Handy step

[JHS]

When I bought my FS this summer, the seller threw in a sturdy little A-Frame stool type thing on which the hitch end of the trailer sits when not attached to the hitch. (My trailer doesn’t have a jack). It’s just about the same height as the ball hitch but slightly higher so when the truck is backed up to it, it can just be lowered a few inches onto the ball. It’s nicer and lighter than a cinderblock which is often used and when I take off I throw it in the back of the truck. This also serves as a quite handy little step that I use to get into and out of the Scot while it’s on the trailer and I am rigging her. If anyone wants to see a photo of this, please e-mail me.

“If the sea did wild or wicked things, it was because she could not help them.” – Hemmingway

[karafiath]

If this is the small wood step ( $18 at Home Depot) then an even more usefull function for many of us is to place it under the rear of the boat and use the trailer jack to elevate the tongue as high as it goes. The boat is then mostly level, and the mast can be stepped /unstepped without being hitched to the car.

[JHS]

It’s not, it was a homemade job. I am curious – when/why would stepping the mast be done when not hitched to a car? I only seem to step the mast when I am going to sail but I guess for general maintenance it might be done. My step keeps the boat pretty level so I guess if I ever have to step it while parked on the lawn, I’m all set.

“If the sea did wild or wicked things, it was because she could not help them.” – Hemmingway

[sawyerspadre]

At many clubs, the boats rarely get connected to cars as they are hoist-launched and wheeled around by hand on level ground.

You can also have your crew stand on the trailer tongue to prevent the boat from tipping back as you raise the mast.

Phil Scheetz
FS 4086

[Author]

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