The first time we transported the boat, we hired a vehicle normally used to shift whole houses, which had a trailer that could be lowered or raised hydraulically. This time, we decided that feature was an unnecessary luxury ($2000 extra cost). The trailer that Casey was bringing was a regular flat-top 40′ semi-trailer, with a height of 1500mm at the front, and 1300mm at the rear.
We figured that the boat had to be raised four concrete blocks (800mm total) at the rear, and three blocks (600mm) at the front. This would allow sufficient clearance under the bridgedeck to back the trailer under and place the stacks of truck and 4WD tyres that the boat would rest on.
The boat had been loaded with most of the workshop equipment and un-installed boat bits, and I calculated that it weighed around 4 tonnes. Two 2000kg trolley jacks alongside each other were used to jack the boat.
Moving the trolley jacks back and forth between the main beam and the back beam, we raised the boat, inserted additional blocks, then lowered the boat onto the new blocks, until the required stack was obtained. Because the boat is so stiff, jacking at the port rear raised the starboard rear, and vice-versa.
After getting the tyres in position, the boat was jacked up slightly, blocks on one side removed, and then lowered onto the tyres. This was repeated on the other side.
Almost ready for transporting tomorrow – we still had to add tie-downs to the stern cleats.
The Scrumble Project 