Boat lift help.

[Wakeman22]

I have a 2007 24VE and am looking for a lift. What size are you guys using that have lifts? Meaning are you at 10ft. or 12ft. wide? What boat model do you have and what weight capacity is your lift? If some of you are not using a lift but know others who do some recommendations would be very helpful. Also what height above the crossbars are your bunks set at to clear the fins on the bottom of the boat? Any brands better over others?

[Dan C]

Boat lift help.

I had a '12 Z1 on a boat lift last summer. Was custom made cause of the space i had with my dad's lift between dock. It a 4500lbs.
Distance between dock is 20'
My dad's boat lift is 10' width. That not include the 4" for the stand plate on both side and "clearance" for lifting, an other 2" each side
So mine is 112" width.

Bunk are set about 16" height
Could be able to take measurement by the week end! And better pics

We've juste change for a '13 z1.
Boat lift will be ok. Only thing is that I need to change the winch for a 5500lbs

(Sorry for my english ! Hope you understand!!)

Here a pics of it

[Joeprunc]

You looking for a cable lift or a pneumatic lift?

I'd recommend going at least 1-2k lbs over your boats wet weight.

[Wakeman22]

I am looking for an air/tank lift. I already have a lift in place however I do not believe it will hold my boat. The slip is right at 10ft. wide. I may be able to add a center tank and turn the side rails downward and my boat may fit then. I have not taken my Tige to the lake where I am moving to so I have not been able to do an actual size fit yet. It will be close. Right now my bass boat is on this lift and I believe it is only a 4k or 4500lbs lift. I will also have to make new bunks and brackets if I use this lift. That is why I am asking about other's lifts and size so I can find a good used one that will work. Can't afford new.

[boardman74]

4500 is no way enough. A fully loaded RZR weighs 4100 lbs. I have a 5000 just to be safe. There is no way i would put a 24 on anything less than a 6K lift. You bass boat lift at 4000 or 4500 isn't anywhere near enough. Also they need wide lifts. you real need the 120(10 ft). They are very tight on the 108's. Most lift companies stop at 120" in the vertical lift cable type.

[Wakeman22]

I already figure on a 6000lb. one. I am not looking for cable. If someone here has a 24ve on a lift I would sure like to know the width needed. I have 10ft. of width to work with in the slip. If I need wider I will need to get another dock and they don't come cheap. This dock has 3 slips so I hate to get rid of it.

[dingleberry]

wakeman - We have a 6600-lb Hydrohoist lift which we bought used. The marina operator is a Hydrohoist dealer, so they sold us the lift, installed it, and set it up. So I am not sure on the measurements, but I am pretty sure that the slip is 10-ft wide.

[LKG PH Creek]

I have my Z3 (102" beam) on 10' wide cradles. I have the boat sitting on 2x12x12 vertical boards (meaning the boats sits on the 2" part of the boards). The boards are mounted 36" apart on the cradles. I started at 32" and found those made it difficult to get the boat centered on the boards. I have a Doozie lift like these http://www.itsadoozie.com/content/de...-house-lifts-1
I used 10' cradles because my slip is 11' wide. Prior to purchasing the 10' cradles I had a set of 9' cradles. Those also were fine for the boat, but due to the narrower width, the narrower cradles caused the lift to strain excessively while lifting the boat.
To answer your question.....10' wide slip is wide enough for a 102" beam boat.

[Wakeman22]

Thanks for the pics ding. That does help and I believe I have enough width. I presume the triangle brackets are turned down? Mine are in the up position make the lift narrower. Ding I know your boat weighs a little more than mine. Does you lift come up quickly and do you think if it was a 6000lb. one would work?

[Joeprunc]

We have a hydro hoist side tie, 6000# for a 3000# boat, I love having the additional flotation, especially when loading the boat to go out, wiping the boat down afterwards, and during the winter when they tend to loose pressure due to the colder weather.

Hydro hoist is the most popular lift company around here. 10' wide should be fine if you have a front mount or a U dock. It will be very tight if you have to get a side mount hoist like mine.
There are a few econo lifts and poly lifts out here too here which seem to do just fine as well.

6000# should be fine, but I wouldn't go any smaller.

Retro fitting your hoist will most likely be cheaper than a new one. I see used hoists on Craigslist for sale 1K-2K, and a new one is over 8K. If Hydrohoist is around you they will do the work needed to make your hoist work.

[evil0ne]

I had an old school 4K pound galvanized lift I bought second hand for $500. Was going to add a third tank but it did the job keeping it out of the water except a few inches of the FAE. I would recommend going for the 6K pound versions and 10' is just fine.

[Wakeman22]

Thanks for the advise so far.

What do some of you feel about cable lifts?

[boardman74]

I have a cable lift and its great. Here in minnesota with shallow shorelines thats all people use and with no issues. You want a vertical lift versus a cantilever.

[IDBoating]

As I've said before: AirDock. Simpler, easier to set up and use, less expensive, self adjusting, no "land contact" permits required, the list goes on and on. We've used one on our 24Ve since Day One. I'd never even consider anything else. We used one on our previous boat, use one on our 24Ve, and have two smaller ones for our jetskis. 8+ years and I'm still delighted.

In your particular application an AirDock is likely narrower than all that mechanical framework too, which would solve the specific problem you're worried about. Call AirDock and ask them.

Here's a rear shot of an inboard (not mine, sorry) on an AirDock. Note that the air bags don't extend past the gunwale's width much at all. And no big, awkward, heavy galvanized hardware frame to add even more width.



Here's their home page:

http://www.airdock.com/

Hope this helps!

[Wakeman22]

That is a very interesting set up WA.B. I will have to check into them more. Not sure if I am sold on the idea. However you have a lot of experience with them and I have always felt you contribute a lot of personal knowledge and expertise to this forum.