On Fri, 30 Jan 2004 15:33:40 GMT, steveJ wrote:

I have a 24 ft ballasted sail boat sitting on a trailer that needs some
work on it.(the trailer, not the boat) I want to put the boat on a
cradle and drive the trailer to a shop that works on such things. The
boat is about 8 ft wide and has a two ft shallow shoal keel and weighs
mabey 3000 lbs total I'm guessing. My question is, short of hiring a
crane, what is the most efficient procedure for putting this boat on a
cradle where it sits? What is the best cradle design? I Prefer wood
since I don't have a welder. If it was summer, I'd launch the boat and
bring the trailer to the shop but the lake will be solid till March and
I plan on doing some major restoration to the boat this summer anyway
and probably don't want to launch it this season. Besides, the trailer
is so poor as it is that hauling to the water is too iffy.

You haven't described your trailer. My first thought is:

Get two cross beams stout enough to take the wieight that will fit
across the trailer under the hull and support them with blocks. Have
four more blocks ready.

If you can get at the keel bottom aft without keeping the trailer from
going forward put that in place as well, with one more block in
reserve just like the four above.

Jack up the trailer enough to insert the reserved blocks. wedge the
hull on each side so it can't roll on the cross beams-- the wedges
serve for poppets. Lower the jack[s].

The trailer now is free to come forward.

If the trailer axle blocks the keel, You may have to support the
weight through the hull with the beams and wedges. THe hull stresses
are the same as with slings on a travellift.

You then should block up the keel after the trailer is out.

******************************

Another possibility is a pair of ramps on which you can raise the
trailer by towing it with the car. Then block up the boat and get the
trailer out.

HTH


Rodney Myrvaagnes J36 Gjo/a

The meme for blind faith secures its own perpetuation by the
simple unconscious expedient of discouraging rational inquiry.
- Richard Dawkins, "Viruses of the Mind"

Another method that I have certainly not tried...is to:
Build your cradle in one foot or 18 inch segments....then.....
tie the boat to a very stout tree..
Drive the trailer forward a foot....
slip your cradle portin A under.....
drive another foot, and on and on.
I don't know if I would try it..but you could then bolt the sectioned cradle
together. As you say, you got trees, trees, trees, and bolts...Seems like
that would work. RichG