TomCat Boat Lift

rstinge1 · Posted: Tue Sep 21, 2021 6:15 am Post subject: TomCat Boat Lift

My 2008 TomCat is on a cradle in dry storage. I am contemplating having a marine contractor install a boat lift behind my home. Does it make sense to incorporate the cradle into the plan? Any thoughts/considerations much appreciated. Design, material, capacity, etc.

thataway · Posted: Tue Sep 21, 2021 11:28 am Post subject:

My lift is designed for 16,000#. I have had a 29 foot express with wide beam, the Tom Cat 255, C Dory 25 and 22, as well as my Caracal cat on the cradle.

I don't see any reason to use a dry storage cradle. My bunks are two 2 x 10 salt water treated true dimensional lumber, covered with artificial turf on each side. The 2 x 10 are spaced about 3" apart on edge. (Total of four 2 x 10.

The lift is 20 years old. I have had not major issues with it. Called a 4 pole life--that is there are 4 pilings which bear the weight on the top of the aluminum I beams and the winder pile--3/4 HP motors geared way down thru a worm gear drive.

The only major issues has been squirrels making a nest and having to clean that out several times. Once they crewed thru the Belt drive..

Note that I have the bow significantly higher than the stern:

Morning Star · Posted: Sun Sep 26, 2021 8:47 pm Post subject:

I agree with Bob that there is no reason to use a dry storage cradle with a lift. When I bought my TomCat a few years ago it came with a dry storage cradle. I looked into using the cradle or parts of it for the lift and saw no benefit. I donated it to the dry stack operator when I picked up my boat. I replaced the monohull bunks on my lift with aluminum catamaran bunks. My lift is similar to Bob’s in configuration. I have had no issues with it.