Need advice, lift guys..Which boat lift for tight fit space???? - The Hull Truth

scottsmith · 02-22-2006, 04:08 PM

Hi all,
We just got back from the Miami show..shopping for a 16k+ lift for the new boat that's ONLY a year away. Our application does not allow for a standard 4 post lift because of narrow canal and the angles we have to work with. There are lifts on either side of my space, one is on a 30 degree angle. I have 50ft of dock length and about 20 feet from dock edge in to the canal to work with to get a 38+ft x 11'6 beam boat in to and on a lift. Total workable space to get the boat alongside is about 70ft. The boat needs to float over the top of the outter portion of the lift.

Because of the need to go alongside on only a very slight angle from the dock, we are looking at the Sunstream lift and also the side mount elevator lift from IMM. see attached below.
Which set up in your opinion is better, more durable? I have heard side elevators need extra maintenance because of barnacle build up etc... and the sunstream sunlift has everything in the water so I am concerned about longevity on that one.
Any opinions for this application which is the better product? The hydrohoist set ups are out...same problem as the 4 post set up.... What else is out there?
http://www.immboatlifts.com/products...wse&page=lifts

paxfish · 02-22-2006, 04:24 PM

Not sure how big you can go on a jet dock - that's a big rig - I keep my Parker on one. You just drive up on it - no parts to corrode out or anything. Check them out at jetdock.com

flyau98 · 02-22-2006, 11:24 PM

Sidemount type lifts have been around for years...and were basically the only option other than davits for a long time.

One of the speed boat ride operators in Key West has his boat on a jet dock...and I imagine its about a 30 footer or so. Its at the West end of Duval, just North of Mallory if you end up down here to look at it. I think the problem you might have with that is access though...I'd figure you'd have to have the boat perpendicular to the seawall to get on it, and that probably wouldn't work.

Where is the house you want to put this lift?

Glen E · 02-22-2006, 11:40 PM

have a complete check of your sidewall before proceeding with a side mountlift - they stress the wall and one was mounted in our weighborhood on a bad wall and down came the lift and the wall to the tune of 40K to fix....

DAVIT MASTER · 02-23-2006, 09:45 AM

Scottsmith,Sidemount Lifts (Marine Elevators) can be mounted to the seawall or to pilings set off the seawall using a tie-back to releave stress on the seawall itself. Ours are available in aluminum or galvanized steel construction in capacities of 4k, 8k, 12k, 14k & 16K. All of our Marine Elevators use the American Marine Supply direct E-Drive (enclosed worm gear) that is maintenance free for 10 years. Our is bit smaller than the IMM lift at the top portion where the gearbox and cable winders are placed. E-mail me your address and I'll send you our new 2006 catalog that just came out last Friday. Sorry, the newer pictures of our elevators are not on the web site yet for viewing. I'll have them up soon though.

mzol@tampabay.rr.com

www.davitmaster.com

scottsmith · 02-23-2006, 11:28 AM

More info...and thanks for the replies so far guys!
The house is in Fort Myers on the Calossahatchee River...on a canal. About 2 feet of tidal fluctuation, a little more this time of year and I don't have a seawall. The canal is 80 ft wide and has a community dock that runs the length. Small bridges go over the top of rocks and mangroves providing access to the dock which is supported by pilings every 20 or so feet. The lift /dock will attach but not be supported by the community dock. A side mount lift set up would need 4 and more like 6 mount posts I would think to support the weight of the Intrepid....especially since the weight of a seawall will not be there to counterbalance the weight. Look forward to your feedback.

Glen E · 02-23-2006, 12:50 PM

remember - get a lift that is AT LEAST 15% more that what you boat weighs with full gear, 4 people on it and full gas tanks...don'r scimp on getting near the capacity of the lift - bad things happen when you try to come in under the wire - My boat is 10K and I have a 16K lift and sometimes mine feels like it is taxed....