Tiger Hibernation - Winter Boat Storage

After being inspired by Matt Bounds and his eloquent boat storage solution, I proceeded to do the same. I didn't want to disassemble the boat again and store in the basement. I have an extra deep (30 ft) garage with 11 foot ceilings and decided to utilize this space. I constructed a hoist made of old, spare boat parts and a purchased winch. After some engineering and load balancing, my Tiger has a new winter home. Come spring (or the MWE ) all I have to do is assemble the trailer and lower the boat onto it. I hope that maybe some of you might be inspired to do the same thing. Attached are a few pics. Enjoy.

John




I move my Tiger around on a Trailex Aluminum Trailer (the BEST trailer IMHO). For winter storage I remove the sailbox (4 bolts), mast stand (8 bolts), hull cradles (8 bolts) and undercarriage (6 bolts). Once these are removed, I tilt the trailer on its side and secure to the wall. The snowthrower (foreground) is primed and ready for the white stuff .



Now I can park both vehicles in the garage, with a boat, mast, trailer, sailbox, mountain bikes and surfboards with plenty of room to spare.



All tucked in with the garage door closed. Now my wife won't complain of having to scrape ice and snow off the windshield in the mornings .

Man I wish I had a bigger garage. It takes a tub of vasaline to get my pickup, motorcycle, jetski, and the G.F. SUV in the garage. I disassembled my boat and put it in the basement this winter, I think next year I'm going to build a cart and try to put it on its side against the wall.

Karl,

The big garage was actually a mistake on the builder's part. It was supposed to be a three car garage with a side entry. But there was not enough room for a curved driveway (doh!)...so the builder closed up the 3-car side entry and made it a two car front entry...but now extra deep. It was on the market as a spec house and the garage was a selling point for me and the kitchen was a selling point for the wife. Deal done.

JB

What the heck is a snow blower! Can't say I have ever seen one. Seriously, I could sail year round although the water would be a might chilly during the winter. Sweet having a big garage. My datsun and Mini Cooper pretty much fill mine up. I have to leave the truck outside. It will fit (barely) but has been relegated to the outdoors by the wife. At any rate, nice job.

ET Hobie Guy...

Never seen a snowblower? There's an high speed auger in the front that chews up the snow and forces it through a curved exit chute on the top. Typically it will "throw" the snow about 20-25 feet to the side. Mine's a little residential one. You should see the more industrial grade ones. Sure beats shoveling (and saves your back too)

What part of the world are you located in?

Really nice use of space. I especially like the way you tuck the trailer out of the way on its side.

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Alfred
'87 H16 Sail 89907
If you aren't sailing on the edge, you're taking up too much room.

Dang Tiger,
Thanks for the ad on your trailer box!

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No worries Jeremy...we all know where the "real" surf city is and it's not Huntington Beach. Just spreadin' the love...call it even for the hoodie

Later,
JB

I live in NE Texas. 20 - 25 years ago, we had what some would consider bad winters. Ponds frozen over, quite a few snow days and quite cold temperatures. Now, our winters are mostly mild although the water still gets pretty chilly. Nothing a little wet suit wouldn't solve though.

BTW, I have seen snow blowers in pictures and movies, but never met one in person.

[quote="Tigerboy1"]No worries Jeremy...we all know where the "real" surf city is and it's not Huntington Beach. Just spreadin' the love...call it even for the hoodie

Later,
JB [/quote]

Hey some city hall ace lost the title to HB. Too bad you haven't opened a second store south in "surf city" I'd shop there.

Surf City North is in my garage in Eureka Ca. . And his second parts trailer is my cat box.

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Rich Vilvens
F-18 5150
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