Moving off trailer onto blocks

[codprawn]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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

[chewy]

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