[Rhodes22-list] Lifting and Jacking the Rhodes

Ric Stott ric at stottarchitecture.com
Mon Jul 21 14:27:33 EDT 2025


Thanks Roger - 
I have jacked up, lifted moved and painted a lot of boats. 
The trailer jacks sound like a brilliant idea. 
But this too is not for the old and or frail. 
 I plan to build a new swivel lift at my house with a hydraulic arm.
To use it I will lower the bow as far as possible, (with a car jack)  then use two jack stands (with chain ties)  at the stern.
Then jack up the front of the trailer  with the car jack.  
Then I will simply swing the arm into place over the bow, attache my hoist strapping and lift the bow until I can pull the trailer out. 
Then I can use my other three jack stands to stabilize the boat. 
When it’s done, I’ll share photos. 
Ric 


> On Jul 21, 2025, at 10:51 AM, ROGER PIHLAJA <roger_pihlaja at msn.com> wrote:
> 
> 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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Richard F. Stott, AIA, LEED AP 
ric at stottarchitecture.com
C- 516-965-3164





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