Off the trailer....
- Thread starter rgranger
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Very nice.
Looks like you blocked up the stern, then lifted the front enough via straps so you could slide the trailer out from underneath. On the stern end looks like you used some sort padding to conform to hull shape what did you use? Also like that you've supported the keel like you would when trailered. I need to drop the keel on mine and this helps a lot in planning it out. Don't have a nice tree like that to help so will need to make some A frames but I like that I only need to worry about the bow end that helps a lot. Will you block up the bow or just let it hang?
Looks like you blocked up the stern, then lifted the front enough via straps so you could slide the trailer out from underneath. On the stern end looks like you used some sort padding to conform to hull shape what did you use? Also like that you've supported the keel like you would when trailered. I need to drop the keel on mine and this helps a lot in planning it out. Don't have a nice tree like that to help so will need to make some A frames but I like that I only need to worry about the bow end that helps a lot. Will you block up the bow or just let it hang?
Hi Voltz
I lowered the tongue of the trailer as low as I could, then supported the stern on a picnic table (just because I had one I could use). I put a bunch of old life jackets that my kids had outgrown on the picnic table to conform to the hull at the stern, then I raised the tongue until the bow was a few inches higher than the stern and strapped the hull with tow straps to the cross beam. I then lowered the trailer and pulled the trailer out. I did not leave the boat hanging, I blocked the bow as well. Here is a pic (see below). I also included more pics of the support pole (you could easily build two of these. It is surprisingly solid. Just make sure to stake out the struts (see pic).
I lowered the tongue of the trailer as low as I could, then supported the stern on a picnic table (just because I had one I could use). I put a bunch of old life jackets that my kids had outgrown on the picnic table to conform to the hull at the stern, then I raised the tongue until the bow was a few inches higher than the stern and strapped the hull with tow straps to the cross beam. I then lowered the trailer and pulled the trailer out. I did not leave the boat hanging, I blocked the bow as well. Here is a pic (see below). I also included more pics of the support pole (you could easily build two of these. It is surprisingly solid. Just make sure to stake out the struts (see pic).
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Thanks, that helps a lot. I think I may over estimate the surface area needed to support the hull. We get equipment shipped to us with the newer plastic styrofoam, looks like that may do just the trick. I wish we'd get bigger blocks of it as it would be a nice replacement for the older positive floatation stuff in the boat now. Not sure I'm up to all the cutting and pasting necessary to build replacement blocks.
BTW got the rudder extension complete using the one you sent as a pattern looks great hope to be able to get it in the water soon.... thanks,
BTW got the rudder extension complete using the one you sent as a pattern looks great hope to be able to get it in the water soon.... thanks,
I have sprayed cans of great stuff foam into a trash bag for soft form fitting hull supports.
1. place the bag first.
2.leave an inch of space between hull and support.
3.use separate bags for each side.
4. spray the foam into the bag starting at the area farthest from you.
5. use a horizontal sweeping action to aquire a 1" thick platform.
6. wait 5 minutes for the foam to expand.
7. add more layers to reach needed height.
smaller bathroom sized bags work best for me.
makes great packing in cardboard boxes too.
1. place the bag first.
2.leave an inch of space between hull and support.
3.use separate bags for each side.
4. spray the foam into the bag starting at the area farthest from you.
5. use a horizontal sweeping action to aquire a 1" thick platform.
6. wait 5 minutes for the foam to expand.
7. add more layers to reach needed height.
smaller bathroom sized bags work best for me.
makes great packing in cardboard boxes too.
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Very ingenious! I've been using sailboat stands, wood blocks, and a hydraulic jack to raise my boat and get it off the trailer on to the stands for years now. I've come to the conclusion years ago that if there was a way to support the bow as you have done, the job of getting it off the trailer can be easy.
Years ago I was at a local tractor supply and they had some large styrofoam blocks. These are the ones they stick between the trailers when stacking them up on a flatbed for bulk transport. They get them in all the time and usually just throw them away, so if you ask nice they will usually give them to you.. that is how I picked up 4 of them. They work great for supporting boats.. about 2'x2'x3' approx. and covered with a pretty heavy plastic sheathing.
I never thought about using Great Stuff.. and that is a brilliant idea. You could make your own blocks using some plastic sheathing (or a hefty bag) and a cardboard box as the form. Would come in handy to make a few with a slight "V" indentation on top and maybe some that have a slight angle from side to side to better match the hull angle. Thanks for the "Great" idea
Cheers,
Brad
I never thought about using Great Stuff.. and that is a brilliant idea. You could make your own blocks using some plastic sheathing (or a hefty bag) and a cardboard box as the form. Would come in handy to make a few with a slight "V" indentation on top and maybe some that have a slight angle from side to side to better match the hull angle. Thanks for the "Great" idea
Cheers,
Brad
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