boat lift |
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96SNEFI
Senior Member Joined: March-23-2009 Location: Canada Status: Offline Points: 138 |
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Posted: October-13-2015 at 2:42am |
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Well I did it.I pulled the trigger on a used Shoremaster 3000 or 4000 lb vertical lift. It has the adjustable cradle that I'll need to re-arrange and convert to bunks. It also has the bases and posts for the vertical guides. I might just drop some black pvc pipe over it and call it done. The guides are kinda floppy though so we'll see how well they work in any wave action. It came with the engine stop but that won't be needed. I REALLY need to get some wheels on the thing. It's a bit of a bear to say the least. I'll see how I make out with the manual crank and then decide on a power option.
But I'm pretty excited for next season to get it all set up and using it instead of the anchor and lessening the bathtub ring. Thanks for everybodies input and ideas. If you know of some affordable wheel options please do let me know. I'm quite intrigued with the lever wheels or whatever they're called. I also found some fancy kind of jack idea. But boy these things get spendy in a hurry. |
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steve600
Groupie Joined: June-09-2010 Location: Milton NH Status: Offline Points: 77 |
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I bought a used shorestation lift this summer and I must say I'll probably never be without one now! You can find used ones on craigslist. If you have lots of waves just lift the boat higher, the wheel is a workout going all the way up but its worth it. My boat has never been cleaner!
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96SNEFI
Senior Member Joined: March-23-2009 Location: Canada Status: Offline Points: 138 |
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Ooooohhhhh! Missed on the little canopy detail.
(sheepishly turns away feeling like an idiot) Wife doesn't want a canopy anyway. |
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quinner
Grand Poobah Joined: October-12-2005 Location: Unknown Status: Offline Points: 5828 |
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It's not the lift that created his problem, it is the canopy attached to the lift. If you have a canopy it is extremely important not to leave the lift unloaded (meaning without a boat on it and supported by the bunks) other then when you are out on the lake of course.
The canopy can act as a sail in heavy winds, without the FULL weight of the boat to keep it down, the canopy and lift can literally blow away. Have seen it happen more then once. Bottom line, if you have a canopy, obviously other than when you are out on the lake in your boat, you need to have a boat on the lift supported by the bunks. If your boat is leaving the lake for service, vacation, etc. either remove the canopy vinyl until you return or park another boat on your lift in the meantime! |
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96SNEFI
Senior Member Joined: March-23-2009 Location: Canada Status: Offline Points: 138 |
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Wow. Note to self...don't tie up floating things heavier than a 500lb lift to said lift
. How is it that an aluminum frame dock with wood decking doesn't get pulled by a boat attached to it? Maybe the whips allow some cushion. |
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74Wind
Grand Poobah Joined: August-02-2011 Location: Georgia Status: Offline Points: 2101 |
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Years ago, like many folks, we had a beacher. While we were there we would typically run it up the tracks only partway when not in use; and only run it all the way up when we were gone. Arrived back at the lake once to find a massive willow tree had fallen right behind the boat, missing it by literally inches. Had we been there it would have fallen directly on the boat and completely demolished it....
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1974 Southwind 18
1975 Century Mark II |
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camron18
Senior Member Joined: March-05-2015 Location: Michigan Status: Offline Points: 164 |
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yeah thats the lesson we learned that day.
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8122pbrainard
Grand Poobah Joined: September-14-2006 Location: Three Lakes Wi. Status: Offline Points: 41040 |
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Sorry, but you have a problem with the proper use of a lift. |
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camron18
Senior Member Joined: March-05-2015 Location: Michigan Status: Offline Points: 164 |
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after we got the boat back to safty
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camron18
Senior Member Joined: March-05-2015 Location: Michigan Status: Offline Points: 164 |
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id be careful with just floating the boat in the lift in wind.
this summer we were playing on the lake when a storm rolled in. tied up the boat in the lift but did not pick it up at all. we have a super small lake so waves are never a concern when it comes to wind. we went inside for dinner and the weather got pretty rough, everyone said "oh wow! look at the boat" a big gust of wind picked up the shore station and turned it on its side around the boat. i jumped out of my jumped over my mom and ran to the window to see the boat lift sideways with 2 legs out of the water and half the canopy in the water. the lift was in pretty deep water so now it was floating on the boat still tied up, and floating across the lake. me and my dad ran outside in the thunder and light nigh jumped in the lake to cut the boat free from the lift. i cut one of the ropes and the shore station came crashing down on my head. we pulled the boat out from under the lift and tied it to the dock. lucky no damage to the boat. the prop looked great. rudder and all looked fine. but the canopy got ripped up from the water when we pulled it out. lesson learned. crazy evening. my mom said she now knows what it would look like if my first born son was droning in the lake. i ran pretty fast. |
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8122pbrainard
Grand Poobah Joined: September-14-2006 Location: Three Lakes Wi. Status: Offline Points: 41040 |
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Go with the wheel kit. I have a universal fit all kit on mine. The installer put them on and detaches the wheels taking them to his next customer. Some lifts even have detachable tongue kits so you can hook up any type of tow vehicle to putt it out of the lake.
BTW, When cranked up, it would take a tsunami to even move the typical inboard on the lift. |
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96SNEFI
Senior Member Joined: March-23-2009 Location: Canada Status: Offline Points: 138 |
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Wow. Just thanks everyone. Getting people's real world experiences and ways and methods of using a lift have been totally helpful. I'm convinced now to not even use the whips. Return back to the lift after an outing and just lift it a little. Wind gets up...lift it more. Leave for the weekend... lift it clear and away from any bigger waves. If on an outing the wind has gotten up well then the vertical guides would do what they can to keep the boat somewhat straight. And indeed once the boat is stabilized on the bunks then it's all under control. Come back later if need be to better the position. The guides would help in not having the skegs hitting anything underneath.
I can worry about and deal with the seasonal in/out later. Flotation at first or wheels or some contraption to get the thing out of the lake and clear of ice is required. Or dismantle. We'll see what I can find. Probably wheels. The boat is at yet another Green Lake just north-east of 70 Mile House in BC Canada. The lake is about 3500' up in elevation. It's about 9 miles long and about a mile wide. The area is what is called the interior plateau so there are no mountain ranges to speak of. Smallish hills and undulating landscape. That's why winds are unimpeded. The lake gets to about a maximum of 73° F at the peak in summer. |
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skutsch
Grand Poobah Joined: June-19-2008 Location: Racine, WI Status: Offline Points: 2874 |
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Honestly, it really doesn't take much to get the boat stable. How big do the waves get and how often do they get that big? Like Pete said, I think you will find parking on the lift, and then raising it maybe 3 to 6 inches will take you about 2 to 3 minutes, a lot quicker then messing with bumpers and ropes. Then if the waves start building, you spend another 2 to 3 minutes to raise it another 6 inches. Repeat as the surf builds until you have your boat high and dry.
What lake are you on? What Province? |
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74Wind
Grand Poobah Joined: August-02-2011 Location: Georgia Status: Offline Points: 2101 |
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Pete: Saw and naturally agree with your comment, I was just adding a reply to very latest post by dwound who said he parks in lift but doesn't raise it.
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1974 Southwind 18
1975 Century Mark II |
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8122pbrainard
Grand Poobah Joined: September-14-2006 Location: Three Lakes Wi. Status: Offline Points: 41040 |
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Jeff, You must have periods of ADD like I do!
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74Wind
Grand Poobah Joined: August-02-2011 Location: Georgia Status: Offline Points: 2101 |
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Rather than letting it float in the lift, think most folks run it up partway while not in use, it only takes a minute, and then no worries about a quick storm or surf boat banging it around.
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1974 Southwind 18
1975 Century Mark II |
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dwouncmd
Gold Member Joined: July-10-2009 Location: NC Status: Offline Points: 919 |
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I recently bought a used lake lift with a cover. I will park the boat in the lift without raising if we won't be using the boat for a couple of hours, but want to keep it covered/dry if we get a unexpected shower, and it does have the advantage of freeing space at the dock.. |
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89 SN
<a href="http://www.correctcraftfan.com/diaries/details.asp?ID=6567&sort=&pagenum=1" rel="nofollow">7 |
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8122pbrainard
Grand Poobah Joined: September-14-2006 Location: Three Lakes Wi. Status: Offline Points: 41040 |
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Someone, I feel once you get used to the lift, using it to park the boat for short periods of time is just as easy as mooring it at the dock. For short periods of time you don't need to raise it all the way and It frees up you dock space. You must be on some big water that gets pretty rough? |
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96SNEFI
Senior Member Joined: March-23-2009 Location: Canada Status: Offline Points: 138 |
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Thanks again for your input.
For me, the pattern of boat usage is currently: 1. arrive back at place 2. contemplate swimming or rowing out to get boat...probably not 'til the next morning if it's warm enough and calm enough (out of shape old fart fair weather skier) 3. use whips at dock 3. enjoy boat a little while there 4. if strong winds come up move boat from whips to anchor...just because 5. leave it there until next use or swim/row the boat out before leaving What I'd like to do is: 1. arrive back at place 2. lower the boat in the morning for that possible ski 3. continue to use the whips while enjoying the boat when we're there 'cause they're fast and easy and convenient 4. if strong winds come up then move boat from whips to lift...just because 5. leave it there until next use or move boat to lift before leaving Basically wanting to stop using the anchor. That and minimizing bathtub ring as a bonus. So the rough water would be when moving it in higher winds and maybe at the time before leaving. No I wouldn't intentionally have a "19' inboard competition ski boat" out in rough water. lol |
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quinner
Grand Poobah Joined: October-12-2005 Location: Unknown Status: Offline Points: 5828 |
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Anything is possible if the waves are big enough, but we are talking about some pretty big waves to make that happen and quite frankly if it's that rough why on earth would you be out there in a 19' inboard competition ski boat, lol.
Really don't see it being that big a deal, watch the video on the shorestion site showing the centering guide posts, will give you an idea of what I am talking about. As mentioned, no worse then pulling up to the dock to hook up lines/whips, if it's wavy you will need to hold the boats position for the 5-10 seconds it will take to raise the carriage bunks to the point the boat is stable. Shorestation Website Peter, did not know SS had those new leg levelers, very cool, wonder how they work? Are they worth spending extra $$$ on, definitely not on a lake where water level is relatively consistent like Deep Lake, once set I have never had to adjust my legs again going in/out to the same spot. |
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tryathlete
Platinum Member Joined: April-19-2013 Location: Lake Villa, IL Status: Offline Points: 1797 |
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Hey Quinner ....Shore Station now sells Lift Level'R legs that are backwards compatible with all of their lifts. This only substitutes for normal leg length as they don't yet have it for their deep water legs, but they do have it. I just looked again on their website before writing this note.
If I bought a new lift, I'd definitely get this feature because adjusting those damn pins under water is a complete Royal PIA. |
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2008 MasterCraft 197TT
1996 Nautique Super Sport 1988 Waterlogged Supra Mariah |
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tryathlete
Platinum Member Joined: April-19-2013 Location: Lake Villa, IL Status: Offline Points: 1797 |
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Shore station sells remote leveling legs now too. I'm not going to buy them because I'm close enough to where I want to be.
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2008 MasterCraft 197TT
1996 Nautique Super Sport 1988 Waterlogged Supra Mariah |
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tryathlete
Platinum Member Joined: April-19-2013 Location: Lake Villa, IL Status: Offline Points: 1797 |
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Quinner has definitely been there for me when I needed help and advice. He and Hollywood got my lift working when I first got it and since then I've been slowly tweaking it towards perfection. It's definitely difficult for me because we have a community dock and my boat slip is 10 feet wide perpendicular to the dock. Getting on is easy for me because I'm tall. My wife has to hop onto the bow a bit and pivot into the playpen area of our open bow SS. It's working well now, and next season I'm raising the lift to its highest point to allow for raising the cradle high enough to get Quinner's rowboat jig under it to do my own removal and placement.
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2008 MasterCraft 197TT
1996 Nautique Super Sport 1988 Waterlogged Supra Mariah |
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8122pbrainard
Grand Poobah Joined: September-14-2006 Location: Three Lakes Wi. Status: Offline Points: 41040 |
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Chris, What can I say besides I'm "old school"! I motorized it myself out of a DC gearmotor, build the DC control and modified the wheel/winch with quick disconnect pins to a sprocket set up connecting it to the gearbox. BTW, it's not on a GFCI!!! |
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96SNEFI
Senior Member Joined: March-23-2009 Location: Canada Status: Offline Points: 138 |
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Hmm...infinitely...I really like the whips. Quick and easy to release and re-hook. No re-tying knots. Just hook loops on (and un-hook) cleats and you're done. And no bumpers. As water gets rougher though they do get a workout. Or a surfer/wakeboarder goes by :(
Because I wouldn't want to leave the boat on the whips while I'm not there, I want the lift to not be swimming or rowing out and back to the anchor. That and to not have the boat in the water the entire season to avoid what I call the bathtub ring around the water line on the hull. I'm not interested in trailering the boat each time either. I'm glad to hear it's idiot-proof. I've been sure it was in calm water. It's just that chaotic time between floating and resting on the bunks in rougher water. |
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74Wind
Grand Poobah Joined: August-02-2011 Location: Georgia Status: Offline Points: 2101 |
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Yes you may be over thinking it, a properly set up lift is fairly idiot-proof under most any conditions, and infinitely better than mooring whips.
What body of water is it that has you so worried? |
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1974 Southwind 18
1975 Century Mark II |
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96SNEFI
Senior Member Joined: March-23-2009 Location: Canada Status: Offline Points: 138 |
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quinner:
Your input on the bunks being high enough...I was wondering about even the possibility of the skegs hitting the bunks too while bobbing and weaving in waves...not just hitting cross-members. Sure it would be nice to be rich and have a high-speed hydraulic lift and all. That seems to be the prime lift. Short of having a boat house on pilings or built up from the bottom and then using the lifting rings. If one could leave a boat house out in a lake that freezes over and yet again be rich to build such a thing then sure. I ain't rich. So I'm looking at getting in for less money. Maybe stretch for the wheel motor. It seems I would have to get vertical guides. Still and all with any standalone lift fancy or not...I'm not yet comfortable with what I've heard with the boat bobbing and weaving in rough water. Maybe the fact that people are NOT saying it's a problem...maybe I'm making too much of a deal about my concerns about hitting things or not being reasonably balanced on a lift. quinner is touching on something about getting the boat stabilized. That's good. That helps narrow down the focus. That's where my focus is. That time of chaos between floating, bobbing and weaving in the waves and being stabilized on the bunks. Then the boat gets nicely lifted out of the water with no worries. It's the in-between time that I'm wondering about. |
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quinner
Grand Poobah Joined: October-12-2005 Location: Unknown Status: Offline Points: 5828 |
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Not exactly there Petey, most installers/mfr seem to really frown on the 120v motors out on the water now a days, too many knuckleheads not ensuring they are on protected circuits.
Power source failure can be an issue even at 12 or 24v and also things like motor failure, it's so much faster to spin down manually, same goes for going up until fully loaded and end of season getting the lift in/out without a easy way (wheel) to raise/lower the carriage is a huge pita. The Floe screw drive and most motor's that replace wheels will have a spindle and drill attachment so you can still raise/lower the lift without power, takes forever and if you use a drill be careful or you will cook it, don't ask me how I know that, ughhh. |
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Barracuda
Moderator Group Joined: November-17-2003 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 998 |
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This past spring I motorized my lift (after 12 years of cranking the big wheel) with a lift tech AC motor (link below). In case of power failure you use the included bit in your cordless drill to raise/ lower the lift. I tested it and it works but you need to have a strong, fully charged battery. Link to Liftech boat lift motors -Brad |
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8122pbrainard
Grand Poobah Joined: September-14-2006 Location: Three Lakes Wi. Status: Offline Points: 41040 |
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This is a key point. If for any reason the powered lift fails, you will still be able to get the boat on and off. I did have a issue with a power outage once due to a lightning storm. I was glad I could get the boat up and out of the water before the storm got worse. |
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