Boat Put on Trailer

Yesterday, I finally put the boat on the trailer. I found that it doesn't sit as well as it should according to the plans, so I am looking for a trailer keel roller that is flat that will raise up the bow and help the rest of the boat hull sit tightly against the bunks. I am also trying to determine the best position for the boat on the trailer to make sure it will pull correctly. I wanted to keep the beavertail part past the end of the trailer which would allow the motor to be completely down without hitting the trailer, so I am still looking at that option as well.
That is my girlfriend Jamie, who helped me put the boat on the trailer. I used a engine hoist and a large dolly I had made for a past project.
1.5 hours

Trailer Bunks Carpeted

Today, I finished carpeting the trailer bunks. Pics to come.

By the Way!

The reason I haven't been working on this boat as much as I would like is because of this!! It is almost finished, and all Pat and I have to do is put the rest of the interior in and a few small details and it will be flying soon! This will be one SWEET flying airplane!
The panel has a double Chelton EFIS with a complete steam gauge stack, autopilot, Garmin 340, 430, and 327 and an extra SL-40 radio. The autopilot can be switched to be used on the Chelton or the Garmin 430. There is no vacuum on the airplane, as it is a completely electric panel. Less weight and less money!

Trailer Jack and Trailer Lights Installed

Yesterday, after working on Pat's RV-9A and getting it very close to flying, I finally got back to work on the wiring and lights on the trailer. I also used conduit wherever I could to help with future abrasion issues. They were checked on my Dodge Quad Cab and work good! I was going to give it a test tow without the boat on it, but haven't yet.
I also installed the trailer jack the other day. It is a Tool Shop brand? from Menards that was on sale for $24.99 and is the 1500 pound version with a two year warranty! I couldn't find a better deal than that anywhere.
3 hours
Does anybody reading this know how to fix the new way the photos are put in the blog? I can not seem to get them to line up correctly now, as they will not let me put them side by side.

Trailer Finished Except for the Lights

Yesterday, I assembled the rest of the parts onto the tongue area after they semi-dryed from the painting yesterday. I also installed a 1/2" bolt through the two plates, the 2" x 2" tongue and two shims. I then drilled a 3/8" hole through the top front coupler hole and used one of the original bolts for the original coupler and used that to attach the safety chain.

I also installed the wood bunks with 5/16" galvanized carraige bolts.

4.5 hours

Painted Trailer Parts

Today, I spent the morning painting all of the parts of the trailer that were primed or still had red showing from the first painting. I also installed the coupler with new 1/2" x 3 1/2" grade 5 bolts, lock washers and nuts. I will install all of the painted parts tomorrow and then it will be ready for the wood bunks to be installed.
2.5 hours

Boat Trailer Welded Up

Yesterday and Today, I welded up all of the trailer parts and made the Harbor Freight trailer into the boat trailer. I also welded up all of the connections on the Harbor Freight trailer, so if I need to, I can take out all of the bolts that now hold it together. I then cleaned and painted all of the welded areas, as well as the other side where the paint was burned off, the normal Smoke Gray.

All I need to do now is paint the trailer tongue and associated parts the Smoke Gray and attach the new coupler with the 1/2" x 3" bolts, then attach the wood for the bunks. I will also make one more modification to the front plate area by drilling a 1/2" hole and put one bolt through there. I don't know if I will weld it after that or not. It will not really be needed. I also need to put a tapered shim under the winch as the bar was welded on a little crooked.

I will not show any of the welds I accomplished as they were not great. Strong enough but not pretty. I used my Miller Econotig welder which is a tig welder and a stick welder. I used 6010 and 6013 electrodes, and I found I liked the 6013 better as they were easier to weld with and make a somewhat better looking weld. I was going to try tig welding alot of them, but my hose for my argon bottle broke when my bottle fell over. Need a new one now.

10 hours

New Trailer Tongue and Some Angle Iron

Today I spent the time going to get new 2" x 2" x 1/8" thick square tubing and some 1 1/2" angle 3/16" thick. I then trial fit all of the new pieces into place (no pictures of that) and cleaned them with acetone, then primered with the Rust-Oleum White Primer. I also primed the two flat plates that will be at the front of the A-frame. These pieces will be primed again tomorrow if needed, or will be painted the usual Smoke Gray.

6 hours (including travel time)