General rule of thumb is one and a half times your weight.

Well not to take over the thread but could a 10,000 lb HydroHoist (new style) lift hold a 38 Fountain?

I wanted to rev-visit this ? again b/c of this statement and its truth as newby. I have been looking for 14-15k lbs lifts.

I have located a lift 4 sale in which the owner had the exact same boat I now own. Its 12000lbs and our boats weight 9700lbs dry and I figure w/gas, people (etc) I would have over 12k easy.

Lift owner said he never had a problem as I made mention that it may not be a big enough lift.

Somewhat perplexed by the 25% statement, thats 3000lbs +/- extra capacity

comments welcome.

Signed,
winter still sucks !!!

the boat is most likely a considered at least a live load on the lift, most likely engineered for more than 1.6x the weight of the boat.... 10k lb lift could hold 16k just before failure.... but you better get a lift rated for higher than you boat I don't think you insurer wants a 16k lb boat on a 10k lb lift.

HydroHoist - triple pontoon

Why would you want to lift the boat when it's full of people? We always let the boat down before anyone gets in and everybody get's back out before it goes back up.

To be specific the boat(330SS) will be right at 12000 lbs full of fuel/water, 2-adults 2-kids and a added 500lbs for gear just to be safe. Not trying to skimp and realize a 14-15k lift may be better suited, its just I see myself moving into a 370SS in a few years and I will have to get a larger lift then anyway.

If the rule of 25% extra capicity applyies then a 12k lift has the ability to lift 15k, and in my case I don't see my boat being too much more than 12k and less than that when raising and lowering the boat to be safe.

You should be fine.... HHoists are the best IMO. a 12K lift can take higher. My neighbor at my marina in TN used a 18K lift. I used an 8K lift for my 29 beak boat and had plenty to spare. The largest lift we sold was 12K and it was used for a 33 Sundancer that was next to me. It should be OK.

I cant answer the rule of thumb part !
I can only say that my neighbor and I both own 16000 lbs capacity hydro lifts. In our case a 9900 lbs dry 38' Cigarette and in Toms case a 38' Fountain. The 16000 lbs was recommended per application at the time,so far know issues for either lift.
With fuel and passengers we are well above the 12000lbs mark!

My 97 Kevlar top gun with full cabin sits on a 12K lift at LOTO no problem. So did my 93 Kevlar TG all with full fuel.

I think 12 K will do you just fine but if you are worried go with the 14K