Storing boat by lift rings?

[srock]

The negative is it swings while up in the air more than a cradle. As a shallow water alternative, I had a lift that was fixed and the front and center of the boat on a pylon with the cradle running in a "V" toward the back. This allowed a shallow water installation as there was less bunk/beam to sink. The bunk was a simple c channel approx 4" deep with a 1x and carpet on top. The back of the bunks were lifted buy a cable on a beam along the wide end (stern) of the "V". Sorry I don't have a picture. Worked perfect.

[SkiTundra]

My uncle used to hang his Nautique by the lift rings. He had 4 posts sunk in to the water with padding on the insides. About 1" wider than the boat. He'd pull in, hook up, and flip a switch to hoist the boat up out of the water. The cables were pre-strung through eyes in a canvas cover that he'd then drop down over the whole thing. No boat house and the thing was tight enough that wind didn't seem to bother it. He wasn't allowed to have a boathouse or covered structure near the water so this was next best alternative. Later on he installed an incline rail that hauled the boat up the hill to a boathouse outside the DNR limits.

[88mars2001]

I wouldn't hesitate to lift by the rings. As others mentioned before, I would be more concerned about the lifting structure than the boat itself. The only picture I know of with an inboard is from CCF....

Scroll down to the bottom...two CC's swinging away!!
http://www.correctcraftfan.com/diari...ls.asp?ID=4617

[kentsmith12]

It was made for being stored via the rings. A friend of mine has done it for years. Never has to worry about getting his boat out when the water is down.

My boat house is already set up for a cradle and not rings (it takes a much longer hoist pole) but I decided to go with straps and I've done that for 9 years with various Nautiques. That might be a better solution - help you sleep at night...

However, the rings work just as well. Save your money - cradles are over hyped and they are not cheap plus you need an extra few feet of draft.

When the water is low I still can get my boat out...

[rleinen79]

A few examples:

[WakeSlayer]

The Mustang looks funny in such a huge hoist.

[maxpower220]

I have seen people use the lifting rings to store boats and know that it is an accepted way to do it.

However, manufacturers are very specific in detailing the length of the bunks on your trailer must extend to the transom. If they do not, the hull can "warp" downward. I don't understand how that could happen. When I think of suspending a boat with no support under it (lifting rings) vs a boat on a trailer with bunks that don't extend to the transom, I can't help but think that there will be a problem. It doesn't make sense to me that lifting rings would not "warp" the hull , but bunks will unless they extend to the transom.

[SkiTower]

I understand there are plenty of examples of people doing it, but they are 'lifting' rings, not hanging rings. I'd have no problem lifting it, but I'd have to support it somehow for the long haul. Fatigue will get ya every time...

[zapada]

If you build a structure based on lifting the boat vs bunks then you are committing yourself to a nautique. I don't any of the other manufacturers recommend lifting for extended periods, while all boats would work with a bunk or strap system. That is the best hedge for uncertainty.

[WakeSlayer]

I wish I could have a setup that would allow me to hang the boats in a boathouse. I see nothing wrong with it at all. The only thing I would do differently than now is remove the lead ballast and drain my belly bag when I hoisted it. I currently leave that stuff in the boat on my Shorestation. The Mustang is so light I would definitely not sweat that one.

[nautiquesonly]

Storing boat by lift rings?

I have my 1998 Sport hanging on davits by the lift rings in Florida and no problem or change at all. In fact Correct Craft recommends the boats be stored this way. My ski partner has a 1986 Nautique and it has hung by the lift rings since he bought new in 1986 its perfect.