Finally getting boat lift in order.

[brody66]

Ok so i have been debating whether or not i was going to convert my lift to fit my tige, or just get rid of it and just trailer it to the water and keep the boat indoors at my shop. I decided that i should get the lift together because i cant hardly have a drink and then take the boat out at the launch. I was going to have a buddies machine shop fab up some brackets and install them but then i was thinking yesterday i have everything at my shop to do it so this is what i used. I used 3"x1.5" rectangle aluminum tubing for the uprights, i cut them at 24" length and then used another shorter piece to bolt on the other side of the horizontal tube, i have most of it together and am praying that the tube is going to be heavy enough to support the boat, i will only have it on the lift during the weekends and just trailer it friday to the lake and sunday off the lake. I will post some pictures tomorrow of the finished product. Do you guys think it is going to be enough, by the way i dont know gauge of the tubing.

[Jason B]

I think if you have to question it then you may need some stronger material. You're putting a $50k boat on a couple hundred bucks of aluminum....don't take chances. I would just do it right or I could not sleep at night.

I guess if you have to wonder then you know something is wrong.

[CP3]

post some pics of what you are using. Im having a hard time picturing it...

[lightning59]

bite the bullet and purchase an engineered lift!

[skyski_tige]

For each side, we put 2 - 2" x 12" side by side and then put a 2" x 6" on top with carpet for the boat to rest on. You then put some big thru-bolts to some sort of heavy duty metal bracket on each side. I will take some pictures today and post tonight.

You should measure your bunks in the front and rear on the trailer to determine how far the lift bunks should be apart.

[brody66]

I got it all together last night and then realized they could move side to side, i put a diagonal piece to strengthen it up, i think it is going to work, we will see tonight.

[brody66]

After screwing around for about 10 hours this weekend i finally got it to work, i had to cut and re-drill three times and reassemble three times, maybe if it ever quits raining i could get some pictures.

[dogbert]

Ok so i have been debating whether or not i was going to convert my lift to fit my tige, or just get rid of it and just trailer it to the water and keep the boat indoors at my shop. I decided that i should get the lift together because i cant hardly have a drink and then take the boat out at the launch. I was going to have a buddies machine shop fab up some brackets and install them but then i was thinking yesterday i have everything at my shop to do it so this is what i used. I used 3"x1.5" rectangle aluminum tubing for the uprights, i cut them at 24" length and then used another shorter piece to bolt on the other side of the horizontal tube, i have most of it together and am praying that the tube is going to be heavy enough to support the boat, i will only have it on the lift during the weekends and just trailer it friday to the lake and sunday off the lake. I will post some pictures tomorrow of the finished product. Do you guys think it is going to be enough, by the way i dont know gauge of the tubing.

What kind of lift do you have?

[FacePlant]

Umm, pics?? My buddy and I adjusted the bunks on his lifts this w/e after realizing that they were way too close together and were cracking his paddle wheels. I would definitely make sure your lift is engineered carefully for the weight your are lifting.......

[brody66]

I have a hewitt cantilever lift, the lift is engineered to lift a boat, thats what it was made for, just the brackets were not high enough, the lift is rated at 3600 pounds and i know i am right at the threshold, but they can always lift much more than thay are rated at.

[dogbert]

Ok, I've got a Shoremaster lift that's rated at 4000 lbs. Keep in mind that the weight they list is empty weight without the options. After you add gas and all your stuff, you could easily be looking at another 500 or 600 lbs.

[brody66]

I totally understand that and that is why i said that they can always hold more than they are rated at.

[brody66]

My baja was at like 3400, and keep in mind that had a 75 gallon tank that was more than not full of fuel.