure you that it will cost more to build strong enough trestles and buy enough come-longs and straps to lift this than it will cost to hire a crane.

Chris Patterson · Nov 8, 2012

If I had this to do, and zero equipment to work with, another option, (which is about the same), is hire you one of those recovery wreckers. You know, the BIG boys that have extendable booms. They can lift a boat many, many times heavier than a C22, but you're going to need the reach, so that it can lift it relatively high, and off the back enough to get the trailer under. It may well be a cheaper "pick" than a boom truck or crane. and along with Ross, buying the right stuff will be WAY more expensive than a lift. And then you're stuck with all the rigging equipment, and no more boats to pick. Unless you want to go to work as a rigger. And again, I can't really recommend this either. Tough dangerous work. Hire the pick..

LloydB · Nov 8, 2012

Are you in a hurry? Do you have deep pockets? Do you never want to paint the bottom?
Three things that should cause a pause for this being a DIY project.
BTW full keel or swing?
Do a search for 'how do I get my boat off the trailer' on this forum.

Crazy Dave Condon · Nov 10, 2012

It is easy for anyone to express an opion but Chris is right. Many do not know what they are doing and/or lack the experience and his suggestion of a crane or even a hydraulic trailer is highly recommended. I have seen alot of aftermath over the years in way of damage and in two cases, death. If experienced, that is another thing.

crazy dave condon

Bad Obsession · Nov 11, 2012

Yep....an then there is Murphy and his law! You need a skilled set of eyes to look at this job for you. Think about it....do you want to do this without harming your baby or do you want to drop her and damage her badly. The wrong move could make the boat worthless!

Consider Murphy and his laws and find someone who knows how to do this right.