boat lifts and forward stops (aka don't wang the prop)

[SilentSeven]

For you boat lift owners out there, how are you keeping the transom laterally in place so you don't whack the prop into one of the lift rails?

I just got use of a lift and nearly (nearly...whew) ran the boat too far forward such that the prop nearly clobbered a lift rail. There's no forward stop on the lift like a trailer. I do have some side rails I will look to adjust in. But curious what others are doing here....

[scottb7]

I have not figured anything out...Other then coming in slow and then I have some loops of rope hanging from lift canopy to grab and stop the boat before running the prop shaft up onto lift cradle. And you have to be careful before pushing back. One time I started up the boat and put her in reverse before I noticed I had drifted forward and prop banged a little on the cradle.

Anyway, before lifting boat up I have found that rear handles on each side when lined up with canopy legs get boat set perfectly on the lift where i like her and leave between 3 and 5 inches (between prop shaft and lift cradle.

I think you can buy a bow stop for some lifts...But I kind of gave up on that idea.

[SilentSeven]

oi...I bet you saved me a prop on the 'check before reverse' comment. Can absolutely see that happening. For now, I'm going to bring in the side arms to reduce the side to side action and then carefully note with some visual references how are forward I can go before the danger zone.

I'm good as long as I stay centered. It's when the stern drifts that I have issues.

[scottb7]

You won't want the guide rails in that close for a couple reasons. One it is hard enough to get in the lift when it is windy. Second once on lift and up out of the water you can walk around the cradle and wipe the boat down and you want a few inches to get your hand and rag between the guide rails and the boat sides to wipe down.

Figure out the visual reference for how far to be in before you raise it up, and hang some rope loops if you have a canopy to pull yourself in and out.

[azeus17]

+1 on the manual in and out. Another idea is to only put the cradle down enough to just barely get the boat moving. Then when you come in, it should stop from friction. I still walk it in and out using the canopy as my leverage. All that being said, most lift companies do sell some sort of bow stop.

[lucky7t]

Our is placed inside a slip. It's installed so that I can't go too far. It could get close but won't hit. It's a hydro hoist

[SilentSeven]

OK. Good feedback. We have no walkabout (I wish!) and no canopy (double I wish). I am going to narrow up the guides a bit; they are set for the last boat which is much wider but good comment on the wind. Maybe I can get a pic to two....

[scottb7]

It isn't a walkabout per se...You just go over the side and stand on the cradle...

[charlesml3]

You need to memorize a reference point. On my boat and lift, I know the boat's in the right place when the rear starboard lift cable is aligned with the gas filler cap. You could use one of the dock posts as a point. Just figure out where the boat needs to be and find something you can easily see from your standing position operating the lift switch.

-Charles

[SilentSeven]

Charles - yup. I have setup the reference points as you suggested.

Scott - I'll have to look at my lift again. Not sure how I could stand outside mine. I only have bunks running fore/aft. Having a hard time visualizing what else I could stand on.

[Chris4x4Gill2]

I made a bow stop that bolts to the lift cradle and then comes out and up with pads like on my trailer.

[Cowboy Roy]

I use a rope with an eye on each end, one to the rear cleat on the dock and attach it to the rear cleat on my boat.

Push the boat forward until the line is tight and that is where I need to be when I turn the lift on.

[wakehead]

there is no magic trick, but what I do is that as I am hovering into my lift i have my gear in reverse slowly, it is then easy just to apply more gas to refrain the boat from going forward. But as everyone else said, slowly .... why rush !!!

[scottb7]

I made a bow stop that bolts to the lift cradle and then comes out and up with pads like on my trailer.

Picture please...

[Chris4x4Gill2]

Picture please...

Sorry,

I didnt see this until now. I checked through my phone and did not have a picture. What I did was get the boat properly positioned on the lift and then measured from about a foot back on the bow to the lift cradle and then from that point up to about 2 or 3 feet above the bow. welded tubing together to make 2 "L"'s with cross bracing. Added a pair of 1x12s carpeted to the upright for the bow stop. Made a mounting plate at the end to match the bolt holes on the lift and bolted it to the same place the bunks attached.

I actually just took it off last weekend because its not going to work with the new boat.