Quick fix trailering?

[jmark]

Hi,
I am new to sailboats and the activities involved in maintaining and moving them. I want to get a sailboat, beneteau 235, out of the water and to my home to start repairs. It has an 8' 2" beam and a 3' 8" fixed keel. I am not totally sure this boat will be worth the effort to restore yet so I want to avoid spending $$$ on a trailer before evaluating the boat further. There is a local marine business that says he can make the lift for me. However he is not really interested in sitting around while I start trying to build a trailer. It is only about 2 miles from my home. Straight flat and not much traffic. Would it be possible to take a flatbed trailer of say 18' and set the boat on portable jackstands bolted to the bed ? Then a couple of wratchet straps over the boat to the trailer sides. I can borrow a trailer and buy the stands.

 

[watercolors II]

Go for it!

Having trailered a sailboat for 20 years and being around many others for those years I would say you have a good idea.

Friend had a 235, this would be about 4 boats ago, very nice boat, the only problems he had was cracks developed between the bottom of the stern and the hull. The stern sat in about 1/2 inch and looked like it was not moulded in at the same time as the hull.

 

[kenn]

Does the boat have a crib or cradle? That would be a better option for flatbed.

More generally...moving it all depends on what the boat needs by way of fixes. If the hull is sound, no cracks/leaks/holes, then personally I would do the minimum necessary to be able to leave the boat floating, and do the work that way. You might even be able to get some sailing in once the most pressing repairs are done.

I wouldn't consider such a boat as really 'trailerable', so you should carefully evaluate whether you need a trailer at this point, or at all. A cradle might be a better initial investment.

 

[Joe]

I'd be more inclined to build a cradle, secure it to the trailer then lift the boat onto the cradle. Jackstands seem a bit more complicated.

 

[Merlin Clark]

I agree with Joe. I moved a 32' Rhodes Traveller on a storage cradle that was made out of pressure treated 4x4s and 2x8s, bolted together not screwed or nailed.
No problems, we strapped the cradle to the boat and lifted everything at once. Did this three times; out of the POs yard and onto a flatbed tractor trailer, from the trailer to my yard and finally out of my yard. That boat was around 16k lbs.
The PO was an engineer and had done a great job on the cradle.

 

[Tom Hoffman]

FYI Here is a 26' boat and trailer for $2000 she looks ocean capable. Little TLC and you might have a nice boat. She is in the Houston area.

http://houston.craigslist.org/boa/2367824045.html

 

[jmark]

Thanks for the responses folks. I think the crib idea might be best.
I guess the idea would be to set it on 2 4X4 rails built up high enough to get the keel clear.
Leaving it in the water is not a good option for me now. Marina services are kinda slim around here since the flood. Even the newer rebuilds have no shore power yet. Also it may take me some time to do the repairs. I believe the hull is in good shape. I'll keep you posted as the project continues.
Again thanks for the input.

 

[rgranger]

I'm with Hoffman

A boat that old is always free. What you are buying is the trailer, sails and outboard.

 

[Ron20324]

Thanks for the responses folks. I think the crib idea might be best. t.

The B235 has a terrific web site. I used to have a 235.

 

[jmark]

the plot thickens

Yes I am discovering the "free' expensive of an old boat quickly. So far I have registered it $90. Was just going to title and reg. later but it has to be moved which means likely intercept with the Coast Guard, Game Warden, or Serriffs Dept., they are thick as fleas here since 911 and tickets are how they pay for added time on the water. Then there is safety equip. $50. Bumpers $60. Gas back and forth to the store, marina, TPW office $75. Tried to move it this evening and the wind was howling so it was a wasted trip...the beat goes on. ANYway as to the subject of this thread again thanks for the advice. Found a manufactured aluminum cradle $1300 delivered (JOWI brand name). Rather than try to build something out of wood, I have to get real about my time. I am rebuilding my home from the flood damage, + work, + family, sleep and eat maybe? I am sure noone else has these problems right? Looks like the cradle willl work on a lowboy trailer. There is going to be time spent reworking the boat through at least one upcoming hurricane season while on the dry. I can borrow the lowboy and another bud has a tractor fork lift to get it on the ground. Not sure how much beer that will cost me. So now I have to find out how much mooring fees are at the marina I was trying to tow the boat from and wait till the wind and weather gods alllow me to move it.
I registered for the 235 web site over a week ago got acknowlgement by email of the same along with a note that it would have to be reviewed before activated. That was supposed to be followed up by another email that has not happened yet. (?)

 

[mark_swart]

Might want to send your info back to the admin at the F235 site, or maybe check to see if the reply went into your junk mail.

In the case of the 235, you have a great boat that is a cult classic. After you get into the 235 site you'll have a better idea. People go nuts on those little boats and they are worth the time and effort to fix up. Nice ones with trailers and good sails easily go for over $10K.