boat trailer ideas needed

[R.I.Singer30]

Hi ,After reading about, I've decided that I really should get this boat into the pole barn. Rather than pay the boat hauler I'd like to use the money to build my own trailer.That'll prove cost efficient in the future
http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid56/p705720b0f1d91731180cd2fb1e004fb6/fc71fcc1.jpg

Any references to plans for this?
How to get it loaded?
I have a welder.
I have a horse trailer, is that suficient?
I have a GMC 4x4 w/6.2 diesel(not running but on the todo list)Any help will be greatly appreciated thanks Dan L.

[shadow99]

Dan, It would almost seem like you'd need a cradle on wheels. How long is the boat & how much does she weigh?

Rick

[Donn]

This should be interesting, especially the how to get it loaded part. How long, wide and heavy is the boat?

[Carl Simmons]

If your going to build the trailer you might want to build it under the boat. Then jack the boat up, install the cradles and then lower the boat onto the cradles :eek:

Of course, it always sounds easier then it will probably turn out :D

Carl.

[R.I.Singer30]

She's a Reisinger(i.e. my stupid web name) 30 foot. beam about 10ft. Wght. I really don't know.6000 lbs.maybe. By cradle do you mean strap or steel. smile.gif

[Donn]

The cradle would likely be wood, no? How far do you have to haul her?

[Noah]

For my Folkboat I have a wooden cradle that can support the weight of the boat. I suppose if you are smart you could build your cradle around the boat where it is.

When I want to move the boat I then jack up the cradle and drive a flatbed trailer in under and let the boat down. (Or something like that, it usually take about 4 hours from start to finish.) The flatbed rental is usually around $50bucks for the day so that isn't too bad when you start to consider what it would cost just in steel to start putting together something that can carry a 5000lb boat over the road. Dual axels, good brakes, etc.

Good luck,

Noah

[Venchka]

Originally posted by Noah:
The flatbed rental is usually around $50bucks for the day so that isn't too bad when you start to consider what it would cost just in steel to start putting together something that can carry a 5000lb boat over the road. Dual axels, good brakes, etc.Unless you plan on using the trailer weekly you'll never beat renting one. Shop around, make sure you can rent a 10,000 pound trailer. Do like Noah said and build a road worthy cradle between the boat and a flat bed trailer.

At 10' beam you'll need a wide load permit and maybe an escort.

All of which adds up to not a lot of use for the time, money & effort of building a 10,000 pound capacity trailer. Lots of steel. Tandem axels. Heavy suspension. Brakes. Permits. It adds up fast.

Hire the professional might be the best thing. If he breaks it, he's bought it.

[shadow99]

Wayne's got it right, at that size/weight, the amount of abuse to the vehicle is excessive. My father & I used to haul a '63 36ft CC, back & forth (about 130 miles each way). Twice a year with an old Dodge military truck, built for pulling, it's all we used it for. Between the special permits, fuel, clearing the narrow neighborhood streets of cars, the trip SUCKED :mad: . Not to mention the wear & tear on the trailer.
Hire a marine rigger/mover, to be responsible for everything, trust me you'll be happier in the long run.
But don't let me stop you from making a nice cradle for her, a boat is usually happier in a cradle than a baby. It's nice for working on too.

Rick

[R.I.Singer30]

I'll be towing her about 20 miles depending on where I dock/moor.I'll go to Noah's site to check out his set up. It cost me about $275 to get her brought here (15miles),so I'll be looking at about $150 to get her into the barn(after it's cleaned out)Plus over $550 per year to get her back and forth,that is if I can get her seaworthy. So I'm looking at $700 before I hit the water not counting evrything she needs.I'm frugel ,no cheap ,ok poor :( so I am gonna evaluate this the best I can. Thanks for your help and keep your thoughts coming. Dan L.

[mhoffman]

Dan-
one other thing on your cradle plans- be sure to position it so the you can access things on the hull while its in the cradle. Are you planning to take off you balast anytime? Shaft? Hull fittings? be a pain and double the expense if you have to make a second cradle later...
Also, you could use your welding skills and a couple hours at a junk yard to make your "cradle" mobile with that pickup you mentioned- just for moving the boat around your yard and in and out of the barn- in case you need to.
By the way, what is all of the white stuff on the ground in the photo? Spray insulation or something? :D
Best-
Matt

[Ken Hutchins]

Another thought about a trailer or any vehicle that doesn't get moved very often. The brakes will rust solid to the drums or disks. I've had this happen to several vehicles, the last occurance was just a year ago, my son's Dodge PU sat for 4 months while has at work? travelling around the world at company expense. One of the brake pads actually ripped off the backing plate instead of breaking free of the disk. The brake pads had less than 2000 miles on them. They were replaced the previous year, along with the disks for the same reason.

[Ian McColgin]

You have more problems anyway.

If you're launching at a yard with a travellift, there's that expense. If you're dropping it off a ramp, you have the problem of cradle design and getting the boat to float free.

That may be a problem but it gets worse for taking the boat out again in the fall as with a rigid cradle you'll have to position the boat just perfectly and even then have a good chance of straining the planking because you're just a tad off.

So you could complicate the trailor/cradle by adding screw pads, like top of poppetts or stands.

By the time you're done dinking around spending pounds to save pence, you might as well hire a hauler with proper hydrolics who can do the job safely and has all the issues of escorts and permits down pat.

For home, it's hard to beat blocking under the keel and holding her upright with poppets as then you can move them (one at a time!) for painting.

But if emotionally you have to have a trailor, g'luck.

[R.I.Singer30]

I don't think it's an emotional thing ,more of an economical thing. I checked out Noahs web page. It seems he use 4x4 and 6x6 pine slabs.How long will this be stable?Metal from a scrap yard might be feasable . I am going to have to check with the boat yards as for the cost of lanching. I've seen that it is probably wise to have it sit in the cradle in the water over night any way.keep the food for thought coming. Thanks ,Dan L.

[TomRobb]

I just know this'll sound elitist, but, "if you have to ask you can't afford it." That's why I won't mess with big boats - bigger than my son and I can lift by hand.
If you're too poor to do it right, you oughtn't be messing about with that boat. If you insist on risking breaking the boat, or worse - dropping it on some unsuspecting civilian, that's one dumb idea piled on top of another. Imagine the scene in court: Gee yerhonor, I made it myself & it looked ok to me :rolleyes:
How much liability, nevermind the guilt, can you afford?
HIRE it out, Man!

[ 04-11-2003, 01:36 PM: Message edited by: TomRobb ]

[R.I.Singer30]

Hi Tom thanks for your input.That's why I'm asking for opinions. I've seen some people do have systems that work for them.This is a rather large boat an the dangers are definately there.I guess I like the satisfaction of getting things done myself(with a little help from my friends of course).Contemplating in southern New England. :confused:

[Leon Steyns]

Dan,

Just an idea: you could also build a temporary shed around the boat where she sits now (judging from the picture). If you are able to do all the work needed on her, you will be able to put off expenses for hauling/lifting/transport untill all the work has finished. Planning ahead and considering options usually pays off. Good luck on your project!

Oh, by the way: I recognised myself in your phrase "(not running but on the todo list)". For me, it's a dangerous way of living, but a very interesting and adventurous one... :D :D :D

Greets, Leon Steyns.

[Hugh Paterson]

Mmmmmm,totalethinks u need to get an accurate measurement for the weight of the beast before u throw money at it. If as u suggest it is 6000lbs thats a three axle trailer and large suspension units too boot at the very least, remember to calulate the weight of the trailer chassis and boat before you start pricing the suspension and metal to build ur own. I build the occasional trailer for customers and its not somthing u can skimp on if u want to keep it safe. I have just completed a 26ft trailer that can carry 5500 kg's and it cost me £1500 to build (ouch) :eek:
Shug.

[R.I.Singer30]

Originally posted by Leon Steyns:
Dan,

Just an idea: you could also build a temporary shed around the boat where she sits now ...

Oh, by the way: I recognised myself in your phrase "(not running but on the todo list)". For me, it's a dangerous way of living, but a very interesting and adventurous one... :D :D :D

Greets, Leon Steyns.The temporary shed was my first thought.But the way this winter was here I would probably spend more time and money tring to build something that wouldn't last through another tough winter or hurricane. We're due for one of them too.

On keeping things interesting,there is always something to do.I've got 2 stepson's cars,the wife's car,our van,3 motorcycle(BMW GS1000,BSA T650 and a Fantic 200) two properties and two babies to keep me busy.Never a dull moment here.

Hugh ..Back to the trailer, I've got an old horse trailer with tandem wheels in the back . I'm gonna pull it out and see what type of shape it's in.Also look for some type of verification as to it's weight rating.Any ideas on how to get the weight without moving it.I've written to the son of the importer hoping that there may be some plans or paperwork available.It was supposably built in Denmark or such?(Mid 50's)Don't know for sure. Thanks again Dan L. smile.gif

[Hugh Paterson]

Cant wait to see yer horse that pulls that boat and trailer combination, I am lucky when I want to know what a boat weighs I have a friend with a mobile crane that lifts the Bigger stuff I work with for a reasonable fee ;) 56 tons is the largest hes lifted for me, but his rig can cope with a lot more.
Shug.

[Hwyl]

Back in pre travelift days, boatyards (at least those in Wales) moved boats around in makeshift cradles all the time. They used time honoured methods, old screw jacks, rollers, trucks, tractors, skids, pieces of old rairoad track, blocks of oak. I'm sure everyone has done something similar on a smaller scale. After all your immediate problem is just moving the boat inside, right? That's one bite out of the dinosaur. Once inside and on the cradle, make your cradle so it's semi dimantleable, you could even use the horse trailer as a bed. I agree withjall the foregoing about hiring someone to take it over the road, but to move it around your site, which as I said is you first "todo" just a simple affair will suffice.

[R.I.Singer30]

I think I'll be leaning towards making a cradle type system to hold her and move her around the yard for now. "A cradle with wheels" I believe it'd be called.My neighbor has been building a lot with post and beams,he may be able to help me out.Besides the wife's been wanting me to cut up the old horse trailer anyway.I'll see if it's a viable solution.As to get it to the sea , I'll deal with that when/if the time comes.Thinking on it i have a couple of friends in construction and may give me a hand for a fair price.Thanks for the input .Let me know if any thing comes to mind. smile.gif Dan L.