How to Drop boat off trailer without water

[kscheffler]

Thought you RV guys might have an idea to accomplish this. I want to work on my boat trailer without the boat but I do not want to leave the boat in the water while I am working on the trailer; two to three weeks. I want to use my boat trailer as cargo carrier once per year for a hunting trip. Anyway I have a 850 pound aluminum boat (crestliner) with an additional 250 pounds of motor. I was thinking about just sliding the boat off on some timbers. Basically tip the trailer up and start slide the boat off on to 6x6 timbers while pulling the trailer ahead. I would prefer to come up with a cheap jacking method but all my ideas require 4 jacks and I am not too sure how stable this approach would be. I also do not have access to trees or strong garage beams to lift the boat vertical with come-alongs or ropes and pulley's. If any one has any ideas I would appreciate any input... thanks kts

 

[litespeed]

I have a small (15 ft. ) Boston Whaler. I have been there recently to paint the bottom.



I just jacked up the hull in the front. Slid a 8' 4x4 post under the boat and set the 4x4 on some concrete blocks. Did the same with middle and the rear. Then you can just drive the trailer out from under the boat. I had to take the uprights off the trailer. But that was easy. Just be sure you jack the boat higher than the bunks so the boat and timbers clear when you drive the trailer out.



AJ

 

[kscheffler]

so the concrete blocks sit out-board of the trailer wheels so you can drive out? I like this... thanks

 

[bighammer]

I had to acid wash the bottom of my 22' Larson bowrider and got the trailer out of the way by jacking the rear (near the corners) and 2 forward points along the keel. As the trailer was pulled out, I had to sort of hopscotch the forward supports around the axles.

 

[JZellers]

I've done something similar with boats and Waverunners in the past. Assuming the boat overhangs the back of the trailer a little, I raise the tongue jack at least two inches, preferrably 3-4, then jack up the rear of the trailer. Set stands/blocks under the transom, then I use a portable saw horse (the kind that fold up and dissassemble) with a long 2x6 or 2x8 that's wider than the trailer. I've had luck either hanging the bow from the bow eye or resting the bow on the saw horse depending on how much room you have around the winch.



After you lower the tounge jack and the back of the trailer you can pull it out from under the boat. I like to add a jackstand under the keel for safety.

 

[litespeed]

so the concrete blocks sit out-board of the trailer wheels so you can drive out? I like this... thanks

Yes... ... You got the picture. Suprisingly easy.



AJ