Dry Docking

Maintenance
Removal from Trailer (Dry Docking)
Updated 05/30/99 Submitted by Missie Coley of the Victoria 18 Forum Mail Comments/ Data/ Pictures/Suggestions to: The Victoria 18 Forum
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From: MISSIEC May-29 10:05 am #94.9, in reply to 94.8 prev 9 of 10 Missie and her husband are in the process repainting a Victoria 18 that they recently purchased. In order to paint her hull, Missie decided it would be best to remove the Victoria from the trailer, and place her on the ground. Each side could then be painted by rolling the Victoria 18 from one side to the other when necessary. Here is her account of the trailer, and rudder removal. We did it with 3 people. My husband, my Dad and myself.

First, we lowered the front of the trailer as far as it would go with the trailer jack.

Then blocked up underneath the keel just in front of the rudder--be sure that the eye on the bow is clear of the bow stop guard (our's wasn't the first try).

Next, raise the tongue of the trailer as high as the trailer jack will let it go. Between the trailer cross members put blocks on the forward edge of the keel spaced so you can move the trailer forward and still have enough support under the keel to keep it steady. You will eventually pull the trailer forward so far that it will knock the blocks down if you keep going.

At that point, just forward of the center of the keel (forward of center of balance) place another set of blocks. Again move the trailer forward until you're right at the blocks.

Repeat moving the blocks so that when the trailer clears, one set of blocks is still on the keel just forward of the rudder and one set of blocks is supporting the keel just forward (barely) of the middle (center of balance) of the keel.

At this point, the trailer should be clear of the boat with the boat balanced on two sets of blocks and one person on either side of the boat keeping her steady. Then we slid the trailer the rest of the way out. It teeters a LOT at this point, so be CAREFUL! (make sure your blocks are steady)

Since the set of blocks in the middle of the keel should be at the boats center of balance tilting the boat forward slightly will allow you to pull the blocks out from in front of the rudder. Leaving it balanced only on the center set of blocks with a man on each side and one at the bow.

Then, lift the stern of the boat until the keel touches in front and then with everybody on the side that will go to the ground gently lay her on her side. ( My Mom came out and helped at this point, because we really needed another person).

Once she's on her side we used a landscape timber as a lever and lifted the keel enough to remove the blocks that were in the center and place a brace fore and aft to support the keel.

That's it! I warn you, this was a JOB! This was the toughest thing we've encountered so far. When we put her back on the trailer, we're calling my uncles for help, but we got the job done without any serious disaster. It didn't take a lot of muscle, just some careful placement and slow progress.

The least expensive quote we got for having her blocked up at a boat yard by professionals was $75. to block her up and $25. per day to leave her there and paint. Mind you, I'm painting by myself around my work and school schedule, so this is not going to be a quick project. It could have run into some big $$$. Plus, at Mom and Dad's house it's under two huge pecan trees for shade!

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