Ok mates, let's get those creative ideas flowing. It's spring here in NY and I need to get my Venture 21 bottom painted. This boat sets low in the trailer as it has a swing keel. The issue is "how to get it raised up so I could get the hull and keel all painted?" Besides going to a yard and paying, of course. Does anyone have any tips, tricks or devices to aid in this process? Thanks in advance for all your positive feedback.
- Status
simply remove...
Having owned a TR-3 back in the seventies, I have a love for the English car shop manuals. They invariably gave instructions like "loosen all bolts with a 3/8" spanner and then using tool number PCK482157 simply remove the assembly." The catch was, who had one? In reading MArks link, tool number PCK482157 apparently inserts the sawhorses between the boat and the trailer. On most Mac trailers, however, the boat sits in it, not on it. The Oday probably sits high enough on the trailer to stick supports directly under the boat. I think the Mac-21 would have to be blocked up (at least the bow) inside the trailer frame temporarily, in order to lower the trailer and get the beams between them. Then the blocks are removed and the trailer rolls free.
Having owned a TR-3 back in the seventies, I have a love for the English car shop manuals. They invariably gave instructions like "loosen all bolts with a 3/8" spanner and then using tool number PCK482157 simply remove the assembly." The catch was, who had one? In reading MArks link, tool number PCK482157 apparently inserts the sawhorses between the boat and the trailer. On most Mac trailers, however, the boat sits in it, not on it. The Oday probably sits high enough on the trailer to stick supports directly under the boat. I think the Mac-21 would have to be blocked up (at least the bow) inside the trailer frame temporarily, in order to lower the trailer and get the beams between them. Then the blocks are removed and the trailer rolls free.
Thanks!!!
Thanks gentlemen for some great ideas (and fast replies). Mark, I think the horses will work. The plans, pics and text really clarifies the process. And John, your point is valid and true in my case. I'll have to compensate for it in my plans. Wish me luck! I'm off to the lumber yard.
Thanks gentlemen for some great ideas (and fast replies). Mark, I think the horses will work. The plans, pics and text really clarifies the process. And John, your point is valid and true in my case. I'll have to compensate for it in my plans. Wish me luck! I'm off to the lumber yard.
An inch is as good as a mile
I do not have a Mac, but I built adjustable jack stands out of 6x6's and 3/4" all thread. Short of doing that, this alternate method may work for you. Lower the tongue of the trailer. Using wood or cinder blocks and plywood for cribbing, block up tight under the stern. Raise the tougue as high as possible, and block up under the bow. You should be able to get one of those 1" paint rollers between the bunks and hull. If not you could jack up the axle and put wood under the wheels and try the whole process again. I have also seen a guy mount trailer tongue jacks on the rearward ends of the trailer frame and lift the whole trailer up 6-8 inches, block under the boat and lower the trailer back down. Not knowing how a Mac trailer is set up, I hope one of these methods works for you.
I do not have a Mac, but I built adjustable jack stands out of 6x6's and 3/4" all thread. Short of doing that, this alternate method may work for you. Lower the tongue of the trailer. Using wood or cinder blocks and plywood for cribbing, block up tight under the stern. Raise the tougue as high as possible, and block up under the bow. You should be able to get one of those 1" paint rollers between the bunks and hull. If not you could jack up the axle and put wood under the wheels and try the whole process again. I have also seen a guy mount trailer tongue jacks on the rearward ends of the trailer frame and lift the whole trailer up 6-8 inches, block under the boat and lower the trailer back down. Not knowing how a Mac trailer is set up, I hope one of these methods works for you.
Not what she said
Mac 21/22/25 hulls and trailers present several problems, one of which is that the swing keel is in very tight quarters to paint or do other work on properly. Because the clearances are small, its important to get these areas protected from barnacle buildup, corrosion, etc. Especially near the pivot, its hard to treat surfaces unless the keel is lowered. Some paint could perhaps be applied with a thin swab, if thats all thats needed. Real keel access, however, is pretty impossible with the trailer underneath. On the other hand, once these surfaces are well prepared and coated with a bottom paint that doesn't build, like a multi-launch ablative, it would be possible to touch up most of the hull with some trailer clearance. Unfortunately the parts with the most turbulence are the parts needing more paint, and some of those are the most inaccessable.
Mac 21/22/25 hulls and trailers present several problems, one of which is that the swing keel is in very tight quarters to paint or do other work on properly. Because the clearances are small, its important to get these areas protected from barnacle buildup, corrosion, etc. Especially near the pivot, its hard to treat surfaces unless the keel is lowered. Some paint could perhaps be applied with a thin swab, if thats all thats needed. Real keel access, however, is pretty impossible with the trailer underneath. On the other hand, once these surfaces are well prepared and coated with a bottom paint that doesn't build, like a multi-launch ablative, it would be possible to touch up most of the hull with some trailer clearance. Unfortunately the parts with the most turbulence are the parts needing more paint, and some of those are the most inaccessable.
- Status