Any tips on "how to" paint the bottom while she's on the trailer? Is it safe & strong enough to use a scissors type jack from a car?
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Bob Teeter
Painting the bottom while on the trailer
I had a 22 many years ago and did what you are attempting to do. What I did seemed to work. First you need to make sure you can tie off the front of the boat at the pad eye and that it is secure, as I recall, I used a chain. Next you put the trailer tongue on the ground. This will put the boat stern as high as possible. Block the rear of the boat up in the air. then jack the the trailer tongue up and you will have the boat suspended between the pad eye on the bow and the stern. If you want to move the trailer out from under the boat you can also block the bow up and then move it out. I was able to paint the bottom of my 22 this way and also was albe to work on the keel. Good luck and don't take any chances.
I had a 22 many years ago and did what you are attempting to do. What I did seemed to work. First you need to make sure you can tie off the front of the boat at the pad eye and that it is secure, as I recall, I used a chain. Next you put the trailer tongue on the ground. This will put the boat stern as high as possible. Block the rear of the boat up in the air. then jack the the trailer tongue up and you will have the boat suspended between the pad eye on the bow and the stern. If you want to move the trailer out from under the boat you can also block the bow up and then move it out. I was able to paint the bottom of my 22 this way and also was albe to work on the keel. Good luck and don't take any chances.
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Jay Beery
Bottom Paint
I can see by the blue paint on my trailer that the former owner did in fact paint the bottom while on the trailer. I happen to have a roller type trailer and have had to move the boat aft to replace the bow ring and backing block. After giving the trailer winch a little slack I started off in reverse and tapped the brakes. The boat moved a couple inches aft on the trailer. Three or four tries at this and I had the boat back a foot or so and could work at the bow. I think the former owner did just this after painting all he could reach, then backed up the boat on the trailer and hit the spots he missed. Just be sure the keel is winched up off the trailer. Good Luck, and be gentle!
I can see by the blue paint on my trailer that the former owner did in fact paint the bottom while on the trailer. I happen to have a roller type trailer and have had to move the boat aft to replace the bow ring and backing block. After giving the trailer winch a little slack I started off in reverse and tapped the brakes. The boat moved a couple inches aft on the trailer. Three or four tries at this and I had the boat back a foot or so and could work at the bow. I think the former owner did just this after painting all he could reach, then backed up the boat on the trailer and hit the spots he missed. Just be sure the keel is winched up off the trailer. Good Luck, and be gentle!
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Nukesailor
Painting the bottom on trailer
I have done this a few times with my Cat 22. Several years ago I made adjustible supports out of 2 x 4's and 1/2" bolts to support the boat above the trailer (a Triad trailer). With the boat on the trailer, lift the stern using the trailer tongue jack (adjust the jack down and the stern comes up) and adjust and place the stern support as far under the stern as you can. Then, raise the tongue to lift the bow and adjust and place the bow support. Ease the jack down and the boat is now supported on the supports and should be a few inches above the trailer bunks. Remove the bunks and start prepping and painting. When done except for where the supports are, put the trailer bunks back and set the boat on the trailer again using the above process in reverse. Then finish the spots where the supports were. Also, with the boat suspended above the trailer, it's a good time to check the keel pin. Use a hydraulic car jack to lower and raise the keel. Due to the design of the keel, you can lower it until the pin is clear of the bottom and the keel will not fall out of the trunk. With the car jack pumped up, remove the 4 keel bolts. Ease the keel down until the pin clears the hull, remove the pin. I would suggest simply replacing the pin (1" silicon bronze) and keel bolts (stainless), rather than just inspecting. Keep the old ones for spares. As I said, I've done this a few times (and I need to do it again soon!) and it works.
I have done this a few times with my Cat 22. Several years ago I made adjustible supports out of 2 x 4's and 1/2" bolts to support the boat above the trailer (a Triad trailer). With the boat on the trailer, lift the stern using the trailer tongue jack (adjust the jack down and the stern comes up) and adjust and place the stern support as far under the stern as you can. Then, raise the tongue to lift the bow and adjust and place the bow support. Ease the jack down and the boat is now supported on the supports and should be a few inches above the trailer bunks. Remove the bunks and start prepping and painting. When done except for where the supports are, put the trailer bunks back and set the boat on the trailer again using the above process in reverse. Then finish the spots where the supports were. Also, with the boat suspended above the trailer, it's a good time to check the keel pin. Use a hydraulic car jack to lower and raise the keel. Due to the design of the keel, you can lower it until the pin is clear of the bottom and the keel will not fall out of the trunk. With the car jack pumped up, remove the 4 keel bolts. Ease the keel down until the pin clears the hull, remove the pin. I would suggest simply replacing the pin (1" silicon bronze) and keel bolts (stainless), rather than just inspecting. Keep the old ones for spares. As I said, I've done this a few times (and I need to do it again soon!) and it works.
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Randy
You can do it
Although the only boat I painted on a trailer was a Newport 17 (not a C-22!), I used to use a six inch roller, paint everything I could reach, then slide the boat back 6-12" on the trailer, and cover the rest. As careful as you are, though, you always get some drips on the trailer frame, so be prepared. Painting this way works with a minimum of effort. If your hull requires major scraping or sanding, you may find it worth the trouble to block the boat up, giving you unrestricted access to most of the hull. Randy
Although the only boat I painted on a trailer was a Newport 17 (not a C-22!), I used to use a six inch roller, paint everything I could reach, then slide the boat back 6-12" on the trailer, and cover the rest. As careful as you are, though, you always get some drips on the trailer frame, so be prepared. Painting this way works with a minimum of effort. If your hull requires major scraping or sanding, you may find it worth the trouble to block the boat up, giving you unrestricted access to most of the hull. Randy
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WIND STAR
TRAILER BOTTOM PAINTING
Jack up trailer, 2 blocks high. Build reinforced cradle under boat. Remove tires from trailer and drop trailer down to ground. Re-finish bottom. Do some emotional bonding with bottom of boat. Reverse process, good to go....
Jack up trailer, 2 blocks high. Build reinforced cradle under boat. Remove tires from trailer and drop trailer down to ground. Re-finish bottom. Do some emotional bonding with bottom of boat. Reverse process, good to go....
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David Wilson
try this
I have just figured this method out, while the boat is off the trailer, but have not tried it. But I am sure it will work: I have 4 long padded hull supports on my trailer. I have replaced the bolts holding them in place with new ones, so they can be loosened with ease. Next spring I plan to jack up a part of the boat and unbolt one support, paint the bottom, let it dry, and put the support back on. I will do this 4 times. Should work. Good luck.
I have just figured this method out, while the boat is off the trailer, but have not tried it. But I am sure it will work: I have 4 long padded hull supports on my trailer. I have replaced the bolts holding them in place with new ones, so they can be loosened with ease. Next spring I plan to jack up a part of the boat and unbolt one support, paint the bottom, let it dry, and put the support back on. I will do this 4 times. Should work. Good luck.
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Steve
Jack stands
Break down and buy (or borrow) four boat jack stands. They are safe and work well to lift the 22 right off the trailer so you can work on the bottom. Things are so much easier when you have the right tools.......
Break down and buy (or borrow) four boat jack stands. They are safe and work well to lift the 22 right off the trailer so you can work on the bottom. Things are so much easier when you have the right tools.......
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John Ferguson
what didn't work
I'm in the process of bottom painting myself. Yesterday I tried a different technique- I went to a nearby boat ramp and tried to reset the boat crooked on the trailer. Wouldn't you know it- the one time you want the boat not to sit evenly, it kept flaoting nicely to the center. I looked rather silly to the other boaters waiting to use the ramp too. The best I could do didn't clear all the pads I've painted around already. Time to try plan B- use a Jack and support with spare wood.
I'm in the process of bottom painting myself. Yesterday I tried a different technique- I went to a nearby boat ramp and tried to reset the boat crooked on the trailer. Wouldn't you know it- the one time you want the boat not to sit evenly, it kept flaoting nicely to the center. I looked rather silly to the other boaters waiting to use the ramp too. The best I could do didn't clear all the pads I've painted around already. Time to try plan B- use a Jack and support with spare wood.
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