boat lift

W

williamsburg

New member
I have always kept my boat in a slip in a marina. Recently a slip became available with an overhead lift capable of raising 10,000 pounds. I am now the proud lessee.
I have never had a lift or a boat trailer so I have come for advice. The previous boat was a catamaran and the bunks are very widely spaced. Is there a recommended distance between bunks for the CD22 or is it strictly trial and error. Also, I guess after spacing the bunks they should be angled to best fit the surface of the hull.
Appreciate the help and all the kind help in the past.
 
I have a boat lift which has held both a 22 Cruiser and now my TC255. If you have a trailer, take a look at the supports and it'll give you an idea of where to put the supports. I think there may be a picture in my album of the 22 on the lift, I'll look and if so, post it here. Nope, the pix has my TC on it. Didn't have the 22 for long after the lift was installed.

That hull is pretty forgiving. I'd guess a spacing of about 4ft, center to center would be pretty good, if you have the leeway, put it a little closer at the bow end and the boat will sit more level, otherwise the bow will sit lower.

Charlie
 
There are many different designs of boat lifts out there. Whichever one you have, make sure you get instructions on it's operation form the owner and watch out for your fingers. These are powerful mechanical devices and they can cause injury or death.

The bunks are adjustable and you will have to do some measuring to find your starting point and maybe a few adjustment by trial and error.

Also pay attention to the tidal changes at your dock and look for what the lowest tide you will be allowed to motor onto the lift in it's down position. You may find that silt will need to be removed in order for the lift to go down far enough to get your boat on at low tide.

Watch your head when boarding and deboarding the boat on any overhead beams, they can give you and your guest a headache to not be forgotten.

What you save on bottom painting will more then pay for any additional cost of a slip with a lift. Enjoy.
 
Our tides here are not very severe. I have never had a problem getting on the lift at low, of course, each situation is different. The lift beams should have large PVC marker poles (2") or so vertical as guides for you to get centered as you come in. They should allow you about 2" or so on either side of the boat. Mark the vertical poles with black tape at the point that it allows the boat to float freely. Then you'll know when you come back and the tide has gone out whether you need to lower it some more to keep from pushing the beams around.

Good idea too to mark a spot in the cockpit with a little piece of tape or something to let you know when the fore/aft position is right. Put it next to the aft vertical marker pole. I'll try to get some pix later today and post them.

Charlie
 
Well, I did find a photo of Captain's Choice, my CD22 on the lift. Looks to me as if the lift rails (paralell to boat long axis) are about 5' apart. The two appendages betweek them are the lower units of my twin Honda 45s. If you go to my ALBUM the sub-album called "Captain's Choice gets a New Home", you can see the lift now with the TC255 on it. Just pushed the lift rails closer together to clear the tunnel between the hulls and installed two long 2X12s between the lifting beams that the twin hulls rest on. You can also see the black tape I put on the vertical guides that indicate to me that the lift is low enough for the boat to enter without hitting the lifting beams.

Boat_House_002.sized.jpg
 
I've used an overhead boat lift for many years but mine is a sling lift so I can't offer any advice on bunks but I'd like to reinterate what Mike said. Lifts are great but it's very easy to get a finger or hand caught in a pulley while raising or lowering your boat. I've got a remote control for my lift which is great when single handing but if you have passengers aboard while lowering or raising make sure they stay clear of the pulleys. I've got stainless steel cables but I still change them out about every five years (probably overkill) and check the cable clamps periodicly. Good luck and enjoy your new lift.
 
People do NOT ride in the boat going up or down. They get on/off the boat whilst it is waterborne. Warnings are on the lifts that are very explicit and even if they were not there, it would be my personal rule!

Charlie
 
Captains Cat said:
People do NOT ride in the boat going up or down. They get on/off the boat whilst it is waterborne. Warnings are on the lifts that are very explicit and even if they were not there, it would be my personal rule!

Charlie
Click to expand...

You are absolutely correct! I never did it in 10 years of owning a lift and I never speed in my car. :wink
 
Thanks!! Just what I needed to know - safety tips as well as technical. Will move the boat to the lift this weekend. I guess I should powerwash the bottom and get my last coat of bottom paint to make it pretty.
 
Back
Top