Sure, you can do it

Posted By: Tom Ray
Date: 7/16/08 2:36a.m.

Report: outside forum guidelines

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

The depth needed would depend on lift frame and bunk design, but 3' should be more than enough. In this part of the world, lifts are right next to a seawall, and it's often a bit shallow at the seawall. If you have it dredged, the seawall falls in the water. The solution is to make the lift frame deep in the center and have it angle up at the edges. If your problem is a shallow edge, this can help, but if you're dealing with uniformly shallow lake bottom, it won't. The boat needs to be supported on the keel, particularly the front part of the keel, where all the lead is located. The bunks on each side should carry enough of the weight to prevent the boat from rocking, the rest should be carried on the keel. It helps to put a pair of poles on the forward crossbeam of the lift, to catch and position the bow of the boat on the lift. Another pair on the aft crossbeam spaced widely enough to allow the boat to pass will help to center the stern.