Jump to content

Welcome to TheMalibuCrew!

As a guest, you are welcome to poke around and view the majority of the content that we have to offer, but in order to post, search, contact members, and get full use out of the website you will need to Register for an Account. It's free and it's easy, so don't hesitate to join the TheMalibuCrew Family today!

How does your boat sit on the lift?


BlitzedVLX

Recommended Posts

Below are some pictures of our boat on the lift. We used to have the boards set at more of an angle but this year we positioned them straight up and down. The boards are set closer together at the bow probaly 3-4" closer than the back. As you can see in the pictures the edge design on the bottom of the hull rests on the board. Should I position the boards so that they are on the inside or outside of this edge? I am sure its not good to have this edge sitting on the boards. Please share how your boat sits on the lift.

20140508_082039.jpg

20140508_082049.jpg

20140508_082059.jpg

20140508_082113.jpg

20140508_082125.jpg

Edited by BlitzedVLX
Link to comment

looks like if you move them closer together slightly you will be fine. I think that's how mine are set up but from those angles its hard to tell.

Link to comment

Doesn't your trailer have 4 bunks on it? Seems like that would be a good way to setup the lift too. Also seems like it would be good to not position the bunks so they rest right on the chines.

Edited by Bill_AirJunky
Link to comment

Just wondering, if you move the boards together would the boat be more likely to tip over in a strong strom/cross wind?

Maybe add two more boards. I would have trouble sleeping if the boat wasn't resting comfortably, but that may just be my ignorance.

Edited by Bozboat
Link to comment

Doesn't your trailer have 4 bunks on it? Seems like that would be a good way to setup the lift too. Also seems like it would be good to not position the bunks so they rest right on the chines.

While it wouldn't hurt, I think 4 bunks is overkill. Lots of boats on our lake for a long time with a 2 bunk lift. Remember the forces between the boat/bunks is nearly static on the lift. The forces on the boat when trailering are many times greater.

You are right about the chines... This is two points of contact. It is going to wear out the bunk pre-maturely, may chip the gel as the bunk wears, and is likely stressing the hull.

20140508_082049.jpg

Link to comment

I'm surprised it uses the narrow edge of the boards for the bunks.

Me too, it does not look right at all. And the bunks are held to the brackets by bolts that are probably not designed with "shear weight" in mind. Mine are 2x6 laying flat side up, on a bracket that swivels back and forth so that it contours the hull.

But yeah, to answer the question, I'd move them away from that chine.

Link to comment

Most bunks are roughly 36" apart. The bunks on my new lift are 41" apart, but I'd prefer if they were about 39" to get them a little further from the chines. It is better to be a little inside the outer chines.

Edited by Cory
Link to comment

Most bunks are roughly 36" apart. The bunks on my new lift are 41" apart, but I'd prefer if they were about 39" to get them a little further from the chines. It is better to be a little inside the outer chines.

So are mine too wide?

Link to comment

I'm surprised it uses the narrow edge of the boards for the bunks.

Anecdotally, I see bunks in this orientation all the time on my lake. Doesn't seem to cause problems. I actually prefer the other orientation on pivots... seems like it would distribute force better.

Link to comment

So are mine too wide?

I run mine wide, too. Going outside the chines let's the boat settle in. Also, it keeps you far away from paddle wheels, intakes, etc. Where are your stringers relative to your bunks?

Link to comment

Actually rotating the board does less to distribute the force and the board is so weak in this direction, it bends to the boats form as noted above. What this means is the boat is actually spanning to the points where the boards are connecting to the cradle and putting a high load in that one area.

I am working on designing a custom cradle lift for our new LSV as we have a shallow area and a typical cradle lift is too thick. I am having to use steel runners to be only 2" thick (tall). A 2x is only 1-1/2" tall(width does not really matter in this calculation) and wood is much weaker, therefore a 2x8 on its side would not distribute the load very well.

Jdubb

Link to comment

Me too, it does not look right at all. And the bunks are held to the brackets by bolts that are probably not designed with "shear weight" in mind. Mine are 2x6 laying flat side up, on a bracket that swivels back and forth so that it contours the hull.

But yeah, to answer the question, I'd move them away from that chine.

Can you imagine if those bolts did shear? The supports would be like spears going through the hull. No likey that design at all.

Link to comment

All, i just installed a new lift this year and have some input. I used a pair of 2x12's per side, cut them at a 10 degree angle, bolted together then added a 2x6 on top of the 2x12's wrapped in marine grade carpet. It's solid and will last a long time. 2x12 boards Boards are 30" apart.

7072E17F-9CD8-4C9B-A76B-C19A6D7F5FE0_zps

D05C3A83-97AE-4670-B5B9-BF459CD86BBC_zps

Edited by JoeA
Link to comment

All, i just installed a new lift this year and have some input. I used a pair of 2x12's per side, cut them at a 10 degree angle, bolted together then added a 2x6 on top of the 2x12's wrapped in marine grade carpet. It's solid and will last a long time. 2x12 boards Boards are 30"

Really like your design joe and we are going to do the same for our lift. Do you have both the front and rear spaced 30" apart?

Link to comment

All, i just installed a new lift this year and have some input. I used a pair of 2x12's per side, cut them at a 10 degree angle, bolted together then added a 2x6 on top of the 2x12's wrapped in marine grade carpet. It's solid and will last a long time. 2x12 boards Boards are 30" apart.

7072E17F-9CD8-4C9B-A76B-C19A6D7F5FE0_zps

D05C3A83-97AE-4670-B5B9-BF459CD86BBC_zps

I've got the same exact lift and messed around with a similar setups for years and from my experience Joe A's setup is the exact way you need to do it...

* Double boards = way stronger/less warping/less pound per square inch of force on boat

* Board MUST rest right on cross member - it should not be elevated higher or it will bend in all sorts of crazy directions

* Inside the chines - look where your boat sits on the trailer - they should match the width of the lower bunks

* Four bunks would be great, but in reality impractical on this type of lift that has straight I-breams across - the brackets would be huge on this kind of lift. I've seen custom welded lifts that have 4 that are nice, a lot more expensive

* I love having guides on the lift - for about $150 you can add brackets that help you perfectly align the boat. If you are 4-5 inches off when lifting it can tilt/warp board/not sit well on boat

I've tried angling mine in, using single board, elevating the boards, having them wider/narrower - and we settled on this and it has worked very well.

Edited by daylorb
Link to comment

I have/do run single 2x12's that are completely vertical. Have done so for several years with no issues. Just move yours in a few inches. With them sitting on the chines or that close your going to battle every time you lift it trying to get it to sit level. Battled with this my first year until I moved them in. Now I have no problems.

Link to comment

Double 2x12's with angle cut on tops. I would be leary of single 2x12 raised up on the brackets like yours is showing (a lot of weight resting on it.)

IMG_1018.jpg

Link to comment

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.

Guest
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Restore formatting

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.

×
×
  • Create New...