moving large boat

[Jerry Gibbs]

I am in the talk is cheap stage. I may restore a large boat, such as a 42 Grand Banks classic, or build a similiar size plywood/fibreglass trawler. One question is moving such a large boat to and from a private, non-marine building site. Can professional boat movers unload such a boat without a crane or travel lift? Do I need a crane on site? How about building my own trailer that the boat sits on for the duration of the build/rebuild. Obviously I want to build on the cheapest buiding site practical and then move the boat to a marina to launch. I notice several large sailboats being restored in back yards, but I haven't noticed how they got there. Thanks.

[Gary Bergman]

Call around for a half day bare rental on a 65 or 70 ton grove lowboy crane. Best bet in the long run for boat safety. Don't know your area but should be around 500 yankee frogskins.

[Gary E]

Jerry,
There are trailers that will slide under a boat that size while the boat is on blocks in the boat yard, it will pick up the boat and haul it away. No travel lift or crane required. I sugest you call boat movers listed in the yellow pages.

Good luck

G

[J. A.Tones]

I had our 36 foot wooden ex-fishboat brought home last spring for re-fit by a commercial boat moving company. It was loaded at the marina via a straddle lift onto the trailer and when they got to my home they took about 20 mins. to off load her onto blocks. Basically they lowered the hitch end of the trailer, put blocks under the aft keel and jack stands at the aft sides. They then lifted the front untill she was on the aft blocks, blocked the bow and then pulled the axel out of the trailer and pulled the trailer out from under the boat and jack stands. I have seen them do the loading and basically it is a reverse of the off load proceedures. This outfit has the advantage of being very speciallized and hve custom built this "small boat" trailer themselves with all hydraulic funcions. This firm routinly moves 70 to 100 ft vessels in this area with their "big boat" trailer which operates the same way only its MUCH bigger and stronger.
I would check the yellow pages if you are anywhere near the water and you should find someone listed under "boat movers". Failing this you should be able to find a commercial equipment moving firm that would be able to funcion just as well but if they don't have a speciallized boat trailer it might take them a while longer.
Good Luck

John Tones MV Penta
Sidney, BC

[kialoa]

Jerry
check out my web site for the moving story. I used a crane at my end .If you go the crane route make sure they use spreader bars
good luck

Rich