DIY Bass Boat Restoration - Part 3: How To Lift Boat Off Trailer In Garage

[@FishingOntario]

Have you ever done something that feels sketchy in the shop?

[@rumnboats7612]

Almost every day :D love it, don't skip composite work in the bilge area

[@philobeddoe549]

If you need access to the hull where your supports are, use two truck jack stands under the jackplate to support the rear. Then the cherry picker to pick up and hold the nose. At that point, you’ve got total access to the hull for repairs, etc. I’ve restored a few older bass boats over the years and short of turning one over, that’s the best route I’ve found for having total access to the bottom of the boat.

[@FishingOntario]

That is great advice! Fortunately for us, this was just to get the boat off the trailer, next step is it’s getting put on a rotisserie

[@SierraGuzman-z5b]

Pallets work well too. Pretty slick how you moved that boat off the trailer..

[@FishingOntario]

Why didn’t we think of pallets!🤦‍♂️

[@renaudtheis1197]

I’m 140lbs guy and I’ve pulled many trailer from under boats alone. It’s very easy. Build a cradle with a sheet of plywood and 2x6 just a bit narrower than the boat. And for the bow an old tire or a small cradle will work. Then pull the strap all the way out the winch, go under and over a cross beam and tie back to the boat. Then just crank the winch and the boat will slide back. The trailer jack will lift off a bit until the transom rests on the cradle. The boat will stop moving and the trailer will roll forward. Position the bow cradle and just pull the trailer out. It’s a bit of a workout but it’s very easy especially when you don’t have a motor on.

[@FishingOntario]

Cool!

[@michaelomode630]

Yeah, just watching this is making it way complicated...there must be a simpler way

[@anthonyellerbrock932]

Great video....great idea on the stands

[@FishingOntario]

Thanks Anthony!

[@maddgoatee9708]

Pretty slick how you moved that boat off the trailer.

[@FishingOntario]

Not bad for our first time!

[@joeb7508]

Subscribed! I don’t want to miss this build.

[@FishingOntario]

Thanks so much Joe!! New video coming this week!

[@kansascityshuffle8526]

Pallets work well too

[@FishingOntario]

That is an excellent budget friendly idea. Lumber be expensive!

[@tnbass2833]

I highly recommend gator back bunk covers when your done. They stop blisters.

[@FishingOntario]

There are a lot of mixed opinions on gatorback stuff, especially if the boat is going on/off the trailer lots.

[@tnbass2833]

@@FishingOntario I currently use my boat weekly and have had the covers for over 2 years without trouble. Some of the mixed reviews are from people who are parroting what they heard without using the covers themselves. My next boat will get them as well.

[@FishingOntario]

Have you had your boat on a lift to look at the hull in the areas where they contact? I’ve seen lots of posts on BBC about excessive gel coat wear, and ultimately failure, from gatorbacks.

[@tnbass2833]

@@FishingOntario I have. I had the boat completely off the trailer 4 months ago so the entire hull could be waxed and ceramic coated and my hulls fine.

[@FishingOntario]

Good to hear, I have no real experience either way other than seeing posts of the damage cause on BBC, and Ken Smith also has a video at Classic Fibreglass Repair where the owner talks about fixing hulls damaged from gator bunks really frequently🤷‍♂️🤷‍♂️

[@ronturalinski1542]

I used industrial steel shelving and to 5000 lb cargo straps to lift boat off trailer with motor to refurbish trailer

[@FishingOntario]

Whatever it takes man!

[@BoomBoom2a]

When you get to the point where you are in the bilge....Could you show the location of the shoot thru the hull transducer in the bilge if you have one? Thanks

[@FishingOntario]

For sure! I don’t think there is one down there, as there was a transom mounted one that someone unfortunately drilled a ton on holes straight through the hull🤦‍♂️ I think you can place one pretty much anywhere so long as it’s on a flat surface in area of the pad

[@BoomBoom2a]

@@FishingOntario Unfortunately, I have found you can't put one just anywhere like the other boats I have owned. I have tried several locations but just can't hold bottom over about 30 mph. I tried holding in place with sandbags so I could move it around during the day. But never found the right spot. I was hoping your project would give me the peek that I needed. But alas, that looks not to be 😃 I'll keep watching your project as it is very interesting. Thanks.

[@FishingOntario]

Really eh!? Well I think I saw the remnants of a previous install when I was digging around down there, if there is anything to go off of I’ll get you some pictures

[@joeb7508]

I would call those wooden structures Cribbing or Cribbing blocks

[@FishingOntario]

That is very accurate

[@jamessawkins3301]

If I need any repairs on my boat I'll just bring it to you

[@FishingOntario]

Any time man! Truck is just to not damage them, lol😉

[@ZimaBass]

I've just started to restore my Hydra Sports 1978 bass boat! And I was Looking for this video haha, great idea for lifting the boat off the trailer! I also have my KZbin channel if you want to come and see my restoration process! Greetings from México!

[@FishingOntario]

Good on you! Hydrasports are awesome, I own a 1997 171 as well! I will absolutely be checking out your build, thanks for checking out mine!

[@FishMD]

Amazing how someone can disrespect a boat like that isn’t it?

[@FishingOntario]

Hard to believe someone could let such a huge dollar item fall into neglect

[@thebigcountry8518]

... oof 🤦‍♂️

[@FishingOntario]

The osmosis, right? Lol