Not as P23 but..

Posted By: Dave Edwards, P165
Date: 7/15/08 6:50p.m.

Report: outside forum guidelines

In Response To: P23 on a Lift? (Wifey)

You will want to modify the lift to emulate the trailer keel support and bunks. I could not find anyone, dealer or otherwise, that could address modifying a lift for a keel type sailboat so I developed my own modification. For my P165 I use a 2000 lb Shore Station and ran a 8" aluminum structual channel from front to back on the lift to support the keel. After a year of use the 8" channel developed very slight bow, like 3/16" of 10' so I added a 10" aluminum structual channel and left the 8" channel in place. It has been solid as a rock since. The keel channel has to support the entire weight of the boat. The side bunks offer support to keep it up right. If you go ahead with the purchase I suggest adding a 12 VDC drive motor for the lift. I also set up a solar panel and use a lawn mower battery to power the DC drive. The P165 draws 21". I lift the boat such that the keel lift is about 6" above the water level. When the boat is not in use for an extended period of time I remove the mainsail and boom to reduce windage in case of a storm. You also want to figure out how you will be installing and removing the lift. My keel support interferes with some of the standard lift installation and transport gear. I pay some folks $65 to put it in and $65 to take it out. I have never seen them move it but I think they have to use the "arm strong". It weighs 500/600 lb. The amount of depth you will need will depend on the type and brand of lift you select. The P165 draws 21" and I like to have 30" of water depth at the front of the lift. This allows the water depth to drop a few inches before I have to move the lift into deeper water. The lake I am on is spring fed and tends to be high in the spring. The water tends to drop over the summer due to evaporation. Usually about mid-July to early August I have to move the lift into slightly deeper water. The one danger is that if you ignor the drop in lake level you might have a problem getting the boat off of the lift. I have had a few times when I had to nudge the boat in order for the keel clear the aft strut of the lift. In any case the lift was a pain to convert for the P165 but if I am not around for a while I don't worry about the boat. It has survived serveral Michigan storms on the lift without a problem. I have never liked keeping a boat on a pin. They also make "sling" type lifts. I have not seen these in Michigan. I am not positive but the sling type lifts may intended for permanent installation. In Michigan you have to remove the lift in the fall otherwise the ice will take it out. Also you will want to check out your available launch ramps. I don't know the P23 but you might want something like 36" of water depth at the axle. The MiDNR ramps are usually pretty good. I may have some other photos of my lift that show more detail if you are interested. What lake are you on? Good luck.