Storing Whaler Drive Boat on Blocks - Moderated Discussion Areas

  ContinuousWave
  Whaler
  Moderated Discussion Areas
  ContinuousWave: The Whaler GAM or General Area
  Storing Whaler Drive Boat on Blocks

search | FAQ | profile | register | author help

Author Topic:   Storing Whaler Drive Boat on Blocks

martyn1075 posted 11-01-2010 06:12 PM ET (US)
I am pulling my boat out onto blocks for the winter season. It has a whaler drive and I am wondering if some type of added support under the drive itself is required. My guess is that because of the weight it may need it, but perhaps it does not make a difference. Anybody know for sure?
Thanks
contender posted 11-01-2010 07:36 PM ET (US)
What support is under the whaler drive when it is in the water? If you support your transom you should be fine...
boatdryver posted 11-01-2010 07:48 PM ET (US)
But in the water, buoyancy supports the Whaler Drive and motor, doesn't it?
JimL
jimh posted 11-01-2010 08:38 PM ET (US)
When out of the water and unsupported, the motor and Whaler Drive produce a bending moment on the transom which is probably greater than the bending moment produced when the boat is afloat, however, the strength of the Whaler Drive and the transom is sufficient to withstand it.
I would be cautious about adding support for the Whaler Drive when the boat is on blocks. If support were to be added for the Whaler Drive, my impression is the best location for a support would be at the transom of the Whaler Drive.
My boat has a Whaler Drive. It spends 99-percent of its life on a trailer, and there is no support for the Whaler Drive. It is just cantilevered from the transom. I have only one engine of moderate weight.
Peter posted 11-01-2010 08:50 PM ET (US)
My Whaler 27 WD is stored on blocks during the off season. The WD is not supported, it hangs cantilevered.
martyn1075 posted 11-01-2010 09:26 PM ET (US)
Great! thanks I will not worry about it now.
kwik_wurk posted 11-02-2010 07:16 PM ET (US)
I don't have a whaler drive, but I always take the load off the transom when on the blocks by using a block of wood under the skeg, and gently, lightly trimming/tilting the motor onto it.
(I do agree the WD should easily handle the load.)
martyn1075 posted 11-02-2010 11:01 PM ET (US)
It makes sense, if you could imagine the amount of pressure coming from the engines while in motion it should be able to handle the weight just standing still on blocks. My first Boston Whaler with a Whaler Drive so I wanted to be sure and not do something I would regret. It might be a little sketchy adding support anyways as Jim mentioned. If one of the supports moves the slightest bit for whatever reason the weight shift could put unwanted weight to the transom drive instead of where it should be. The whole process might actually cause more harm then good.
Peter posted 11-03-2010 01:52 PM ET (US)
The concern I have is that the ground may heave some and it could end up that the Whaler Drive is supporting most of the weight of the boat. Normally when small recreational boats are blocked up, there are only two blocking points along the keel - one towards the bow, one towards the stern.
Tohsgib posted 11-03-2010 02:13 PM ET (US)
EVERY boat I have seen has blocks under the keel towards the bow and one on each corner of the stern. I would suggest if you are always going to block it to buy the g]foam blocks that marinas use. Can't fall over, won't scratch your hull and won't settle into the ground, etc. New I think they are about $50 ea.
alfred posted 11-03-2010 05:28 PM ET (US)
Tohsgib - do you have a link for the foam blocks?
Tohsgib posted 11-04-2010 09:41 AM ET (US)
No my bud has a canvas shop and I borrow them from him. He told me what they cost a few years ago and that is kinda what I remember.

Hop to:

Contact Us | RETURN to ContinuousWave Top Page

Powered by: Ultimate Bulletin Board, Freeware Version 2000
Purchase our Licensed Version- which adds many more features!
© Infopop Corporation (formerly Madrona Park, Inc.), 1998 - 2000.

Author	Topic: Storing Whaler Drive Boat on Blocks
martyn1075	posted 11-01-2010 06:12 PM ET (US) I am pulling my boat out onto blocks for the winter season. It has a whaler drive and I am wondering if some type of added support under the drive itself is required. My guess is that because of the weight it may need it, but perhaps it does not make a difference. Anybody know for sure? Thanks
contender	posted 11-01-2010 07:36 PM ET (US) What support is under the whaler drive when it is in the water? If you support your transom you should be fine...
boatdryver	posted 11-01-2010 07:48 PM ET (US) But in the water, buoyancy supports the Whaler Drive and motor, doesn't it? JimL
jimh	posted 11-01-2010 08:38 PM ET (US) When out of the water and unsupported, the motor and Whaler Drive produce a bending moment on the transom which is probably greater than the bending moment produced when the boat is afloat, however, the strength of the Whaler Drive and the transom is sufficient to withstand it. I would be cautious about adding support for the Whaler Drive when the boat is on blocks. If support were to be added for the Whaler Drive, my impression is the best location for a support would be at the transom of the Whaler Drive. My boat has a Whaler Drive. It spends 99-percent of its life on a trailer, and there is no support for the Whaler Drive. It is just cantilevered from the transom. I have only one engine of moderate weight.
Peter	posted 11-01-2010 08:50 PM ET (US) My Whaler 27 WD is stored on blocks during the off season. The WD is not supported, it hangs cantilevered.
martyn1075	posted 11-01-2010 09:26 PM ET (US) Great! thanks I will not worry about it now.
kwik_wurk	posted 11-02-2010 07:16 PM ET (US) I don't have a whaler drive, but I always take the load off the transom when on the blocks by using a block of wood under the skeg, and gently, lightly trimming/tilting the motor onto it. (I do agree the WD should easily handle the load.)
martyn1075	posted 11-02-2010 11:01 PM ET (US) It makes sense, if you could imagine the amount of pressure coming from the engines while in motion it should be able to handle the weight just standing still on blocks. My first Boston Whaler with a Whaler Drive so I wanted to be sure and not do something I would regret. It might be a little sketchy adding support anyways as Jim mentioned. If one of the supports moves the slightest bit for whatever reason the weight shift could put unwanted weight to the transom drive instead of where it should be. The whole process might actually cause more harm then good.
Peter	posted 11-03-2010 01:52 PM ET (US) The concern I have is that the ground may heave some and it could end up that the Whaler Drive is supporting most of the weight of the boat. Normally when small recreational boats are blocked up, there are only two blocking points along the keel - one towards the bow, one towards the stern.
Tohsgib	posted 11-03-2010 02:13 PM ET (US) EVERY boat I have seen has blocks under the keel towards the bow and one on each corner of the stern. I would suggest if you are always going to block it to buy the g]foam blocks that marinas use. Can't fall over, won't scratch your hull and won't settle into the ground, etc. New I think they are about $50 ea.
alfred	posted 11-03-2010 05:28 PM ET (US) Tohsgib - do you have a link for the foam blocks?
Tohsgib	posted 11-04-2010 09:41 AM ET (US) No my bud has a canvas shop and I borrow them from him. He told me what they cost a few years ago and that is kinda what I remember.