Boat Lift Setup

[xsvspeed]

Last year my brother bought a new boat. A 21' bowrider with a V8 Mercruiser (unfortunately it is not a Checkmate http://www.checkmate-boats.com/6/ws/,s,8626072361/Graemlins/sick.gif). He had watched me pull my boat in and out of the water weekend after weekend and decided to buy a boat lift rather than a trailer. Thank god he has a full cover for the boat. The lift is located in the open with no shade at all.

I am concerned with the setup of the bunks. They are in a "V" shape. When the boat is on the lift, the bunks cross over two strakes on each side and come to a point at the bow. I have suggested bringing the stern end of the bunks inward so that the bunks sit between the strakes on each side. He is concerned that it might be unstable (tippy).

Our cottage is on Lake Ontario and we typicaly have to contend with an onshore cross wind. Beleive me, driving a greater than 8' wide boat onto a 9' wide lift with a strong cross wind is not an easy task. I should mention there is only one dock and it does not extend to end of the lift. Unfortunately for my bro one day, his wife had not lowered the lift platform into the water enough and he scraped the first 16" to 20" of the hull on the metal. Can you say CRUNCH!! http://www.checkmate-boats.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_eek.gif That costed him $400!! http://www.checkmate-boats.com/6/ws/,s,8626072361/Graemlins/jpshakehead.gif

Anyone know what the optimum setup is for a boat lift? http://www.checkmate-boats.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_confused.gif Is it best to install the lift as level as possible or should it slope towards the water? If it should slope towards the water, how much? How should the bunks be set in order to avoid damage to the hull (ie above paragraph)?

Any comments or feedback would be appreciated. If my bro and I can setup the lift properly this summer, he may avoid future repairs! http://www.checkmate-boats.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_smile.gif

Thanks for the help!

I feel the need for speed!

[xsvspeed]

Last year my brother bought a new boat. A 21' bowrider with a V8 Mercruiser (unfortunately it is not a Checkmate http://www.checkmate-boats.com/6/ws/,s,8626072361/Graemlins/sick.gif). He had watched me pull my boat in and out of the water weekend after weekend and decided to buy a boat lift rather than a trailer. Thank god he has a full cover for the boat. The lift is located in the open with no shade at all.

I am concerned with the setup of the bunks. They are in a "V" shape. When the boat is on the lift, the bunks cross over two strakes on each side and come to a point at the bow. I have suggested bringing the stern end of the bunks inward so that the bunks sit between the strakes on each side. He is concerned that it might be unstable (tippy).

Our cottage is on Lake Ontario and we typicaly have to contend with an onshore cross wind. Beleive me, driving a greater than 8' wide boat onto a 9' wide lift with a strong cross wind is not an easy task. I should mention there is only one dock and it does not extend to end of the lift. Unfortunately for my bro one day, his wife had not lowered the lift platform into the water enough and he scraped the first 16" to 20" of the hull on the metal. Can you say CRUNCH!! http://www.checkmate-boats.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_eek.gif That costed him $400!! http://www.checkmate-boats.com/6/ws/,s,8626072361/Graemlins/jpshakehead.gif

Anyone know what the optimum setup is for a boat lift? http://www.checkmate-boats.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_confused.gif Is it best to install the lift as level as possible or should it slope towards the water? If it should slope towards the water, how much? How should the bunks be set in order to avoid damage to the hull (ie above paragraph)?

Any comments or feedback would be appreciated. If my bro and I can setup the lift properly this summer, he may avoid future repairs! http://www.checkmate-boats.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_smile.gif

Thanks for the help!

I feel the need for speed!

[Bill]

Th lift must be as level as possible. It is very imperative that the bunks not cross the lifting strakes. If left this way, you will alter the shape of the bottom of the boat. The buks should be as much towards the chines as possible for stability. Get a good look at a bunk trailer, and that is how the lift shoud be set up.

[Bill]

If it was me, I would be pretty pissed off at the people who sold the lift, at the very least, they should have told your brother how to set it up, if not adjusted it for him.

[Z06]

http://forums.screamandfly.com/forums/attachment.php?s=&postid=200141

http://www.checkmate-boats.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_cool.gifZ06http://www.checkmate-boats.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_cool.gif

http://www.checkmate-boats.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_cool.gifCheckmates may not be the fastest boats on the water, but they are the nicest looking!http://www.checkmate-boats.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_cool.gif

[Z06]

I know its not the best shot and its a 21' outboard, but this was his lift. It fit perfectly and never had any damage to the hull. He sold it with the boat. We need pictures in order to fully get it but you just can't do that so we'll try to help you as much as we can...

http://www.checkmate-boats.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_cool.gifZ06http://www.checkmate-boats.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_cool.gif

http://www.checkmate-boats.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_cool.gifCheckmates may not be the fastest boats on the water, but they are the nicest looking!http://www.checkmate-boats.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_cool.gif

[Z06]

http://forums.screamandfly.com/forums/attachment.php?s=&postid=201313

http://www.checkmate-boats.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_cool.gifZ06http://www.checkmate-boats.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_cool.gif

http://www.checkmate-boats.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_cool.gifCheckmates may not be the fastest boats on the water, but they are the nicest looking!http://www.checkmate-boats.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_cool.gif

[Checkmark]

XSVS;
First you need your draft measurement. How much hull is in the water at the transom from pad or very bottom of hull to water line? Then using a straight edge at the bottom of the hull, measure up from the outer edges of the straight edge to the strake where the bunk will be positioned. Then measure the distance between
the strakes on each side. Add a few inches to the draft and vertical strake measurements for clearance, and you should be able to set the bunks on the hoist at the entry side. Once you have the boat in the water, you can adjust the bunks from the bow side to fit between the strakes. I read this back and it's more confusing than it actually is. Hope it helps somewhat. The main thing is to measure up from the bottom crossmember and add to your draft so you won't make contact with the hull on anypart of the hoist other than the bunks.

[Checkmark]

Also, if it's a cantelever hoist, you can set the foot pads so it's tilted a little bit towards the water. This can help you if you run out of adjustment area with your bunks. If it's a vertical hoist, it has to be mounted level or it will bind. I took 4" PVC pipe and slide them over the two posts at the entry side so that if the boat hits the side, the rub rails slide off without damage. Just a tip.

[xsvspeed]

Thanks everyone! It is all good advice. I will print your comments and bring them to the cottage this spring so that my brother and I can spend some time setting it up right. I hope it does not take too long!

What do you guys figure...3 or 4 beer kind of job? LOL! Thanks again all.

I feel the need for speed!

[Z06]

Sorry I can't be of any verbal help, but I don't have one and have not for years. I just gave you the pictures I had of Chris' boats on the hoists. It shows how the pads work on it...

http://www.checkmate-boats.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_cool.gifZ06http://www.checkmate-boats.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_cool.gif

http://www.checkmate-boats.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_cool.gifCheckmates may not be the fastest boats on the water, but they are the nicest looking!http://www.checkmate-boats.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_cool.gif