www.iFourWinns.com

I have never had to "lay up" a boat for the winter and now I have to store the 93 245 Vista I bought recently in my yard. For you guys that don't have trailers --How do you block it up? I assume that a travel lift or hydraulic trailer pulls you out? Any idea how I can get this boat off my bunk trailer?

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Marc, Kathlin & Nathalie


'89 Chaparral Laser 32

'93 Vista 245, 5.8L w/ King Cobra

Former Boats
'01 H260, 7.4 VP Duoprop
'98 H200, 5.0 GL w/VP SX drive

Get the back corners of the boat on stands leaving only the front on the trailer
It's a process to block/jack up the boat/shimmy the trailer forward - moving blocks and redistributing weight.

At least, that's how I've heard it done in the past.

Not fun.

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2008 318 Vista -SOLD, but I am still around!
All Night Long, Seattle WA

Yeah I figured as much...The no fun part. All the cross members on my trailer are going to allow me to only pull the trailer ahead 18-24" at a time plus I will need to secure the back of the boat to something solid so I don't pull it off the back jacks! I am sure that this will be a game of patience, skill, trust and goodluck all at the same time! Loading it back on in the spring will be equally as big of a PITA !!! Hopefully by then I have it's own trailer.

_________________
Marc, Kathlin & Nathalie


'89 Chaparral Laser 32

'93 Vista 245, 5.8L w/ King Cobra

Former Boats
'01 H260, 7.4 VP Duoprop
'98 H200, 5.0 GL w/VP SX drive

Launch the boat, and have a marina use a hydraulic trailer to move the boat to it's storage facility, and it can be put on stands that way. It's probably hard to tell from this picture, but our boat is on that type of trailer here.



They back it in to it's winter home. Put stands on the hull, lower the trailer and pull it out.
Then block it. And she sleeps all winter like that.



It's the way our facility does all their boats, since they do not have a travel lift. They have a larger trailer for the 40' to 65' boats, it works the same way. Or, many marina's that have in and out service, just use a huge fork lift. pull it out of the water, put it on stands and blocks, and pull the forks out. That is what will be used for our winter lay up this year, as we are rack storing it this year for a change, and it's cheaper too.

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One of 4 Previous (Sold) Boats:
2000 Four Winns 268 Vista

Current Boat: 2004 Chaparral 235 ssi cuddy

Thanks Cap'n! That picture gives me a better idea as to the amount of support that is required. I'll have to get myself some material so I can build some stands. I have lots of blocking material around the house so that won't be a problem. I have thought about getting the local marina to use their trailer but I am afraid to ask because they are so expensive! they charged my buddy $400 to pick up his sailboat and take it 5 minutes to their yard and launch it. Total time spent was less than 1.5 hours!

_________________
Marc, Kathlin & Nathalie


'89 Chaparral Laser 32

'93 Vista 245, 5.8L w/ King Cobra

Former Boats
'01 H260, 7.4 VP Duoprop
'98 H200, 5.0 GL w/VP SX drive

I hear ya, it cost me $150 to have mine hauled 3 miles from the ramp to the dealer for service once. Only had to do it once luckily. You might ask the marina anyway, and
show the driver a case or two of fine Canadian beverage, and the price might just be lower.

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One of 4 Previous (Sold) Boats:
2000 Four Winns 268 Vista

Current Boat: 2004 Chaparral 235 ssi cuddy

I just went down to my back shop and scoped out four nice pipe stands! We have about 30-40 out there in different heights but was originally concerned they wouldn't carry the weight. But upon review of your picture it is obvious to me that the weight is taken by the blocks under the keel and the stands are for side to side stability. I'm going to load 4 small, 4 medium and 4 tall in the truck tonight so I can get this to work. I am stubborn so I will attempt this myself. I have a tractor for an anchor and will just leave my truck attached to the trailer so I can keep pulling out the trailer. It may not go so bad!

_________________
Marc, Kathlin & Nathalie


'89 Chaparral Laser 32

'93 Vista 245, 5.8L w/ King Cobra

Former Boats
'01 H260, 7.4 VP Duoprop
'98 H200, 5.0 GL w/VP SX drive

Make sure you have the video camera running!

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Gordon Arnold
New Hampshire

2003 268 Vista ..................................................................Prior: 97 245 Sundowner

Now, Now that's not very nice! I am confident that i can do this with great success! You'll get a couple of pictures! Hopefully she'll still be standing upright!

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Marc, Kathlin & Nathalie


'89 Chaparral Laser 32

'93 Vista 245, 5.8L w/ King Cobra

Former Boats
'01 H260, 7.4 VP Duoprop
'98 H200, 5.0 GL w/VP SX drive

Hire a small pitman crane in your area, find someone that drives one and offer him cash!

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2001 328 Vista "Nauta Dream 2"
AB Inflatable 10AL "Little Dreamer"
2000 248 Vista
1997 225 Sundowner


Mike

..... Here, hold my beer ....... Watch this!

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Gordon Arnold
New Hampshire

2003 268 Vista ..................................................................Prior: 97 245 Sundowner

I hire cranes on a regualr basis but they don't work weekends without big $$$. It is a good idea though. We had our own pitman here but sold it three years ago. If I don't get her off my trailer this weekend then I will exercise one of these options since I don't want to wait until thers snow on the ground to be doing my winterization and cleaning.

_________________
Marc, Kathlin & Nathalie


'89 Chaparral Laser 32

'93 Vista 245, 5.8L w/ King Cobra

Former Boats
'01 H260, 7.4 VP Duoprop
'98 H200, 5.0 GL w/VP SX drive

That should give you about one more week to Git R' Done

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One of 4 Previous (Sold) Boats:
2000 Four Winns 268 Vista

Current Boat: 2004 Chaparral 235 ssi cuddy

You got that right Cap'n. Going down to just plus 4 C overnight here already! Where the hell is Indian summer?

_________________
Marc, Kathlin & Nathalie


'89 Chaparral Laser 32

'93 Vista 245, 5.8L w/ King Cobra

Former Boats
'01 H260, 7.4 VP Duoprop
'98 H200, 5.0 GL w/VP SX drive

No doubt, still have the boat on lake erie, was hoping to keep it in untill after our canadian thanksgiving!!

_________________
2001 328 Vista "Nauta Dream 2"
AB Inflatable 10AL "Little Dreamer"
2000 248 Vista
1997 225 Sundowner


Mike