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Author Topic:   Getting Montauk on her trailer.

ryanwhaler posted 03-12-2004 09:20 PM ET (US)

Last time my Montauk was transported it wasn't strapped to the trailer in the stern and it moved sideways. It is sitting on the keel roller on the back of the trailer, not any of the other ones. When put on right the boat fits the trailer like a glove, it just wasn't strapped down right. It also slid a few inches forward. tIt must go backward on the trailer maybe three or four inches.
I was thinking about jacking up both back corners of the boat and placing them on jack stands and then pulling the trailer forward out from under the boat, but I'm not sure what I can do to hold up the bow.
I'd like to get this done tomorrow some way or another,
Any suggestions?

Backlash posted 03-12-2004 09:55 PM ET (US)
Ryan,
I don't understand how the boat moved FORWARD 3 or 4 inches. Doesn't the bow eye snug up against the bow stop/roller when the boat is cranked onto the trailer? Are you using a winch? Safety chain/strap?
Sounds like your idea would work assuming you are only going to pull the trailer forward 3 or 4 inches. If so, why is it necessary to hold the bow up? If you are trying to pull the trailer completely out from under the boat you would need to jack up the bow and place a long beam (maybe a 4 x 4) under the bow supported by 2 jack stands outside the trailer frame/wheels.
You could also rent an engine hoist (U-Haul) to hold the bow up until the trailer is pulled out. This would probably be the safest way to do this.
Can you use transom straps to secure the boat to the trailer in the stern? Once tightened, the boat will not move sideways.
Steve
ryanwhaler posted 03-13-2004 11:09 AM ET (US)
When the boat got moved off the roller the boat got moved to the side and off the stop/hold thingey. Thats why it moved forward.
I'm going to try jacking up the back of it and pulling the trailer forward, then hopefully iti will sit back down on the keel rollers, I'll have a report tonight.
Thanks for the reply.
andygere posted 03-13-2004 12:09 PM ET (US)
Ryan, you can do it with just some blocks or stands and the tounge jack on the trailer. Lower the tounge jack as low as it will go (the transom of the boat will get a bit higher). Put blocks/stands under the aft section of the hull. Now, crank the tounge jack up, and the boat will be supported on blocks in the back. If you do this where the stern eyes can be chained or strapped to a sturdy tree, you can carefully pull the trailer out from under the boat with your truck, then recenter it, and back the trailer under the boat again. Reverse the process to get the blocks/stands out.
jimh posted 03-13-2004 02:48 PM ET (US)
Gosh--wasn't this the boat you just bought and trailered back at 65-MPH without checking the trailer wheel bearings, etc? And the boat wasn't tied down, either? I can't believe that darn thing moved around on the trailer.
ryanwhaler posted 03-13-2004 03:52 PM ET (US)
I tried it the way I said in the start of this thread.
My jack is to small so it wouldn't work, I put the jack on a few blocks to make it higher it it seemed to top heavy because the base of the jack is to small, so it isn't gonna happen with the jack I have now.
andygere,
That's a good idea! I didn't thing of that. Problem is the trailer doesn't have a tongue jack. I could problem do something similar with a normal jack, I maybe I’ll try that.
I'll wait for my dad to get home, maybe he'll have some idea's , and two more hands.

Buckda posted 03-13-2004 04:15 PM ET (US)
Ryan -
Is it so severely misaligned that a slow tow to a local ramp to launch and re-align it won't be feasible? That might be your easiest bet if you're not in danger of damaging the hull.
Once the boat is back on the trailer, look into getting a short chain installed on the bow stop tree. This chain will provide added security to ensure the boat does not slide around in the bow area in case the winch fails, or is not secured tightly enough. Of course, you've already learned to strap the stern to the trailer too...
Good luck, and let us know how it works out.
Chuck Tribolet posted 03-13-2004 04:15 PM ET (US)
The winch strap should have held the bow eye tightly against
the stop. It shouldn't have moved off the stop even if
the stern was sliding back and forth. Sounds to me like it
wasn't winched up all the way.

Chuck
ryanwhaler posted 03-13-2004 05:34 PM ET (US)
Buckda,
I thought of that, where I normally launch is about a 15min drive, but it would have to be towed on the highway. I'm worried that the keel would get sawed off it bounced around being its not on the keel rollers. Theirs another ramp is coming to mind, its about 5 miles from our house. Its one of them "no motor" ponds. It might be a good place to dump the boat and get it on the trailer the right way, I'm sure no one would give us a hard time since we wouldn't be starting the motor. I think it would be okay going to the pond, its all back roads and the highest speed limit is like 35. This wouldn't the first time I used that pond as a test tank, I put my 13'Wooden boat in to see how much water it would take on last summer, no one said anything about the motor on the back, I just kept it tilted clear of the water.
Chuck,
When we picked the boat up it was pitch dark out, one of them nights with no mood where you can't see your hands, I think the clip think it was winch must have not been tight and I didn't notice.
I like the launch and reposition idea the best, won't be able to do it untill some time next week, I'll let you guys know.
Buckda posted 03-13-2004 05:40 PM ET (US)
Ryan -
That's what I would do - take it to that nearby pond, drive slowly with your hazard flashers on and realign the boat. It is unlikely that anyone will say anything, and if a local deputy happens to notice and stop by, it will be obvious to him what you're doing, and shouldn't be a problem (to be extra safe, perhaps you can prepare for this possibility by removing the spark plugs and leaving the boat keys at home...that will provide you a quick proof to the officer of the truthfulness of your reason for dunking the boat).
Probably something you and your dad can do in half an hour after dinner.
Good luck,
Dave
Buckda posted 03-13-2004 05:49 PM ET (US)
Ryan-
One alternative to the safety chain that I use with my 15' Sport - I have an extra rope that I secure to the bow eye, wrapped tightly around the bow stop tree on the trailer, and then route down around the tongue and back up into the boat around the bow chock and norman pin. Together with the over-the gunwale strap at the stern, she's glued to the trailer.
When I first bought the boat, after the inital run, I got so excited to get the boat home that I left the stern strap at the ramp. Talk about unnerving..you could HEAR the difference and that the boat was bouncing on the trailer down the road, not WITH the trailer. Wish MI-DOT would fix the roads in Berrien County.
Dave

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Author	Topic: Getting Montauk on her trailer.
ryanwhaler	posted 03-12-2004 09:20 PM ET (US) Last time my Montauk was transported it wasn't strapped to the trailer in the stern and it moved sideways. It is sitting on the keel roller on the back of the trailer, not any of the other ones. When put on right the boat fits the trailer like a glove, it just wasn't strapped down right. It also slid a few inches forward. tIt must go backward on the trailer maybe three or four inches. I was thinking about jacking up both back corners of the boat and placing them on jack stands and then pulling the trailer forward out from under the boat, but I'm not sure what I can do to hold up the bow. I'd like to get this done tomorrow some way or another, Any suggestions?
Backlash	posted 03-12-2004 09:55 PM ET (US) Ryan, I don't understand how the boat moved FORWARD 3 or 4 inches. Doesn't the bow eye snug up against the bow stop/roller when the boat is cranked onto the trailer? Are you using a winch? Safety chain/strap? Sounds like your idea would work assuming you are only going to pull the trailer forward 3 or 4 inches. If so, why is it necessary to hold the bow up? If you are trying to pull the trailer completely out from under the boat you would need to jack up the bow and place a long beam (maybe a 4 x 4) under the bow supported by 2 jack stands outside the trailer frame/wheels. You could also rent an engine hoist (U-Haul) to hold the bow up until the trailer is pulled out. This would probably be the safest way to do this. Can you use transom straps to secure the boat to the trailer in the stern? Once tightened, the boat will not move sideways. Steve
ryanwhaler	posted 03-13-2004 11:09 AM ET (US) When the boat got moved off the roller the boat got moved to the side and off the stop/hold thingey. Thats why it moved forward. I'm going to try jacking up the back of it and pulling the trailer forward, then hopefully iti will sit back down on the keel rollers, I'll have a report tonight. Thanks for the reply.
andygere	posted 03-13-2004 12:09 PM ET (US) Ryan, you can do it with just some blocks or stands and the tounge jack on the trailer. Lower the tounge jack as low as it will go (the transom of the boat will get a bit higher). Put blocks/stands under the aft section of the hull. Now, crank the tounge jack up, and the boat will be supported on blocks in the back. If you do this where the stern eyes can be chained or strapped to a sturdy tree, you can carefully pull the trailer out from under the boat with your truck, then recenter it, and back the trailer under the boat again. Reverse the process to get the blocks/stands out.
jimh	posted 03-13-2004 02:48 PM ET (US) Gosh--wasn't this the boat you just bought and trailered back at 65-MPH without checking the trailer wheel bearings, etc? And the boat wasn't tied down, either? I can't believe that darn thing moved around on the trailer.
ryanwhaler	posted 03-13-2004 03:52 PM ET (US) I tried it the way I said in the start of this thread. My jack is to small so it wouldn't work, I put the jack on a few blocks to make it higher it it seemed to top heavy because the base of the jack is to small, so it isn't gonna happen with the jack I have now. andygere, That's a good idea! I didn't thing of that. Problem is the trailer doesn't have a tongue jack. I could problem do something similar with a normal jack, I maybe I’ll try that. I'll wait for my dad to get home, maybe he'll have some idea's , and two more hands.
Buckda	posted 03-13-2004 04:15 PM ET (US) Ryan - Is it so severely misaligned that a slow tow to a local ramp to launch and re-align it won't be feasible? That might be your easiest bet if you're not in danger of damaging the hull. Once the boat is back on the trailer, look into getting a short chain installed on the bow stop tree. This chain will provide added security to ensure the boat does not slide around in the bow area in case the winch fails, or is not secured tightly enough. Of course, you've already learned to strap the stern to the trailer too... Good luck, and let us know how it works out.
Chuck Tribolet	posted 03-13-2004 04:15 PM ET (US) The winch strap should have held the bow eye tightly against the stop. It shouldn't have moved off the stop even if the stern was sliding back and forth. Sounds to me like it wasn't winched up all the way. Chuck
ryanwhaler	posted 03-13-2004 05:34 PM ET (US) Buckda, I thought of that, where I normally launch is about a 15min drive, but it would have to be towed on the highway. I'm worried that the keel would get sawed off it bounced around being its not on the keel rollers. Theirs another ramp is coming to mind, its about 5 miles from our house. Its one of them "no motor" ponds. It might be a good place to dump the boat and get it on the trailer the right way, I'm sure no one would give us a hard time since we wouldn't be starting the motor. I think it would be okay going to the pond, its all back roads and the highest speed limit is like 35. This wouldn't the first time I used that pond as a test tank, I put my 13'Wooden boat in to see how much water it would take on last summer, no one said anything about the motor on the back, I just kept it tilted clear of the water. Chuck, When we picked the boat up it was pitch dark out, one of them nights with no mood where you can't see your hands, I think the clip think it was winch must have not been tight and I didn't notice. I like the launch and reposition idea the best, won't be able to do it untill some time next week, I'll let you guys know.
Buckda	posted 03-13-2004 05:40 PM ET (US) Ryan - That's what I would do - take it to that nearby pond, drive slowly with your hazard flashers on and realign the boat. It is unlikely that anyone will say anything, and if a local deputy happens to notice and stop by, it will be obvious to him what you're doing, and shouldn't be a problem (to be extra safe, perhaps you can prepare for this possibility by removing the spark plugs and leaving the boat keys at home...that will provide you a quick proof to the officer of the truthfulness of your reason for dunking the boat). Probably something you and your dad can do in half an hour after dinner. Good luck, Dave
Buckda	posted 03-13-2004 05:49 PM ET (US) Ryan- One alternative to the safety chain that I use with my 15' Sport - I have an extra rope that I secure to the bow eye, wrapped tightly around the bow stop tree on the trailer, and then route down around the tongue and back up into the boat around the bow chock and norman pin. Together with the over-the gunwale strap at the stern, she's glued to the trailer. When I first bought the boat, after the inital run, I got so excited to get the boat home that I left the stern strap at the ramp. Talk about unnerving..you could HEAR the difference and that the boat was bouncing on the trailer down the road, not WITH the trailer. Wish MI-DOT would fix the roads in Berrien County. Dave