All:
At some point soon I wish to put bunks on my EZ Loader trailer (recent purchase of old boat) instead of the rollers that are there. I am lucky to live where EZ Loaders are manufactured, and they have everything I need to do a quick and elegant refit.
In your vast and varied nautical repair experiences, what are some acceptable methods for lifting the boat a few feet off the trailer? I know I could rent an engine lift and put a wide strap around the boat.
I could build a simple tripod/four-legged stand over the boat with 4x4's 12' long - would that hold the 550 lbs. or so that it weighs?
Or, If I can prop up one side of the boat at a time I would be able to refit one side of the trailer and then the other. If I put a long brace under the hull/topsides ledge seam, I could gently raise that side of the boat with struts. Would this put too much stress on that seam?
Other deas for raising the boat a few feet while on the trailer in the driveway? I'm new to boat ownership and am ingnorant of hull stresses and limits.
Thanks,
Carlos