Docking R7 and Lift

[Chele70]

Hi everyone, New to this forum and hoping for a no "judgement" zone for this girl

We have a 2019 R7 Surf. We formerly had a 2006 262. Our 262 was in a smaller slip and all we had to do was pull into the slip and catch the rails. And TADAAA , we were parked. With our new R7, we are in a bigger slip and the lift is lower for the forward prop. It seems like we have to get it exactly right on the rails, floating not too forward, not too back, and exactly center to avoid catastrophe.

Can anyone help us with a tried and true method of centering our boat on the lift without 30 minutes of minute adjustments? We currently have an Econohoist. The guide ropes we are using are helpful but not consistent.

Again, I'm guessing I'm missing a simple solution, but it's starting to stress me out and make me want to avoid the boat all together.

--Thanks all,
Michele

[AsLan7]

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Hey Michele. Welcome to the Cobaltchat forum. So glad you found us!

We have some lift owners who will chime in shortly.
Thanks for the great pic.

You may be female resident number 3 on the forum if it’s pronounced Michelle.

Again, welcome aboard mate (gal).?

[Chele70]

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[cmattj]

Welcome from California! Congratulations!

So let me share what I do when I pull in and just flip my blower on. You’ll need 3 lines and guide poles.

I have two lines that go to my back cleats that are tied to the front of the hoist. Perfectly even to set how far back the boat can go.
I have one single spring line ties to the rear of the hoist in the starboard side, that I grab as I’m coming in slowly , and attach it to my side cleat by me.
I attach the two rear lines once my furthest point stops me , and I’m set.
Add some forward and back lines. Some guide poles and it will be easy.

I used tape to mark my transom end and dock so I knew were to start me adjustments.
Your rope adjustment should be firm when in the water and just barely able to grave the rear cleats once in.
It will be loose once the bunks come up.
Easy peasy!
Here’s a pic where my lines are kept on the guide poles when coming in as I grab the spring line first.

[Chele70]

Thank you cmattj! Seems simple enough, right? The guide poles will be next on my list. I appreciate you taking the time. I reserve the right to ask future questions. Thanks again!

[tgrace98]

I went from a 2002 262 to a 2019 R7 standard stern drive (non surf) I installed decking around my slip to help line me up. I’m in a 12x32ft slip so I had kind of the same issue. I’m on a boat floater 6600lb lift.

[Chele70]

Smooth Operator, we do have the decking forward but it is still difficult to have it perfectly center. Looks like you have some kind of framework that positions your boat on the port and starboard? I need that. Only problem is that I'm not that tall and need to drag the boat over to actually board the boat. I tell ya, short girl problems. Ugh. Econohoist needs a planking system on the sides with added railing.

[NautiGirl]

Welcome, no judging here...I've worked hard to keep these guys in line...some days are better than others!

We've got some pretty smart fellas around here that are already coming to assist you! I'm sure you will get it all worked out.

BTW, beautiful boat!

Good luck!
~Mrs. Nauti

[MnLakeBum]

Looking at that lift it would seem there is a way to get some vertical guides and a bow stop in place to make it much easier. Here’s a picture of my Shorestation lift for my R5 Surf as an example. The bow stop is about $450 and looks like it would attaché to your lift structure with some minor modifications.

[tgrace98]

Correct. My lift is a floating lift since I’m on a core lake that can vary many ft throughout the year. So it is secured to the sides of the slip and lifts the boat in the center. The rails are to stabilize the lift when all the way up and give me something to stand on to board the boat. I just had them install my lift as far forward as possible. So when the tip of the bow lines up with the very front of my slip. I know I’m in perfect position.

[Chele70]

Looking at that lift it would seem there is a way to get some vertical guides and a bow stop in place to make it much easier. Here’s a picture of my Shorestation lift for my R5 Surf as an example. The bow stop is about $450 and looks like it would attaché to your lift structure with some minor modifications.

The bow stop would be extremely helpful. I'll look into it. Thank you!! Gull Lake is beautiful. We used to travel up there and spend the 4th of July at Grand View Lodge. Great memories.

[Chele70]

Welcome, no judging here...I've worked hard to keep these guys in line...some days are better than others!

We've got some pretty smart fellas around here that are already coming to assist you! I'm sure you will get it all worked out.

BTW, beautiful boat!

Good luck!
~Mrs. Nauti

Thank you! Seems like you've done a great job. I really appreciate all the help.

[Raddoc]

Nice boat. I just received some speaker and wake rack covers to keep the spiders and webs off while I am away. Very happy with them.
.

[Driller]

Here's How I do it. I have my aft lines ties to the rear post on the dock and adjusted so that when they are pulled tight the boat is centered in the slip and positioned about a foot from running into the dock on the bow.

I have a special "Y" line which hooks onto the bow cleats and allows me to pull on a single line evenly on both cleats at the same time.

I come into the slip hooking the two aft lines on the aft cleats. Get out of the boat and have the wife hook up the "Y" line to both bow cleats.

I start the lift and lean back on the "Y" line pulling against the aft lines which pulls the boat forward into the perfect position while also centering the boat on the lift. When the lift catches the boat it is in the perfect position.

Took me a couple of hours to get the aft lines exactly right, but I have been using it afterwards for 2 years without an issue.

[Big Block Power]

Welcome and don't worry we have a short guy on here to. He can't see over the sides of the boat from the inside of it.
Yt it's your turn
If you need help parking your boat into the garage I'm your guy!!
Yes Katie keeps us in line and we loce her