How to: Paint bottom of my boat

[fishgutts]

I am going to be painting my 22-2 this summer.

I need the simplest/easiest way to get my boat up off the trailer to paint the bottom.  I need some advice from some of you that have painted your hulls.  Thanks guys.

[Callyb]

What kind of paint are you planning on using?

I'm going somewhere with this....

[h20ryder]

Do you want to pull the trailer from under it or just lift it above the trailer? Cribbing blocks are what I used made from 16" 2x4s. Jacked up the boat by the keel then removed the bunks. But crawling like a snake over the trailer frame is not fun so if you have room to store your trailer that is what I would suggest. Some good info on cribbing: http://www.boathauling.ca/blocking.htm

[fishgutts]

Probably going with Awlgrip... but have not decided yet.

Open to suggestions.

Have any of you kept on the trailer and just jacked it up from there?

[Callyb]

I was thinking you were doing anti-foul... In which case I would just paint it on the trailer and once it dried, I would jog the boat over enough to get the spots you couldn't get to. Maybe not the best idea with the awlgrip. There isn't really an "easy" way that i know of to get the boat off of they trailer for this purpose, at least without equipment.

I'm sure someone will come along with a good idea.

[h20ryder]

Probably going with Awlgrip... but have not decided yet.

Open to suggestions.

Have any of you kept on the trailer and just jacked it up from there?

My boat is still "on" the trailer but jacked up. Front keel is supported with a jackstand and the 2 rear corners are cribbed. Started by sliding the hull back 16 inches on the bunks so there was stern overhang when the trailer was on the ground then jacked the entire trailer up with the boat still on it. Then slipped the crib blocks under the rear corners of the hull and lowered the jack which just lowered the trailer. Then unbolted and removed bunks.

[fishgutts]

That is a big help... thanks for the advice and picture.  Do you have any more pictures of the process?

[wingtime]

Actually it can be done using the trailer jack alone. Start the same way as above with the stern of the boat pulled back on the trailer a bit. Lower the trailer tongue down as low as you can get it. Build your blocks or cribbing under the chines. Raise the tongue of the trailer. This will put weight on the blocks. Tie the stern of the boat off to something solid. Pull the trailer forward. (you may have to do this with a strap) Depending on the design of your trailer, cross members and the bunks you may have alternate between two keel blocks to get the trailer out from under the boat. Also a few more chines blocks couldn't hurt.