supporting boat to pull trailer out from under it to repair a crack

Jul 21, 2025
4
Merit 23 Lake perry ks
I have a Merit 23 on a trailer, it has a small crack near where the trailer supports the back of the boat. I want to pull the trailer out a few feet so I can get to the crack easier and relieve the pressure on the hull in that area. I don't have access to boat jacks. What have you all done to get your boat off your trailer at home?
Keep in mind that I'm in KS, so there aren't many boat yards around here, and not all the clubs allow work in their storage lots.
 
Jan 19, 2010
12,595
Hobie 16 & Rhodes 22 Skeeter Charleston
A 23' boat is not that heavy... done this more than a few times. Find a sturdy oak/maple/etc. tree with a low lying horizontal branch of substantial size. Park the bow under the branch. Lower the trailer jack all the way down and place a picnic table under the transome (stuff a few old life jackets to keep from scratching the hull) and then raise the trailer jack all the way back up.... KEEP THE BOW EYE CONNECTED TO THE WINCH STRAP on the trailer!

When you raise the jack, the transom of the boat will try to lower but the picnick table will be in the way. This will raise the back of your boat off of the trailer pads by a few inches. If that is enough space to get to the work area then you are good to go... if you need more space, then take a sturdy tow ratchet tow strap under the bow of the boat and over that sturdy branch I mentioned above and lift the front of the boat up a few more inches using the tow strap and then pull the trailer out from under your boat.

If you go to my albums page on my profile, you will see some examples of some the different ways I have gotten a boat off of a trailer.