Pragamitic tips needed on how to float out a boat lift

[SilentSeven]

I have to float this lift out of it's current location to a beach a few hundred yards away, beach the lift and disassemble.

Looking for some pragmatic tips on how to best to this.

Current thinking is to get two 55 gallon barrels, lash them to the lift and then carefully float the lift along the shore to the beach. I currently have no idea how I might beach the lift to disassemble. Hoping I can get the lift out of the water but if not, I'm prepared to disassemble in the water. I won't be able to get a car on the beach so it's not possible to drag it out. If I go another 3/8 mile or so, I can get the lift to a boat ramp where I could likely drag it out.

Any and all suggestions appreciated!

[gcam4]

Strap the two barrels, I used towable tubes, to the bunks when in the up position. Then lower the lift until it floats. The "lower" you go the more of the lift will be in the water. Drag it as close to shore as possible and carry it out with about 5 people. It's how we got ours into the water.

I have done this twice and simply swam the lift over. Towables that are flat work better, they seem more stable.

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[MN Ryan]

No wheels? 4 reasonably fit men (or high school guys!) shouldn't have much problem getting it out of the water if the shore isn't steep.

I've heard of this but never done it. Stick a large inner tube under each corner of the lift and inflate. Might be worth a try.

With only two barrels, I'd be concerned with stability.

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[shag]

I use 4, 55 gallon drums for a heavier 10k hydraulic lift and strap them securely in two directions to the most secure place of the 4 corners. The as stated above, lower the lift and she floats. Aluminum lifts shouldn't be that heavy, I actually used my boat trailer to get in and out of the water, just have to be careful not to damage the trailer.. And towing the lift should be done at idle speed.

[SilentSeven]

No wheels here in the PNW. Most lifts are left in all year.

How do you attach the towables to the lift? For barrels, I can see using two ratchet straps per barrel.

Interesting idea on tubes at all four corners...have to look into that one!

Good point on just carrying it out of the water. I think the pallet weight for this lift is about 600 lbs so a group of guys just walking it out feels like a reasonable plan. The boat trailer idea is an interesting alternative.

[shag]

No wheels here in the PNW. Most lifts are left in all year.

How do you attach the towables to the lift? For barrels, I can see using two straps per barrel.

Interesting idea on tubes at all four corners...have to look into that one!

Good point on just carrying it out of the water. I think the pallet weight for this lift is about 600 lbs so a group of guys just walking it out feels like a reasonable plan. The boat trailer idea is an interesting alternative.

yes the crossbars of the lift will rest on your trailer bunks.

[SilentSeven]

yes the crossbars of the lift will rest on your trailer bunks.

Hmmm. Kinda liking this idea more and more. Poke away with flaws or alternatives.....

1. Attach two barrels with ratchet straps; one to each side of the frame. Maybe use a towable or two for additional stability.
2. Move lift in the water to boat ramp
3. Remove lift legs next to ramp while in the water.
4. Use trailer to pull lift body out of the water

Profit!

[shag]

Hmmm. Kinda liking this idea more and more. Poke away with flaws or alternatives.....

1. Attach two barrels with ratchet straps; one to each side of the frame. Maybe use a towable or two for additional stability.
2. Move lift in the water to boat ramp
3. Remove lift legs next to ramp while in the water.
4. Use trailer to pull lift body out of the water

Profit!

I have done this several times over the last 20 years when I needed to work on or replace, and it works like a charm... And I didn't even need help.

[MN Ryan]

No wheels here in the PNW. Most lifts are left in all year.

Ahhh. Here in MN, it's a twice-yearly dance of putting in and taking out any docks and lifts you don't want destroyed by ice!

They're awkward but not overly heavy (with 4 guys). Water temps and shoreline are more of an issue (our bank abruptly rises 4-6').

Good luck. Take photos for us!



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[gcam4]

I always attach the floats to the bunks with ratchet straps and then lower the bunks. That will in turn float the lift. It won't damage anything either. I've done it by myself twice.

I like the float onto the trailer idea too.

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[CHassmann]

We moved two boat lifts a couple of years ago, both of which are the same size as yours. We actually moved one of them a long distance. We had 5 guys pick up the lift and slid a floating jet ski dock under it. We then used a pontoon boat to float the lift to the new location. This worked out great because it was a cool rainy day and we didn't have to deal with any waves from other boat traffic to thwart our progress.

[azeus17]

I always attach the floats to the bunks with ratchet straps and then lower the bunks. That will in turn float the lift. It won't damage anything either. I've done it by myself twice.

I like the float onto the trailer idea too.

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I don't think this method will work for him. Most manual cantilever lifts can only apply force in the up direction. They rely on gravity to lower, so you can not push the floats down to get the lift floating...if that makes sense. It just puts slack in the cable. At least that was the case on my old manual lift.

To the OP, I've used tubes at the corners before. Either old tractor tire inner tubes, or towables. Just sink them and tie around a corner or under crossbar and then inflate. Doesn't take much. I'd go with 3 at least for stability...maybe two in the back and one centered in the front.

[SilentSeven]

Correct on the inablity to lower the support and float the lift. I'm going back and forth between lashing on two 55 gallon barrels or the tube corner float method.

I kinda like the tube method but it's unclear how to best lash them to the frame. Probably would use 4 tractor tubes vs inflatables. Suggestions on how to tie a tube on so it doesn't come off?

The barrel method solves the lashing problem...just use a couple ratchet straps to the frame....

[Lakejackson]

I always attach the floats to the bunks with ratchet straps and then lower the bunks. That will in turn float the lift. It won't damage anything either. I've done it by myself twice.

I like the float onto the trailer idea too.

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I’ve also done this several times on my old hydraulic cantilever lift.


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[gcam4]

Correct on the inablity to lower the support and float the lift. I'm going back and forth between lashing on two 55 gallon barrels or the tube corner float method.

I kinda like the tube method but it's unclear how to best lash them to the frame. Probably would use 4 tractor tubes vs inflatables. Suggestions on how to tie a tube on so it doesn't come off?

The barrel method solves the lashing problem...just use a couple ratchet straps to the frame....

My bad, I thought they were similar to the hydraulic ones, only manual.

I'm not sure how you will be able to use the barrels though. They will have buoyancy immediately and will be difficult to create lift and strap. Unless I'm thinking of it wrong.

Also, you don't want to know what I paid for my 4 yr old sunstream based on what you paid for this one! It did involve a trip not much different than NautiqueJeff going to get a boat though!

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