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Setting up boat lift cradles...

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Old 08-06-2019 | 07:18 PM
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Does anyone have the measurements on where to place the cradles on a lift for a 1988 Formula 311 SR-1?
Thank you,
Tom
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Old 08-08-2019 | 05:50 PM
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Can’t be more than 36” - 40”’s’wide. That will give you a good start point. Go from there and see what you have but I think this will be just right for you
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Old 08-08-2019 | 06:48 PM
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Hope someone has an answer, when I set mine up it was trial and error for 1/2 a day to get it right. Main issue was so the bunks didn't rest on any of the thru hull fittings
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Old 08-08-2019 | 08:21 PM
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Good points (from both responses)..Thanks!
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Old 08-08-2019 | 08:53 PM
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I build boat houses and install lifts professionally. This is the most important part of setting the lift up properly. If your trailer is set up well, you can steal a lot of helpful info from it. The cradle typically has four cables and midway between them should roughly be at the same place that your center axle lines up to when the boat is loaded. measure the spread on the trailer bunks and set them high enough that your keel is above the cross members. Feel free to PM me if you have any questions or need me to translate my poor explanation here.
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Old 08-08-2019 | 09:44 PM
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Originally Posted by ph1971
I build boat houses and install lifts professionally. This is the most important part of setting the lift up properly. If your trailer is set up well, you can steal a lot of helpful info from it. The cradle typically has four cables and midway between them should roughly be at the same place that your center axle lines up to when the boat is loaded. measure the spread on the trailer bunks and set them high enough that your keel is above the cross members. Feel free to PM me if you have any questions or need me to translate my poor explanation here.
Thanks alot! I will mention this to my professional dock builder.
Where in North Florida are you?
I'm from Jacksonville...but this is all happening on Perdido Key.
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Old 08-09-2019 | 06:12 AM
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I live in the sleepy town of Melrose. It’s about halfway between Gainesville and Palatka.
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Old 08-09-2019 | 06:31 AM
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If you need a nice cradle, call Aluminum Boat Cradles in Umatilla Florida. 800-218-1017 They do a great job and will set you up right. I get all of mine from them.
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Old 08-09-2019 | 06:37 AM
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Originally Posted by ph1971
I live in the sleepy town of Melrose. It’s about halfway between Gainesville and Palatka.
I went to Gainesville...so I know Melrose.
Are you old enough to remember a TV show called Ranger Hal? That is my (deceased) Father.
I will check where the cradle is coming from.
Hopefully, when we get back to Perdido Key...I can repay all the kind support!
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Old 08-09-2019 | 07:34 AM
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I don’t remember Ranger Hal. Was that a Gainesville thing? Perdido Key is a great area but it’s too close to FSU. Just remember to tell everyone up there that if they ain’t Gators they’re Gator Bait. Good luck with the move and let me know if I can help with sourcing any lift parts you need. Roscoe
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