My fiance and I have found a very nice Catalina 22 that we would like to buy, but there's a small problem. The trailer which comes with the boat is in need of some major repairs and probably unusable for the 100 mile trip home. The boat is in the current owner's yard, five feet from his garage on jack stands. We are looking into the cost of having the boat professionally hauled home and placed in our yard on the stands while the trailer is repaired. The question is this: how to get the boat back on the trailer? Do we have to have someone with a portable sling come and lift the boat onto the trailer, or can the task be completed with some clever jacking??? This is the only issue keeping us from buying the boat, so any help would be extremely appreciated!!! I am sure someone out there has had the same dillemma. Help!! Thank you in advance!!!
- Status
First Things First !
Hi There, Well after reading your dilema and understanding you would like to own the boat and bring it home right this instant as all new boat owners would like to do, Stop, take a deep breath and mull this over in your mind . First , how did the previous owner remove the boat from the trailer in the first place ? Secondly, if he has some great skill for removing the boat and placed on stands let him demonstrate them after you get the trailer repaired. Meaning , if the boat is what you want then buy it and arrange for the repair to be made while the boat stays right where it is for the time being. It's really not going to go anywhere, and neither is your right to the boat once the papers are signed. Now then, worst possibility ? Having to hire a crane to come out and usuing a sling either rented or purchased lift the boat onto the trailer. The cost here in California varies. If you have your own sling maybe 100.00. If not then the cost of the sling and the crane. Depending on how far this crane has to come to do the job and return.? Some companies will charge you so much per mile outside their general area. Others will not and just do it for a flat rate and to boast "We can move boats anywhere" They might even take a picture for their advertisement. Well I know this probably has confused you even more then you already are, but I really don't see any other alternative. Maybe some of the others here in the forum have some brighter ideas ! Let us know how you made out Happy Sailing
Dave LaPere PS There maybe someone out here in the forum has a sling to loan for your move? If so speak up people !!! There is a boat searching for a new home here and they need our help
Hi There, Well after reading your dilema and understanding you would like to own the boat and bring it home right this instant as all new boat owners would like to do, Stop, take a deep breath and mull this over in your mind . First , how did the previous owner remove the boat from the trailer in the first place ? Secondly, if he has some great skill for removing the boat and placed on stands let him demonstrate them after you get the trailer repaired. Meaning , if the boat is what you want then buy it and arrange for the repair to be made while the boat stays right where it is for the time being. It's really not going to go anywhere, and neither is your right to the boat once the papers are signed. Now then, worst possibility ? Having to hire a crane to come out and usuing a sling either rented or purchased lift the boat onto the trailer. The cost here in California varies. If you have your own sling maybe 100.00. If not then the cost of the sling and the crane. Depending on how far this crane has to come to do the job and return.? Some companies will charge you so much per mile outside their general area. Others will not and just do it for a flat rate and to boast "We can move boats anywhere" They might even take a picture for their advertisement. Well I know this probably has confused you even more then you already are, but I really don't see any other alternative. Maybe some of the others here in the forum have some brighter ideas ! Let us know how you made out Happy Sailing
Dave LaPere PS There maybe someone out here in the forum has a sling to loan for your move? If so speak up people !!! There is a boat searching for a new home here and they need our helpHis problem or yours??
I think you have several choices. First - this is his boat and his problem unless and until you buy the boat and trailer. You can insist on his having the trailer fixed and the boat placed on it as a condition precedent to the completion of any sale. In addition you can specify that the risk of loss will be borne by him until the boat is safely on the repaired trailer in good condition. Under this scenario, assuming everything goes ok, when the boat is safely on the fixed trailer you give him the money and drive away with your new boat. If everything does not go okay . . . well that loud crunching sound when the boat fell while he was trying to get it on the trailer is his problem. You may want to be there to watch while he moves it to the trailer, should be a good show. ( I know I am sounding cynical here, but we all know the good chuckles we have provided to others as we learned how to do things . . and still provide from time to time. . .) Second alternative, decide what the boat is worth with the unrepaired trailer, and deduct from the price you will pay him the cost of having the boat lifted professionally onto the trailer when repaired from the purchase price. That way you transfer the cost to him. He is faced by this problem whether he sells to you or someone else so . . . . Third, buy a new trailer that you can trust for years and have the boat lifted onto it and follow #2 above on the pricing. Fourth . . . . When I got my first boat I was asked a simple question. . . Did I know the definition of a boat? The "correct" answer I was told was that a boat is a hole in the water surrounded by wood, fiberglass, etc., into which one throws endless amounts of money. That being the case, the cost of getting the boat lifted is just another one of those expenses that we all end up paying to enjoy our boats. If I sound terribly cynical here, I am sitting down this evening to write out a big check to the marina for slip fees, winter storage, lifting the boat in this summer and back out this fall, etc. . . . . Good luck and enjoy the boat.
I think you have several choices. First - this is his boat and his problem unless and until you buy the boat and trailer. You can insist on his having the trailer fixed and the boat placed on it as a condition precedent to the completion of any sale. In addition you can specify that the risk of loss will be borne by him until the boat is safely on the repaired trailer in good condition. Under this scenario, assuming everything goes ok, when the boat is safely on the fixed trailer you give him the money and drive away with your new boat. If everything does not go okay . . . well that loud crunching sound when the boat fell while he was trying to get it on the trailer is his problem. You may want to be there to watch while he moves it to the trailer, should be a good show. ( I know I am sounding cynical here, but we all know the good chuckles we have provided to others as we learned how to do things . . and still provide from time to time. . .) Second alternative, decide what the boat is worth with the unrepaired trailer, and deduct from the price you will pay him the cost of having the boat lifted professionally onto the trailer when repaired from the purchase price. That way you transfer the cost to him. He is faced by this problem whether he sells to you or someone else so . . . . Third, buy a new trailer that you can trust for years and have the boat lifted onto it and follow #2 above on the pricing. Fourth . . . . When I got my first boat I was asked a simple question. . . Did I know the definition of a boat? The "correct" answer I was told was that a boat is a hole in the water surrounded by wood, fiberglass, etc., into which one throws endless amounts of money. That being the case, the cost of getting the boat lifted is just another one of those expenses that we all end up paying to enjoy our boats. If I sound terribly cynical here, I am sitting down this evening to write out a big check to the marina for slip fees, winter storage, lifting the boat in this summer and back out this fall, etc. . . . . Good luck and enjoy the boat.
boat on trailer
I cannot imagine why anyone would buy a boat without first putting the boat in the water to check the integrity of the hull
I cannot imagine why anyone would buy a boat without first putting the boat in the water to check the integrity of the hull
Thanks to all...
Thank you all for your responses to our dillema. After some research, we have located a company that will move the boat home for about $600. We were able to use this information to get the package deal very reasonably. I agree with you Ken, that it would be nice to put the boat in the water to check the integrity of the hull. I guess, though, if I had to choose between seeing the boat in or out of the water, I would choose out so I could check the condition of the keel and hull (which are both very clean). The owner seems very honest and has been super accomodating, so we are going to go with our guts, trust in human nature and hope all works for the best. (Silly, aren't we!) Thanks again for your help!) Paula
Thank you all for your responses to our dillema. After some research, we have located a company that will move the boat home for about $600. We were able to use this information to get the package deal very reasonably. I agree with you Ken, that it would be nice to put the boat in the water to check the integrity of the hull. I guess, though, if I had to choose between seeing the boat in or out of the water, I would choose out so I could check the condition of the keel and hull (which are both very clean). The owner seems very honest and has been super accomodating, so we are going to go with our guts, trust in human nature and hope all works for the best. (Silly, aren't we!) Thanks again for your help!
) Paulahello again
Hi Paula...................... Yes....... I agree with you .......... seeing the boat on land and in the water would be the best all around. For about $1000 you could probably get a pretty good reliable trailer. Since it will cost you $600 to have it moved once......... maybe you could invest that $600 toward a trailer....... and you could kill 2 birds with one stone. If you didn't live so far away...... I would loan you my trailer to get it home. I wish you the very best ....... hope that boat turns out to be a solid purchase for you and your family. ken in sacramento kenbernard@earthlink.net
Hi Paula...................... Yes....... I agree with you .......... seeing the boat on land and in the water would be the best all around. For about $1000 you could probably get a pretty good reliable trailer. Since it will cost you $600 to have it moved once......... maybe you could invest that $600 toward a trailer....... and you could kill 2 birds with one stone. If you didn't live so far away...... I would loan you my trailer to get it home. I wish you the very best ....... hope that boat turns out to be a solid purchase for you and your family. ken in sacramento kenbernard@earthlink.net
Get Lucky
Dear Paula: Your situation sounds very familiar,my Fiancee' and I rented a hoo-hoo lift and it worked great.Best of wishes and many years of happy sailing together.
Dear Paula: Your situation sounds very familiar,my Fiancee' and I rented a hoo-hoo lift and it worked great.Best of wishes and many years of happy sailing together.
Back On The Trailer
Well now...The first time I had my Catalina 22 home I lifted it off the trailer to perform maint. on the trailer and keel. It is not a big deal really! You will need one or better yet two automotive hydraulic floor jacks. You will also need timbers (railroad ties work very well here). I cut mine into 3ft sections using a chain saw. But you will need one at least 9 to 10 feet long to allow you to drive the trailer out from under the boat once it is raised sufficiently. The lifting operation should be performed on a flat hard surface (driveway?). Raise one end of the hull off the trailer and support with timbers on the ground. Repeat until the stern rests on a tower of timbers and the bow rests on the long timber which is supported on the ends. Be sure you space the front two towers of timbers far enough appart to allow the trailer to be driven out. Simple...really it is quite simple if you plan it out and take your time...but above all be safe!
Well now...The first time I had my Catalina 22 home I lifted it off the trailer to perform maint. on the trailer and keel. It is not a big deal really! You will need one or better yet two automotive hydraulic floor jacks. You will also need timbers (railroad ties work very well here). I cut mine into 3ft sections using a chain saw. But you will need one at least 9 to 10 feet long to allow you to drive the trailer out from under the boat once it is raised sufficiently. The lifting operation should be performed on a flat hard surface (driveway?). Raise one end of the hull off the trailer and support with timbers on the ground. Repeat until the stern rests on a tower of timbers and the bow rests on the long timber which is supported on the ends. Be sure you space the front two towers of timbers far enough appart to allow the trailer to be driven out. Simple...really it is quite simple if you plan it out and take your time...but above all be safe!
Long Shoreman ?
Mel, after reading your article, I have to ask , are you a Long Shoreman ? I can picture what you describe being done by a guy 6'6"-7' tall and about 285 lbs. ( just kidding ) lol, It's a great idea ! By the way how is Lake St Clair ? I haven't sailed there in years but am coming back to visit in the spring. Happy Sailing Dave LaPere
Mel, after reading your article, I have to ask , are you a Long Shoreman ? I can picture what you describe being done by a guy 6'6"-7' tall and about 285 lbs. ( just kidding ) lol, It's a great idea ! By the way how is Lake St Clair ? I haven't sailed there in years but am coming back to visit in the spring. Happy Sailing
Dave LaPere- Status