Post
by Jimmyt » Mon Jun 08, 2020 8:01 am
Sounds like you got a really nice boat!
You will probably want to have your trailer at the ready throughout hurricane season. Leaving a boat out in even 50-60 mph wind doesn't always work out well. Typical tropical storm winds can easily reach this level. Storm surge makes securing boats at dock a bit of a challenge, also. A lift won't guarantee the boats survival either. We lost a 16 ft inboard during Camille off of a lift that was about 5 ft above the high tide line. A good hurricane will almost certainly severely damage or destroy a boat that's left out. Even if you do a good job of securing your boat, there will likely be large debris and other loose boats in the water during a storm. Now, if you're one of those folks that gets insurance and doesn't worry about losing a boat, you can disregard this post.
If you have the late model aluminum trailer, you could certainly take it apart. However, unless your attic has a very large access door, or a lifting beam and gable door, I don't see how you could get the pieces into the attic.
You will have several days notice that a storm is headed your way. You won't want to spend a day or two of that prep time getting your trailer out of the attic and back together so you can get your boat to a safe spot.
I looked for quite awhile before finding a boat that had a lot of the upgrades I wanted. I've added a few things since, and have more planned. I would not leave it outside during a tropical storm - much less in/over the water.
I'm with Russ. You might be able to take the trailer apart. It is not likely, but possible, that there is a way to get it into your attic. It's not something I would do in the south east, though. I'm a mechanical engineer, with pneumatic tools. I could probably disassemble the trailer in an hour or two - marking and bagging the small bits so I could put it back together quickly. Lifting the large heavy pieces, by myself, into the attic without damaging the house would be another story.
If you get a house on the water in Florida, there's a good chance that it will be built on piling, 8-10 feet above grade. Generally trailers, and other such items are stored under the house.
Interesting idea, though.
Jimmyt
P-Cub-Boo
2013 26M, Etec 60, roller Genoa, roller main
Cruising Waters: Mobile Bay, Western Shore, Fowl River