Lifting C-Dory Boats

[Byrdman]

Got two boats I need to do some bottom paint work on. Just thought I'd toss something out as to how folks lift their boats off the trailers.... and any good ideas or lessons learned on bottom painting....and re-bottom painting. Gotta lift FreeByrd (TC-24) and C-Byrd, (CDA18).. Of course the TC24 will be more work/effort....but thought I'd attempt for C-Brat past experiences.

Byrdman

[Chris Bulovsky]

Byrdman- Chock the wheels first. A floor jacks will with a 1' chunk of 2X12 lumber between the jack and the hull. (two jacks would be more stable). Jack stands in place in case of that the jack fail.Think safety first . You can keep one jack in place then paint under the one you just moved. If your tailer has rollers slide the hull back one foot and paint and let dry then forward and paint. Roller trailer advantage? I didn't paint my boat this way but I adjusted rollers this way.(with the jacks) Also put down plastic or paper to prevent a nasty mess. And put on clothes that you are willing to destroy.
On second thought you can drag one of your C-Dorys to my house and I'll just keep it for you........for a very long time It will cut your work load in half. Its the least I could do for you.

Hope I helped and good luck
Merry Christmas!!!!!
Chris

[Papillon]

I just finished doing the bottom of my 22' Angler. It went something like this.

Place the trailer on a concrete/paved driveway and anchor the boat stern to a tree or other anchor. Pull the trailer foward 1 foot. Stop

Using a floor jack and 4 x 4 block of wood, jack the boat up and block the corners. Pull the trailer out being sure to not go too far, keeping the nose on the trailer.

Lay out plastic drop clothers and prep the bottom for paint, masking, sanding , etc...prime (?) , paint the bottom and let dry according to your paint choice instructions.

Back the trailer back to the blocks...jack the boat up, remove blocking, let the boat down....Finish painting the blocked/trailer resting areas that you were not able to paint before.

Take to nearest ramp and float it the rest of the way on...or just going boating.

It takes two people to get this job done...stock up on refreshments and take your time. Moving the trailer around on payment is so much eaiser then doing it on a gravel drive or sodded lot like I did.

Plan "B"...have the local boat yard block it and when you have the bottom done...put back on the trailer. Plan "B" cost a bit more but takes a lot of the pain out of the process.

Good Luck

[Byrdman]

Thanks a bunch yall. Chris... Love the work you have accomplished on SCOUT. Great looking stuff. I had thought about "raising the roof" about 6" on the 85' 18Angler as to allow me to stand upright under the roof. But want to go way slow in cutting off the roof.....just for an "up" grade. More than likely will just keep ducking down.

[JamesTXSD]

Rack the jack stand as far down as it will go. Block the aft end of the boat and raise the jack stand... this will raise the back of the boat off the trailer. You can do the same thing with the bow. Should give you room to get under there to work. We've done this with our trailerable sailboats, no reason it wouldn't work with your TC.

Happy Holidays,
James TX/SD

[Byrdman]

Thanks Much Guys!
Byrdman