[Rhodes22-list] Lifting and Jacking the Rhodes

[ROGER PIHLAJA]

Hi Ric,

If you look in the R22 archives, you will find a picture of my boat trailer with swiveling trailer jacks mounted on the frame of the trailer, port and starboard near the rear of the trailer.  Using these two jacks + the tongue jack will enable you to change a flat.  It also enables us to level the boat for use as a travel trailer.  We get the oddest looks in RV parks!  But, for your purpose it also enables the boat/trailer to be lifted, boat supported on jack stands, and then the trailer lowered out of the way for bottom painting or other maintenance.  You will need a dozen or so 4”x6”x24” wooden blocks to use as cribbing.

I will give you some precautions:

1. Always chain the jack stands together so they don’t slide outboard port and starboard.

2. If you are working on any surface but concrete, put a sheet of plywood under the jack stands so they don’t sink.

3.  Don’t locate the jack stand support pads on the hull any closer than 10” away from any thru hull fittings.

Good Luck!

Roger Pihlaja
S/V Dynamic Equilibrium
1978. Sanford, MI
Sent from my iPhone

> On Jul 21, 2025, at 10:24 AM, John Buhrmann <jbuhrmann at gmail.com> wrote:
>
> We had a similar collapse and switch to gantry. You can see the adventure
> here:
>
> https://svcalliope.wordpress.com/2025/03/23/rhodes-22/
>
>> On Mon, Jul 21, 2025, 9:59 AM Ric Stott <ric at stottarchitecture.com> wrote:
>>
>> It’s tricky.
>> I  have used a number of ways to lift the bow so the trailer can be pulled
>> out and replaced.
>> This year (would have been the 4th season on the bottom paint) I used a
>> friends fork- lift- it worked great.
>> In the past I have used a gantry that I built out or 5/4 x 6 & plywood
>> with a 4 x 8 pressure treated girder across the top and a 3 ton come-a-long.
>> I built the parts, put it together lying on the ground, then pulled it up
>> with a line while standing on the bow after staking the bottom to the
>> ground so it would not slide.
>> If you afraid of heights - this method is not for you.
>> I worked this all single handed and it wasn’t tooo difficult, but my aging
>> back is making it impossible to do that these days, especially by myself..
>> The fork lift was much easier. . .
>> When I used the gantry, I left it in place.  My friend had to take his toy
>> away so I didn’t have the fork-lift for back up.
>> I use the bow ring to lift the bow, but I had recently rebelt the baking
>> so I knew it was very strong - always know what is behind the thing you are
>> fighting from.
>> Anyway, 3 jacks initially, two in the stern and one just forward of the
>> keel- so there is nothing in the way of the trailer wheels.
>> Then (this is not shown) add one  jack on each side, about midship, for
>> stability, for a total of 5 jacks while you are working  on the boat.
>> The two amidship can be moved  fore and aft while you are sanding and
>> painting.
>> The two in the stern and one forward of the keel, are left in place and
>> those three spots are sanded and painted once the boat is back on the
>> trailer.
>> Always, be extra safe and careful. I had the boat fall off the  jacks once
>> when I was jacking it with a hydraulic jack and a 4 x 4  without the Gantry
>> or Fork lift.
>> It scared the shit out of me, so now I’m always super careful and take my
>> time for every action when I’m moving the boat.
>> Fortunately, I didn’t get hurt and neither did Dadventure.
>> Good luck in your adventure.
>> Ric
>> SV Dadventure
>> Hampton Bays, NY
>>
>>>> On Jul 20, 2025, at 11:42 AM, Kenwood _ <kenwood364 at gmail.com> wrote:
>>>
>> 
>>
>> 
>>
>>
>>
>> 
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>> Hey all!
>>> I'm planning on lifting and jacking my rhodes up on blocks and boat
>> jacks.
>>> Boatyard style. This is my first time taking a boat as big as the rhodes
>>> off its trailer and doing this. We're planning some major trailer service
>>> and thats whats bringing this about. Its illegal in my state to moor or
>>> anchor overnight and the few places that rent legal moorings are
>> extremely
>>> sought after, so, jacking is our option.
>>>
>>> I can lift the boat off the trailer but for placement on the ground i was
>>> thinking to block under the keel and use short boat stands front and
>> rear,
>>> then much taller stands all around to keep the boat upright. Is this plan
>>> correct? Anyone have tips? Would very much love to hear thank you!
>>
>> Richard F. Stott, AIA, LEED AP
>> ric at stottarchitecture.com
>> C- 516-965-3164
>>
>>
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