Moving off trailer onto blocks

codprawn · 21 November 2008, 17:39

I know this has been discussed before but can't find it.

How easy and safe is it to do this? I thought of attaching the boat to a wall and slowly tirforing out the trailer adding blocks as I go.

And how easy is it to put the thing back on the trailer again afterwards???

The blocks for the keel are easy enough I suppose but what about the side supports - most yards use adjustable props - I don't have any so what is the normal choice?

Tim M · 21 November 2008, 17:51

Easy (well, I've never tried with a 9m before). The easiest way I've found to get the boat off the trailer is to get a ratchet strap, hook it onto the bow eye, then attach the other end to the rear of the trailer and winch back. I moved an Arctic 22 several feet this way without much hassle. Getting it back onto the trailer should be quite easy with a hard-core enough winch. I'm planning to get my 6.5 off it's trailer onto a small cradle using this method in a few weeks.

Paul Glatzel · 21 November 2008, 17:56

Codprawn

Hi, I have done this quite often and as long as you take it slowly and with great care i've never had an issue.

Boat from trailer

I secure the boat to something then slowly move the trailer forward with the vehicle - this is generally a two person job. I use the winch plus a back up line to ensure the boat doesn't roll off too quick. I support the keel then build up blocks either side below the transom which supports it laterally. Its pretty easy to make it very very stable.

Boat onto trailer

Ironically i find this much easier. I tend to have the trailer unattached from the vehicle get the rollers around the bow area and slowly winch the trailer under the boat having once again secured the boat at the rear. The boat rides up onto the trailer and i remove the blocks as I go. Be careful though to ensure i) Everything is on the level + keep chocks around the wheels limiting movement. ii) There will come a point where the trailer nose wants to rise to you need to restrain it.

Disclaimer of every once of liability follows: "For the avoidence of doubt such methods do not feature on any RYA course and i'm not warranting this method as safe!"

Hope this helps

Regards

Paul

Downhilldai · 21 November 2008, 18:15

Hey Codo.....................or should I say 'Hay' Codo

That's what I use anyway: 4 bales of hay should do the job fine. Cheap, soft, light and after you've finished, you can feed 'em to yerr 'orse

Let me know if you need a hand

codprawn · 21 November 2008, 18:20

Quote:

Originally Posted by Downhilldai

Hey Codo.....................or should I say 'Hay' Codo

That's what I use anyway: 4 bales of hay should do the job fine. Cheap, soft, light and after you've finished, you can feed 'em to yerr 'orse

Let me know if you need a hand

Good idea - better still i could use the stuff to pack my laboratory glassware afterwards. Trouble is it sounds a bit messy and my boat is over 2 tons so they may squash a bit.

Downhilldai · 21 November 2008, 18:29

The hay won't squash - think of a sstack of hay on a lorry or in a barn.
If you want to avoid any mess, put the bales into wool sacks, or wrap them in bubble wrap, or polythene.

Best to winch the boat off the back of the trailer using your Tirfor, or attach the boat to something solid and pull the trailer out gently using your Disco. The hull is quite long, so you'll have a fair bit of it off the trailer before the back end starts to drop - plenty of room to get the first pair of bales into place.

codprawn · 21 November 2008, 18:30

Quote:

Originally Posted by Downhilldai

The hay won't squash - think of a sstack of hay on a lorry or in a barn.
If you want to avoid any mess, put the bales into wool sacks, or wrap them in bubble wrap, or polythene.

Best to winch the boat off the back of the trailer using your Tirfor, or attach the boat to something solid and pull the trailer out gently using your Disco. The hull is quite long, so you'll have a fair bit of it off the trailer before the back end starts to drop - plenty of room to get the first pair of bales into place.

I may well give you a shout when I am ready - waiting for a trailer at the moment!!!

Nasher · 21 November 2008, 20:21

I've not done this with my own boat, but helped Rogue wave take his Scorp off my trailer when I brought it from him.

As has been said already, attach the stern to something solid then drive the trailer away slowly.
Rogue Wave had some large plywood 'V' Blocks covered in carpet that were easy to position under the stern and amidships. they had the advantage of holding the boat up at almost trailer height which makes winching the boat back on much easier afterwards.

Nasher.

Cypman · 21 November 2008, 23:40

If you have no suitable chocks, old car tyres are a great alternative.

chewy · 22 November 2008, 09:16

Depending on when you want to do it I'm working in Swansea at the moment if you need a hand?

codprawn · 22 November 2008, 13:27

Quote:

Originally Posted by chewy

Depending on when you want to do it I'm working in Swansea at the moment if you need a hand?

It's great to see all the offers of help - I have a 6 week wait for a trailer though!!!

It will take me that long to make enough space - anyone want a lovely wooden GP14 sailing boat for next to nothing???

Stoo · 22 November 2008, 14:08

Those of you that have done this... do your trailers have rollers? I use bunks and I am wondering if this might make it that much harder... especially trying to get it back onto the trailer...

I wonder about doing this every year as my boat will fit into my garage if I remove the A-fame and take it off the trailer. I've even considered sorting out some kind of frame and hoist inside the garage so I could just hoist it off, but I suspect that that's more trouble than it's worth...

Downhilldai · 22 November 2008, 15:02

If you need to take it off the trailer to fit it in your garage, where is the benefit of having the hoist inside the garage?

Stoo · 22 November 2008, 17:53

Quote:

Originally Posted by Downhilldai

If you need to take it off the trailer to fit it in your garage, where is the benefit of having the hoist inside the garage?

LOL... I can back it in, but the trailer tongue sticks way out and I'm not keen to saw a hole in the door for it~ So I figure I could back it in, hoist it onto some blocks and pull the trailer back out.

At my old place, I would store it in the garage for the winter, but pushed the boat in nose first, and stuck the tongue out a hole in the back wall and into a garden. In my new place, the trailer would stick into the bathroom!

Poly · 22 November 2008, 18:23

Quote:

Originally Posted by codprawn

anyone want a lovely wooden GP14 sailing boat for next to nothing???

cod - I know someone who was talking about changing over his boat to a GP14 for next season, i assume he was thinking of a 2nd hand GRP one but if its in good nick he might be interested. I can put the two of you in touch if you want.

Neil

codprawn · 22 November 2008, 19:02

Quote:

Originally Posted by Polwart

cod - I know someone who was talking about changing over his boat to a GP14 for next season, i assume he was thinking of a 2nd hand GRP one but if its in good nick he might be interested. I can put the two of you in touch if you want.

Neil

Yes please - the only snag is that there is no trailer for it. I could deliver a reasonable distance using my mate's car trailer.

the boat is stunning - just needs a bit of revarnishing in places. it's never been on the water - was built by a technical college as a project and never been outside!!!

I would keep it but I need the room - unless I work out a way to hang it from the ceiling - the beams are huge steel girders!!!

Downhilldai · 22 November 2008, 19:09

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stoo

... I can back it in, but the trailer tongue sticks way out and I'm not keen to saw a hole in the door for it

Ah, I see - it's a length, rather than height issue.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stoo

.. In my new place, the trailer would stick into the bathroom!

Something to hang your towels on.....

Poly · 22 November 2008, 19:48

Quote:

Originally Posted by codprawn

Yes please - the only snag is that there is no trailer for it. I could deliver a reasonable distance using my mate's car trailer.

OK will pass it on... he should be able to move it if he is interested as he has an RS400 and his mate has a couple of herons... he wants a gp14 as thats the standard boat they race at his club.

chewy · 22 November 2008, 21:35

Quote:

Originally Posted by codprawn

It's great to see all the offers of help - I have a 6 week wait for a trailer though!!!

It will take me that long to make enough space - anyone want a lovely wooden GP14 sailing boat for next to nothing???

I'll probably be around til January/February time mate. I'm available on nights and my wife sometimes comes down during my time off so I can help you then too.

Let me know if you need a hand and when and I'll see what I can do?

ShinyShoe · 23 November 2008, 09:11

Polwart is right - was looking for some plastic for maintainability.

Any idea if there are sails, mast etc? And what nick they are in?

And what's she painted and varnished with -? 1 part or 2?

Presumably no covers?

What about bouyancy bags, sail no and measurement certificate?