Lift Guides

[Billfo]

I need to have some "side" guides installed on my lift to help center my boat on the skids. Is this something I can buy locally ? Is this installation something that I should leave to a professional ? Ideas welcome.

Billfo

[Martin]

I need to have some "side" guides installed on my lift to help center my boat on the skids. Is this something I can buy locally ? Is this installation something that I should leave to a professional ? Ideas welcome.

Billfo

Billfo, if your lift bunks are adjusted correctly, and your lift is set to the right depth, you shouldn't need any side guides. The lift bunks should bring you to center quite nicely. The first thing I had to do was set my lift depth (when it's down)... My bunks were adjusted by me. just take bunk measurements off of your boat trailer and re-create those settings. my lift was a little too deep when down, so I shortened the chain that holds it from going to the bottom. I just used the existing chain link that has a threaded side and a removable link. I shortened it one link and was ready to go. All I have to do is "get close" to the center of the lift when docking. The lift bunks do the rest.

Maybe your deal is set up different then mine ??

[edwin]

To add to Martin's comments (concur 100% BTW). I have two boats that I use on my lift, and they couldn't be any more different. I've adjusted my bunks to be a good compromise between both setups. The Bass Cat gets pulled in the stall, a single rope tied to the front cross bar of the dock is hooked on the bow eye, start the lift, and push the boat back somewhat in the center. The angle of the hull does the rest of the work to center the boat on the lift.

For my inboard ski boat (flat bottom in the back half of the boat, I use two ropes tied off at apprx 45 degree angles to the back of the boat. Pull into the stall, hook the ropes on the cleats, begin raising the lift, slide the boat back against the ropes (centering it). Been doing this since my dad first got his first Boat Floater in 1977.

Not to be a commercial, but he's had three diff't Boat Floaters over the years as his boats got bigger. I bought mine 13 yrs ago. All of them have been fantisic...great product for sure.

[skeeter]

From "Billfo's" previous postings and pictures I think he has one of Tom Blake's "Econo-Lifts" ?? I've never noticed an Econo-Lift, so far, that has a chain on it that limits the depth of the lift. Maybe one can be added ? Tom installed "guides" for my neighbor's tri-toon, maybe he can help you since your time here is limited ?

417-464-2111 cell.

[NuB2TR]

Billfo,

Without knowing exactly what type of lift you have, the following assumes you have a newer one that's attached to the dock at 4 places, two on each side, and then swings up and down for a parallel lift. If you have something else, then maybe you can take some of this and make it work. This is only my opinion (not in the business) and what worked for me. I'm responding because I have a Lund like yours. (I'm from Lincoln, so we're neighbors.)

I bought a new lift two years ago and its design doesn't allow depth adjustment, at least as installed. I could add chains, but prefer not to have my boat sliding on the bunk boards as I come in and launch. My bunks are the poly type without carpet. They claim they won't scratch, or at least less than carpet with sand in them, but....

I, too, use ropes. They are made to equal lengths with locking J-hooks on the boat end. Upon entry, I attach them to the ski-pull eyes on the transom, start the lift and push the boat back from the bow, centering the stern. I put a dot on the dock at the center of my slip for reference to visually center the bow. This process centers the boat in the slip. You'll want to make sure your bunks are centered to the slip, and spaced properly for your boat. Repeating the above... setting like trailer is good advice. (Don't forget about the transducer when making adjustments.)

My lift has riser guide posts covered with PVC pipe. My ropes have loops that I slide over the posts, allowing the ropes to move up and down as the lift moves, while keeping the boat centered in the slip.

If you have to tie to the dock, I would think adjusting the length of the stern lines will be by trial-and-error: depending on where they are tied to the dock; where you attach them to the boat; and where the boat needs to sit on the bunks.

If you tie the ropes to the dock, remember that your boat will rise, or at least should, so plan accordingly. If ropes are tied too low and too short, you could either damage something or prevent the lift from rising. I would think you'd want to tie off at a point higher then the boat tie-off point and be long enough to allow the lines to go slack as the boat rises. Another important thing to consider is the direction in which the lift moves (swings) as it rises. Tying to the dock on the opposite side of the swing could cause the boat to be pulled on the bunks until it rises past center of the swing.... again, all depends on where you tie.

I am no expert at this, so if I've offered any advice here that is off base, I hope someone here will jump all over it, and me.

[Billfo]

Martin, I am certain that my bunks are way too low underwater. That is where I should start- height adjustment. Then as you suggest- match the set up on my trailer. As you know nothing more sucks more that trying to center the boat on a lift by hand in the wind. Not to mention dangerous.. Thanks for the good ideas.. Perhaps you'd like to sit in a lawn chair & watch me cuss & drop tools in the water !! LOL

Billfo, if your lift bunks are adjusted correctly, and your lift is set to the right depth, you shouldn't need any side guides. The lift bunks should bring you to center quite nicely. The first thing I had to do was set my lift depth (when it's down)... My bunks were adjusted by me. just take bunk measurements off of your boat trailer and re-create those settings. my lift was a little too deep when down, so I shortened the chain that holds it from going to the bottom. I just used the existing chain link that has a threaded side and a removable link. I shortened it one link and was ready to go. All I have to do is "get close" to the center of the lift when docking. The lift bunks do the rest.

Maybe your deal is set up different then mine ??

[Billfo]

I see Tom Blakes place is pretty close to us here in Trace Hollow. When I get there I will verify WHAT kind I have. There are labels on it so I think it is fairly new. It would be much easier if it DID have a height adjustment as Martin suggested.. But thank you for the reply.. Most helpful !!

From "Billfo's" previous postings and pictures I think he has one of Tom Blake's "Econo-Lifts" ?? I've never noticed an Econo-Lift, so far, that has a chain on it that limits the depth of the lift. Maybe one can be added ? Tom installed "guides" for my neighbor's tri-toon, maybe he can help you since your time here is limited ?

417-464-2111 cell.

[JimmyBaja]

I see Tom Blakes place is pretty close to us here in Trace Hollow. When I get there I will verify WHAT kind I have. There are labels on it so I think it is fairly new. It would be much easier if it DID have a height adjustment as Martin suggested.. But thank you for the reply.. Most helpful !!

A chain can be added to an econo-lift to limit the depth it falls. It's an easy install.

[Billfo]

Jimmy, do you have the same lift ? Not being there I can not visualize where to wrap a chain- but it sounds good to me..I was also thinking of adding a set of "trailer guide-on bunks" maybe from Bass Pro Shop.. but with the lift raised a little so my hull just slightly touches- it maybe just fine.

Thanks.Bill

A chain can be added to an econo-lift to limit the depth it falls. It's an easy install.

[JimmyBaja]

Bill,

If you give me a week or so, I will post a picture of how the chain limit works.