Winter Project. . .but how?

[flaswaliba]

I bought a 93 Sport Nautique back in August from another member of PN. I would like to state how impressed I am with the quality of the boat and the usefulness of this community. The boat had only 308 hours on it (original PCM Pro Boss 5.8 HO)when I bought it. Now it has over 340. The interior is immaculate and all original. However, there is some oxidation (chalkiness) on the hull, and the decals are missing. I'm pretty sure of the method I'll use to bring the gelcoat back to life, but I need advice on two things.

1) The boat was kept on a lift in a boathouse. Thus, the trailer sat out in the yard, and it needs some cosmetic work. Since I trailer my boat to and from the lake and do not have a lake house, what can I do to get it off the trailer to do the general maintenance of sandblasting, repainting, and various parts replacement?

2) Since I'll be wetsanding, polishing, buffing, etc. the boat, I need to have it off of the trailer as the underside should be done at the same time. How can I do this in my garage, since the boat is currently enjoying its winter nap (not hybernation) in my heated garage waiting to give me a pull on one of those warm North Carolina, winter days.

Oh, one more thing: Where can I get the original Sport Nautique decals? I really would like to keep the boat looking all original (other than the added tower I've already installed).

Thanks in advance for the advice. PN is such a great tool!

[Andrew]

RE: Winter Project. . .but how?

u can either build a frame to hang it from, sturdy ur rafters up enough to hang from them, or build stands to support the boat from underneath (only drawback being that u can't get to the hull where the stands are....)

[Quinner]

RE: Winter Project. . .but how?

Not a real difficult task, if you don't find the info here through a search check out www.CorrectCraftFan.com as there have been several guy's there who have done exactly what you would like to do, you will find threads discussing both your questions.

Good Luck

[flaswaliba]

RE: Winter Project. . .but how?

Not a real difficult task, if you don't find the info here through a search check out www.CorrectCraftFan.com as there have been several guy's there who have done exactly what you would like to do, you will find threads discussing both your questions.

Good Luck

Thanks Quinner. What would be appropriate keywords to input as a search at www.correctcraftfan.com?

[flaswaliba]

Re: RE: Winter Project. . .but how?

u can either build a frame to hang it from, sturdy ur rafters up enough to hang from them, or build stands to support the boat from underneath (only drawback being that u can't get to the hull where the stands are....)

I've contemplated this idea, but how would I raise the boat up off of the trailer? I need to replace the bunk carpeting, the fender wood and carpeting, replace the electrical lines, brake lines, lights, etc. The trailer is in great structural shape; it just needs a makeover.

[Andrew]

RE: Re: RE: Winter Project. . .but how?

if ur gonna use stands, carefully jack up the front and rear with with a safe combination of blocks and bottle jacks. if hanging is an option, then u'll want to buy, rent, or borrow a chain hoist or something similar....... or, u could jack the boat up with a bottle jack and then pull ur chain/cable/strap tight enough to allow the boat to hang free after u remove the jack.....

[Kozmo]

Here is an option I saw used on a an MC...

[flaswaliba]

Re: RE: Re: RE: Winter Project. . .but how?

if ur gonna use stands, carefully jack up the front and rear with with a safe combination of blocks and bottle jacks. if hanging is an option, then u'll want to buy, rent, or borrow a chain hoist or something similar....... or, u could jack the boat up with a bottle jack and then pull ur chain/cable/strap tight enough to allow the boat to hang free after u remove the jack.....

Could I then pull the trailer out from under the boat without risking hitting the jacks with the trailer?

Kozmo, if I had a backhoe and a forklift I'd be on that!!!!!!!!

[tourpro]

RE: Re: RE: Re: RE: Winter Project. . .but how?

What about renting a bay with an overhead crane ??

[NautiqueJeff]

RE: Re: RE: Re: RE: Winter Project. . .but how?

Try borrowing a similar trailer for use while you work on yours. Or try keeping the boat on the water while you do the work.

[flaswaliba]

Re: RE: Re: RE: Re: RE: Winter Project. . .but how?

Try borrowing a similar trailer for use while you work on yours. Or try keeping the boat on the water while you do the work.

Thanks for the input, Jeff. I've tinkered with that idea. Lake Wheeler in Raleigh, NC is right around the corner from my cabinet shop. So, if anyone in the Raleigh area has his or her boat on a lift and could let me borrow a trailer that would fit a 93 CC Sport Nautique, that would be great. Any takers???? I would greatly appreciate it and would be willing to pay for the inconvenience, if any.

matt

[Andrew]

Re: RE: Re: RE: Winter Project. . .but how?

if ur gonna use stands, carefully jack up the front and rear with with a safe combination of blocks and bottle jacks. if hanging is an option, then u'll want to buy, rent, or borrow a chain hoist or something similar....... or, u could jack the boat up with a bottle jack and then pull ur chain/cable/strap tight enough to allow the boat to hang free after u remove the jack.....

Could I then pull the trailer out from under the boat without risking hitting the jacks with the trailer?

Kozmo, if I had a backhoe and a forklift I'd be on that!!!!!!!!

if u hang it, then SURE! but if ur using stands, then u'll have to navigate the jacks around the prop gaurd and such.....

[G]

RE: Re: RE: Re: RE: Winter Project. . .but how?

If you just want to work on the trailer, White lake Marine has a lift and they had a old trailer that they use to set boats on. You could call and ask if you could use that, I don't know what they would charge. I'm talking about the Burlington store not at White lake. I go there since I live 10 miles away, and your probably 50 or so away from Raleigh. As far as the buffing, my 88 was the same way, kept on lift, and I only had the sides and back sanded and buffed, and I got new decals from White Lake. The bottom I got some creapers and just waxed the bottom and it looks brand new.

[flaswaliba]

Re: RE: Re: RE: Re: RE: Winter Project. . .but how?

If you just want to work on the trailer, White lake Marine has a lift and they had a old trailer that they use to set boats on. You could call and ask if you could use that, I don't know what they would charge. I'm talking about the Burlington store not at White lake. I go there since I live 10 miles away, and your probably 50 or so away from Raleigh. As far as the buffing, my 88 was the same way, kept on lift, and I only had the sides and back sanded and buffed, and I got new decals from White Lake. The bottom I got some creapers and just waxed the bottom and it looks brand new.

Thanks G. That's something I never had really thought of, and it sounds like the best option. I'll give them a call concerning this. You said you got some creapers to wax the bottom of the boat. Pardon my ignorance, but what is a "creaper". Thanks so much for you help.

matt

[bkhallpass]

RE: Re: RE: Re: RE: Re: RE: Winter Project. . .but how?

A creeper is a flat board on coasters which mechanics use to role on their backs underneath cars. It usually has a padded headreast as well. Over the longs haul, it is a lot less tiring than crawling around under a car or boat. You can buy them at any auto parts store.

Search for "A Frame" on correctcraftfan.com, and you'll see photos of how I and others have lifted the boat off the trailer.

With blocks and a Floor jack, you can do it as well. Lift the front of your trailer as high as it will go. put blocks under the bow of the boat. use a floor jack to lift tthe back of the boat. Move the trailer forward a few inches and block the back of the boat up. now use your floor jack under the bow, you'l have to lift, and block a few times as you'll only be able to move the trailer until it hits the jack and blocks. I did this on a 98 sport nautique in my driveway, no problem. BKH