The Hurricane & Your Boat Lift

[boatlift]

To The Hull Truther's On The East Coast,

OK now it's time to prepare your boat lift for the approaching hurricane. Here is a list of tasks I'd perform to ensure I sustain as little damage as possible on the lift:

1. Remove the boat. You don't want your boat on the lift during hurricane or tropical storm force winds.
2. Either raise the sling or cradle high in the air & tie off each corner or lower the cradle below the water & tie off each corner. The only problem with lower the cradle below the water line is a loss of power. Unless you've purchased an adapter over-ride to operate the lift with -0- power your cradle might remain in the water for a while. Here is a link to the over-ride: http://www.boatliftdistributors.com/...duct_info.html
3. Remove the boat lift motor covers.
4. If you have a belt driven system remove the motors & electrical switch.
5. Grease the inserts on the gear plate before leaving the property.
6. Remove guide posts.

I have my fingers crossed that the system remains out to sea but you still need to prepare. All of you are in my prayers that this is minimal impact to you & your family. If you have questions don't hesitate to call or email. May God bless & protect you.


Be Safe,
Michael Fulweber
Boat Lift Distributors, Inc.
800-657-9998
713-461-9633 (f)
www.liftboat.com

[hammerheadsi]

Realizing it is not advisable, but what, in your opinion, is the best way to secure the boat/lift if you have not alternative but to leave the boat on the lift?

[boatlift]

If I had no choice but to leave my boat on the lift I would do the following:

1. Raise the boat as high as I can on the lift.
2. Tie the boat off to the structure that's holing the lift, i.e., roof, pilings, etc. I would not tie the boat off to the lift.
3. If you're using a cradle I'd tie each corner of the cradle beam off to the structure as well. If a cable were to snap at least you'll have back up.
4. If at all possible attach HD eye bolts to the pilings or whatever structure you're using & affix a chain to the cradle. Once again this will ensure a little safety if debris were to come by & snap a cable.

My biggest concern is not wind but debris & waves. If your boat is on the lift & waves are pounding the bottom of it causing it to raise & then slam back down you're going to not only do damage to the boat but the cable will snap under the load. Setting up safety chains will at a minimum stabilize the cradle if a cable does snap. God speed.

Thank You,
Michael Fulweber
Boat Lift Distributors, Inc.
800-657-9998
713-461-9633 (f)
www.liftboat.com

[ISLANDER11]

In my case (and probably most), insurance does not cover the dock or lift, but the boat is insured. Why risk damaging something that is uninsured to save something that is insured?

[SwingStoppers]

Originally Posted by hammerheadsi

Realizing it is not advisable, but what, in your opinion, is the best way to secure the boat/lift if you have not alternative but to leave the boat on the lift?

Hammerheadsi,

During Wilma we found that many boats that were left on lifts blew off or walked themselves off the lift. I recommend using 2" ratchet straps instead of line. Standard twisted 3-strand rope has considerable stretch so half way through the storm your boat will not be tied as tight as it was before the storm. I know of a friend who tied his boat down and watched the bow lift up off the bunks and slam down... after a few times the bunks split.

Check out http://www.swingstoppers.com, providing products to help boaters prepare for hurricanes who can not remove their boat from their lift.

Good luck
--paul--

[oceanluvr30]

Had no choice but to leave my last boat on the lift during Francis. Tied it down real good, raised up as high as it would go and secured each corner to the pilings. With all that done the boat still was blown off into the mangroves where some enterprising assh@le then stole it, only to call me several days later offering to give it back to me if i would pay him for his efforts. .....next time my boat is going on the trailer, and to a secure location no matter what...

[Dsaltydog]

Originally Posted by SwingStoppers

Hammerheadsi,

During Wilma we found that many boats that were left on lifts blew off or walked themselves off the lift. I recommend using 2" ratchet straps instead of line. Standard twisted 3-strand rope has considerable stretch so half way through the storm your boat will not be tied as tight as it was before the storm. I know of a friend who tied his boat down and watched the bow lift up off the bunks and slam down... after a few times the bunks split.

Check out http://www.swingstoppers.com, providing products to help boaters prepare for hurricanes who can not remove their boat from their lift.

Good luck
--paul--

Paul's product is fantastic, his customer support is beyond. I highly recommend hs application. Simple, safe and strong.

[Capt Odyssea]

Intrepid 30 spent Frances and Jean on the trailer lagged into the concrete driveway, no problem but spent Wilma on the lift, zig zag tied down to the pilings (huge cleats) and two lines tied over to seawall to stop wiggle.
Lines tightened by hand, boat lifted higher to tighten.
Also, two 2x12s cross bolted under the bunks for and aft piling to piling.
hindsight says better to lose it on land than over the water, but it worked out fine.
My Back cove 37 however, will have to stay on the lift, no trailer.
Got the straps rated for 3400 lbs, eye bolts rated for 3300 lbs 15" through plings.
I'm thinking of slings to back up the cables, in a travel hoist arrangement.
Serious over capacity, boat is 22,000 lbs, lift 30,000 lbs, so straps 25,000 lbs plus.
Bolting the cradle is an option, but it'll be heavy hardware to put in place.
Surge for me is not the issue, wind and debris is.
Still looking at options though.