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May 07, 2025, 21:15:07 pm

Author Topic: I need help setting up my new boat lift  (Read 1485 times)

tryme

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I need help setting up my new boat lift
« on: May 21, 2012, 18:03:58 pm »
i purchased a used lift last fall.  it was setup for a v-hull so i am reconfiguring for the epic 21 i have.  i see some people use use 1 pair of running bunks and others use 2.  first how much clearance do you need to clear the skags with a loaded boat?  if anyone could post a couple quick pictures of their setup i would really appreciate it as i dont want to set it up.  get it in the water and have to monkey with it a ton to get the boat on.  plus i want to be careful with the water inlet.  thanks a ton.  couldn't ski this weekend with a bad battery and it was 81 and the water was 75.  going to make up for it this weekend.  thanks again

tryme

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Re: I need help setting up my new boat lift
« Reply #1 on: May 21, 2012, 20:03:50 pm »
here are some attached pictures of what i have. 

i plan on removing the exiting bunks and replacing them of course with bunks running the length of the hull.  just need to know the height and how far to space them out. 

skibeau

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Re: I need help setting up my new boat lift
« Reply #2 on: May 22, 2012, 02:47:35 am »
I'd suggest using a trailer set up for your boat (easy if you have one), and using it as your guide.  Otherwise...

I'm no expert on this, but learned a lot (still not nearly enough) when this trailer was built for my E22 about 4 summers ago.  I've heard that suspending a boat (by the lifting rings) long term is not a good idea.  That's why the bottom support like the one you have is best in a wet boathouse.  The guys who fitted the new trailer suspended the boat just to clear the fenders, pushed the bunks flat against the hull and welded the bunk supports in place.  If you have a trailer, the horizontal distances should be spaced equidistant from the centerline.  Exact distances apparently aren't imperative on my rig because the boat can shift a couple of inches either way due to the flatness of the aft hull.  I'd like it to be a little tighter (so the water inlet won't contact the bunk), but tighter may be impractical if the widest beam is in the center and not fully aft (which is probably the case).  However, my trailer guides are at the very rear.  It'd look weird to have a couple of guide bunks over the fenders.  I'd try to measure mine, but I don't feel comfortable with my dimensions not working for you, which might cause the hull to twist, bow, warp or some other bad option.  Here are two pictures to give you an idea what I'm trying to say:

masonlk

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Re: I need help setting up my new boat lift
« Reply #3 on: May 23, 2012, 23:24:30 pm »
Since the boat isn't on the lift yet I lifted it up to clean it and took some measurements for you. Hope they help.

There are two runners the boat sits on made of a hard poly material of some sort.
They are 122 inches long, 5.5 in. wide and 1.5 in. thick.
Measuring from the front of the boards they have a support at 4in, 27in, 50in, 74in, 97in, 108in, and 120in.
From the measurements you can see that the back four supports are closer together to support the engine weight.

They are spaced 32in apart on the inside and 43in on the outside. The 32in is plenty of room for the prop/shaft and water intake.

I just drive the boat on and off and after a couple of times picked a spot on the dock to line it up with. If you don't lower it so the boat floats completely free you can do this easily by yourself without the waves from passing boats or the wind affecting you.


masonlk

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Re: I need help setting up my new boat lift
« Reply #4 on: May 23, 2012, 23:39:25 pm »
Here's a pic. I hope. Had to resize.

tryme

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Re: I need help setting up my new boat lift
« Reply #5 on: May 24, 2012, 20:00:10 pm »
that is perfect.  what do you guys use for a stop?  dont want the wife driving off the other side?  is it best to just have a slight slant?

masonlk

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Re: I need help setting up my new boat lift
« Reply #6 on: May 24, 2012, 23:23:42 pm »
No stop just drive off and on like you would your trailer. Don't completely float the boat. You want to have to give it a bit of gas to get off the runners. The first time you drive it on, get it where you want it, then mentally mark a spot on the boat that lines up with a post or corner of the dock. I line up the right rear post for the lift with the word sports on the decal. Works great. If the wife or kids are off a foot no big deal.
As for the wife vs lift/dock/or whatever...it's insured, it can be repaired, and she would owe me big time ;D so it's all good.