Straps or cradle for boat lift???

[Esel Mann]

Our boat house currently has a strap type lift. We are looking to upgrade our boat to something newer. Something along the lines of an open-bow ski boat. V-drive or I/O-drive. I see that many use a cradle for above said type of boats. I'm reluctant to introduce a cradle due to water fluctuation. However it seems that for said boat, there are concerns that straps put too much localised stress on the newer hulls?

So does anyone have experience (good or bad) with using straps for above said type boats?

[GWN7]

If the hull can't be safely lifted with straps don't buy the boat. If the hull hasn't been engineered properly do you really want to go crashing into waves with it?

[VincentVega]

A travel lift moves boats all day long with slings. I only know sailboats but locating the slings to balance the boat and also rest on a bulkhead can be a little challenging on some boats but again, it happens every day. I've never seen a sling lift in my area, I have 4x6's on a frame, wonder if its a regional thing?

[gchappel]

How deep is the water under the boat?
Slings need less draw than the other lifts- is an issue at our lake.
Otherwise I do not see much difference.
We have used slings for 30 yrs on a bunch of different ski boats- never an issue
Gary

[drcoastline]

It depends on the boat. type, size, weight, material, etc. Being an I/O this sounds like a smaller fiberglass boat you are talking about, under forty feet? Either system should be fine with out any issues. When you get into larger boast especially wood where weight and stresses are a concern then you are more often than not better with a cradle set up. Slings can be used but with caution and properly spaced to bear the load properly.

[BeyGon]

My friends 70' Elliott got lifted out of the water and set on the deck of a freighter with straps, he didn't seem to be worried.

[Esel Mann]

Thanks for your feedback guys.

The boat will be 20-21' in length, and from what I gather in the 4500-5500lb range. When the lift was installed I spec'd it to handle a ski-boat with full fuel, accessories and two people (should such be necessary in the lifting/lowering process). So the lift load rating (to include the straps) is more than ample and the hanger spacing (beam width wise) should be correct as well.

What started this is as I'm on the lookout for a suitable boat, I stumbled across on the internet where folks were saying (for similar types of boat) they were encountering cracked windshields, inability to close the windshield window which is at the bow/main cabin walkway, or permanent trim and bow deformation when using straps.

This is just a guess on my part but I'm suspecting these problems are caused because the strap location and hanger width were not properly adjusted based upon the type of boat. Since I will be ensuring proper adjustment I should be ok. But I figured it doesn't hurt to ask around in the case I'm totally wrong and straps are a no-no for what is essentially long-term static storage.

So thanks again!

[nota]

yes but most problems are with cheap junk boats not really the lift

other problem is you are right in the size range of bad boats

people built good boats
made a good name
and sold to a CORP
who then degrade the boats over time
don Aronow is a good example
his donzi's were a well built classic
then he sold out and later boats declined in quality
cigarette same deal then magnum then formula same deal
add in lots of sorta copys and boats that never were any good
and you are setting in small junk boat hell

my advice stay away from CORPrat name boats
and find a small local builder with a good rep
unless you want to learn what year what older boats are good ones
and just repower a well built boat

[djnolan]

There is a difference between storing a boat for an extended period and lifting it for a short time to move it. I would make sure the boat lift setup, whatever it is, straps, bunks, etc. is recommended by the manufacturer. Another angle to approach this from is for the boat lift cradle to mimic the support on the factory trailer to be safe. However if you have roller bunks you won't be able to do that on a boat lift.

A better forum to ask this question on is the Hull Truth.

[VINMAN]

A cradle is way better than using straps, for storage, but as long as the straps are placed inline with the bulkheads, there shouldn't be a problem.


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