Rule of thumb/boat lift ?
 

How do you determine what size you need as far a lifting capacity. i.e. 10,000lb boat w/o fuel & equip. your should be looking at 14 to 16000lb lifts ?

Lots of 12000lb lifts at the LOTO but I think they are too small. Manf. says my boat weighs 9700 and thats dry, me thinks 12k lift cuts it close. Correct thinking........

Re: Rule of thumb/boat lift ?
 

go with 16k that way it will lift it with gas and people in it....

Re: Rule of thumb/boat lift ?
 

i have a center mount 14k lift for my 9k fountain and its great,
i have a center mount 4500 lb for 3k lb ski boat,
i was told the sidemounts are rated 1000 lbs less than what they can hold,.
i had a sidemount and i think they suck,,
raise the front then the back and keep it level by adjusting the valves from side to side.
i have hydrohoist brand and i have also heard other manufacturers are diff.
i would go bigger than you need as if youy get a bigger boat lift can stay and it seems more stabil.

Re: Rule of thumb/boat lift ?
 

I got a 12,000# HydroHoist for my 31-foot Cig Bullet. Do you think it's large enough? :(

Re: Rule of thumb/boat lift ?
 

what brand lift?...

Re: Rule of thumb/boat lift ?
 

full of fuel, coolers and people, it might not make it...

Re: Rule of thumb/boat lift ?
 

Clay, I have a 9000#, 4 pontoon Hydrohoist (old) that I use with my Bullet. I am sure it is a little small, but it has worked for years.

Don

Re: Rule of thumb/boat lift ?
 

Both lifts i have are 16,000 lbs. This is what the manufacturer's reccommended for a 12,000 lb boat. Only a few more bucks.

Re: Rule of thumb/boat lift ?
 

I had a 16,000 lb lift support a few different boats, 38 Top Gun, 41 Apache, 42 Fountain and 47 Fountain. Look at the weakest point on the lift as that is what will cause all of the problems (the gear box load rating, cable strength and ask what the material deflection is under a full load). Typically lift manufacturers build in a minimum 25% weight safety factor i.e. 16,000lb. rated lift should hold 20,000lb. without any structural damage or failure.

Re: Rule of thumb/boat lift ?
 

I would over do-it then under do-it :D

Re: Rule of thumb/boat lift ?
 

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

Re: Rule of thumb/boat lift ?
 

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

Re: Rule of thumb/boat lift ?
 

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 !!!

Re: Rule of thumb/boat lift ?
 

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.

Re: Rule of thumb/boat lift ?
 

HydroHoist - triple pontoon

Re: Rule of thumb/boat lift ?
 

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.

Re: Rule of thumb/boat lift ?
 

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.

Re: Rule of thumb/boat lift ?
 

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.

Re: Rule of thumb/boat lift ?
 

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!

Re: Rule of thumb/boat lift ?
 

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

Re: Rule of thumb/boat lift ?
 

My 35 Fountain sits on a 10,000 lift and it seems to raise it easily.

Re: Rule of thumb/boat lift ?
 

Always go bigger than you need. That way you have room for enpansion. I lift a 35 fountain with a 4 motor 16000 lb. lift. Overkill for sure but i know that 42 is down the road somewhere.

Re: Rule of thumb/boat lift ?
 

I found a custom 18,000 lb Hydro Hoist for my 35ft fountain I know it is overkill but it leaves room to upgrade......BZ

Re: Rule of thumb/boat lift ?
 

found pictures....

Re: Rule of thumb/boat lift ?
 

Depends on the lift. We (I saw we meaning my lift company) had a customer put a 45' triple engine Sonic on a 12,000# lift with no problems. The lift would stall when lifing the boat full of fuel until he changed the lift motors. We also have a customer on LI that has (not sure if he still does) a 13 Whaler on a 120,000# lift. Reason being the Army Corp and EPA has cracked down and said you can only do this once. Piles can never be driven in this body of water again. So he is ready for anything.

My advice has always been by the lift that will carry your dream (realistic). Aluminum 3 post lifts will be good for 30+ years of service. So do it once and be done forever. If you think you may go to a cat someday, make sure you get a lift that is wide enough. I have converted a few lifts that were setup for V to Cats.