Jacking boat off trailer bunks

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Ixneigh
Admiral
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Joined: Thu Sep 09, 2010 11:00 am
Sailboat: MacGregor 26M
Location: Key largo Florida

Jacking boat off trailer bunks

Post by Ixneigh »

Hi everyone. It this operation (the way I am undertaking it in these pictures) harming the boat? Ive done this once before but i only did it for a few hours. This paint needs an overnight dry.
I am going to be painting the boat yearly now. I would have liked to have the boat at a boatyard on stands, and then launched there after painting, but the yards are so busy with much larger boats these days, that they barely want to talk about my little MacGregor.
Doing this is workable for me, and the bottle jack doesn't require one to be Hercules. The cinder blocks will be replaced with a stand the next time, since they are heavy and there must be safer alternatives.

Thanks
Ix
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"Shoal Idea"
2011 M, white
Tohatsu 20
South Fl.
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rsvpasap
First Officer
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Joined: Fri Dec 13, 2013 2:05 pm
Sailboat: MacGregor 26X
Location: Seattle, WA

Re: Jacking boat off trailer bunks

Post by rsvpasap »

I have used bottle jacks with wood supports a couple of times with no problems. Harbor freight sells flat top jack stands that work particularly well.


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Ixneigh
Admiral
Posts: 2469
Joined: Thu Sep 09, 2010 11:00 am
Sailboat: MacGregor 26M
Location: Key largo Florida

Re: Jacking boat off trailer bunks

Post by Ixneigh »

I need a few of those adjustable stands. Ill check around online or, the old Harbor Fright standby. There is one in the next town. Thanks.

Ix
"Shoal Idea"
2011 M, white
Tohatsu 20
South Fl.
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Russ
Admiral
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Joined: Thu Oct 11, 2007 12:01 pm
Sailboat: MacGregor 26M
Location: Bozeman, Montana "Luna Azul" 2008 M 70hp Suzi

Re: Jacking boat off trailer bunks

Post by Russ »

This is good information. I have to admit, I have never cleaned the bottom where it touches the trailer bunks. Too difficult to reach. I may do this next time.

Obviously, warmer waters will be more conducive to growth. I imagine most boats in those places need an annual coat of antifoul.

I see a bit of corrosion on that aluminum trailer. Mine has it also. At what point should we be concerned?
--Russ
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Ixneigh
Admiral
Posts: 2469
Joined: Thu Sep 09, 2010 11:00 am
Sailboat: MacGregor 26M
Location: Key largo Florida

Re: Jacking boat off trailer bunks

Post by Ixneigh »

Re: trailer corrosion
It has white powder in most areas and a little very light pitting in some places. Its less of an issue where paint was spilled on the aluminum surface past. So I think I will just paint it when the boat is in the water, after lightly sanding it. Its not that difficult to lift the boat off the bunks, but arranging everything time. Rolling the boat over on the opposite bunks to do one side at a time is pretty easy and I used a much larger piece of wood for load spreading. Since this will be a yearly thing now, Ill try to perfect the operation.

Ix
"Shoal Idea"
2011 M, white
Tohatsu 20
South Fl.
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