wanting to start work on my boat ...

[bsteckel]

what is the best way to get my boat off my trailer and on some sturdy blocks in my driveway so i can start work on the repower? i want to make sure it is safely blocked up as i have kids and do not want to take any chances.

what is the best thing to use for blocks and where should the boat be blocked to be supported properly for working and climbing in and out?

I have a 20' center console and my trailer is a single axle with rollers.

thanks

Brad

btw. this is my second post after buying the boat yesterday!!! this site is the best!!!!!!

[tsubaki]

Repowering is usually best done with the trailer under the boat.
You can lower or raise the transom as needed or to move the carcass in order to remove or add the new powerup, etc, etc.
Best thing is to block the wheels (both sides) and put a doughnut under the tonguejack wheel.
I need help to understand the need to remove the boat from the trailer.

[bsteckel]

the need to remove the boat from the trailer arises more for the work that i need to do on the trailer as well as the bottom of the boat .. i need to get the old bottom paint off and clean it up. also the trailer is in need of new rollers, etc.

pictures are coming.

thanks

[Bygracealone]

Tsubaki is right if you're simply attempting to remove an old motor and install another one...

If you really want to know how to remove the boat from the trailer, do a search on the forum. I recall Skool's Out posting a frame by frame illustration of how to do it not very long ago...

[tsubaki]

Yes, I wouldn't try a threesome.
Remove the boat maybe after removing the motor,sit the boat on the ground, repair the trailer, winch the boat back on the trailer, start bottom paint with the trailer supporting a portion of the load at a time then repower.
All of this can be done with an inexpensive motor hoist.

[Bygracealone]

I've got one of these, but I bought it during one of their sales...

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=35915

Here's the same one, but it doesn't fold up:

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=7620

And here's the one ton version; this would definitely work too

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=93840

[macojoe]

As with the rest I say one thing at a time.

1. get the motor off the boat
2. boat off the trailer
3. fix the trailer
4. put boat back on the trailer
5. install new power.

Wil be much easier to get the boat on and off without the weight and leanth of the motor.

For blocks, depends how high you want it off the ground?? Cinder blocks with some wood to cushion the boat. If you need to get it a little higher cause you want to sand and paint the bottom then go with stands.

Motor lift above can be rented at any rental place for 1/2 and hole days. I think at mine it was like $25 1/2 and $35 for the hole day.
But then the way you are going you will need to rent twice, so for about half the cost of the ones above. if you have the room buy your own, always good to have at the ready!!

[bsteckel]

thanks for the info. anyone built their own stands? are they expensive? i do not want to drop a whole lot of money on stands for (hopefully) a one time use.


thanks

[tsubaki]

If you haven't had experience with them be careful. The high center of gravity on outboards will fool you.
Moving them even (especially) if on rollers will be hairey.
I've made a couple for under 35hp and have 2 that will handle v6 outboards.
It's best to have help and an engine hoist to move them around while using the stand also.
If you can't find one already made to borrow or purchase at least look hard at one before making your own.

[bsteckel]

thanks for the adivce ..


how about stands for the boat???? .. i have seen some that look height adjustable and also angle adjustable to put under the boat for working on the bottom

[macojoe]

I had a friend that went to a local boat yard and he rented 4 of them, they have a ton of them this time of the year just doing nothing!!

[nymack66]

As for removing your Boat off the trailer in your driveway is a simple process if correct procedures are followed. I did my all by myself and a six pack.
First please buy 12 concrete blocks free from cracks etc.
Pieces of solid wood and plywood to be use as shown in the pictures.
Observe the piece of plywood on top of the blocks to evenly spread the weight across the blocks. DO NOT USE THESE BLOCKS ON ITS SIDES ONLY AS SHOWN
At all times no jacking directly to the hull (you must use piece of plywood wood in between)
Simply drop the trailer front all the way down to the driveway this will allow the stern or transom to rise to it highest point.
Simply arrange the blocks at the transom on both sides and support evenly by adjusting with wooded pieces, please observe the wood on top of the blocks and the fact its only wood to the hull at all points. If you happen to have old carpets please cut some pieces and place in between the wood and hull even better.
Now jack up the front of the trailer and this will lift the boat 75 % off the trailer.
You now need two floor or bottlenecks jacks, start by placing one in front and jack the front of the hull off the trailer, support it with solid support then slowly move the trailer out. You will need to swap the front support to work the trailer out (the reason for the two jacks or one jack and supports) out this you will figure it out once you started
It will take one person about two hours to complete.
After removing the trailer the more support you give it the better.
Please note my hull is been sanded down for a restoration project, at no point am I inside walking around on a minimal support as shown.

[charlie_the_tuna]

thats basically the way i did it. jacked the hull up and slid the trailer out from underneath, 8 inches at a time. it took a while but it was done right and sturdy. dont use stands. as mentioned before, use 8x8x16 concrete blocks. 2 by 2 by 1.
using wood blocks as shims and to protect the hull. a three point stance.
use a couple 2x6's under the chines up front to make it a bit more stable.

[Bygracealone]

Here's a link to motor stands:

http://www.wellcraftv20.com/community/showthread.php?t=6835&highlight=motor+stand

I've had to make some adjustments to mine since I first built it. I've lowered the top and also raised the horizontal pieces in the front and back bottom in order to make clearance for the feet of the engine hoist...

It doesn't look as nice as it first did, but it works a whole lot better...