Forks Moving a small boat w/ forks

[KennK]

I have a small (16') aluminum row boat with a small (3 HP) outboard motor. I just acquired some property on a lake, and I was thinking that it might be convenient to move the boat around using modified forks. I'm picturing carrying the boat with the bow toward the tractor, and the stern (motor) away from the tractor.

1. Have you seen a setup like this?

2. Do you think a JD 3320 with sufficient rear weight would handle this? I don't really know how much the whole thing weights. Figure that two adults can carry it all - maybe three with the motor on.

Your thoughts?

 

[beenthere]

Your JD3320 will carry it easy.

 

[jenkinsph]

Large boats are moved with fork lifts in storage sheds all the time and placed on racks. When an owner calls the boats are plucked from their rack and set in the water with the forklift. Main difference I see is the forks are much longer and padded with carpet, typically the stern is carried towards the forks. If you look at boat trailers the axle is close to the transom not the bow, indicative that the balance point is close to the stern.

 

[pat32rf]

I carry my 13' aluminium on a set of 6' pipes that slip over my forks. I space them about 18" apart so they are just inside my outer sponsons, keelsons, whatever they are called. I carry from the rear and the weight of my 8hp keeps everything in balance. Its about 400' from my barn to my launch ramp, down a few hills and around some tight turns. Just remember to have a rope on the boat that you can reach from shore when you set it in the water.....Its a lot easier than trying to back a trailer down to the lake.

 

[KennK]

I carry my 13' aluminium on a set of 6' pipes that slip over my forks. I space them about 18" apart so they are just inside my outer sponsons, keelsons, whatever they are called. I carry from the rear and the weight of my 8hp keeps everything in balance. Its about 400' from my barn to my launch ramp, down a few hills and around some tight turns. Just remember to have a rope on the boat that you can reach from shore when you set it in the water.....Its a lot easier than trying to back a trailer down to the lake.

That is EXACTLY what I'm thinking of doing!! The pole barn is about 650 ft from the water's edge. I was thinking that with the bow end toward the tractor I could just lower the stern into the water ... with a rope tied off to the tractor so I didn't loose it altogether.

How do you keep the 6' pipes from slipping off the ends of the forks?

BTW, I don't own forks yet ... I continue to compile my list of potential uses