lift capacity

[cmattj]

When I was in Georgia, Lake Oconee is a “ Constant level” lake. 2-3 inches??? Crazy as it actually had current and the water was moving , to run the Georgia power turbines. Then it transfers back?

I loce the fact you can have a low level non flooding backyard with a retaining wall.

Even 80 miles from ocean we have 4-5 ft tides, so everything must float.

I currently still use my 12,000 lb hoist as I can configure the hoist and bunks for a 24ft to 38 foot boat, And a 10.6 ft beam. Overkill maybe but you can never have enough hoist.

[AsLan7]

Nice setup Matt.

[okielaker]

I never lift my boat more than a couple inches out of the water with people on the boat. Mainly because I leave the boat on the lift all winter. So when it is all the way up and the boat and drive are completely out of the water. It takes an acrobat to get on and off it. So it works perfectly for me

TG, did you look at YT's picture? I'm thinking that having the swim deck backed up to the dock
would give you the perfect in/out on/off access. No acrobatics involved. YT, isn't that
what you were saying about your lift configuration? What brand lift is that?

[tgrace98]

I never lift my boat more than a couple inches out of the water with people on the boat. Mainly because I leave the boat on the lift all winter. So when it is all the way up and the boat and drive are completely out of the water. It takes an acrobat to get on and off it. So it works perfectly for me

TG, did you look at YT's picture? I'm thinking that having the swim deck backed up to the dock
would give you the perfect in/out on/off access. No acrobatics involved. YT, isn't that
what you were saying about your lift configuration? What brand lift is that?

Since I’m in a marina I had to go with what they were willing to install. I own my lift but still lease the slip. However I am having them build me a porch around my bow area in the slip. To help with ease of boarding and for cleaning the bow area.

[Driller]

My dock floats and the Hydro Hoist floats with it. I've seen Lake Travis go from -82 ft to +10 feet in a matter of a few days. This has happened twice in the last 7 years. Times like that, I appreciate my setup.

[AsLan7]

My dock floats and the Hydro Hoist floats with it. I've seen Lake Travis go from -82 ft to +10 feet in a matter of a few days. This has happened twice in the last 7 years. Times like that, I appreciate my setup.

.
Driller, that is one mean looking head-on Cobalt pic! Looks like it's ready to sting!
.

[tgrace98]

My dock floats and the Hydro Hoist floats with it. I've seen Lake Travis go from -82 ft to +10 feet in a matter of a few days. This has happened twice in the last 7 years. Times like that, I appreciate my setup.

.
Driller, that is one mean looking head-on Cobalt pic! Looks like it's ready to sting!
.

Do I spy a unicorn 262 next to him?

[Driller]

My dock floats and the Hydro Hoist floats with it. I've seen Lake Travis go from -82 ft to +10 feet in a matter of a few days. This has happened twice in the last 7 years. Times like that, I appreciate my setup.

.
Driller, that is one mean looking head-on Cobalt pic! Looks like it's ready to sting!
.

Do I spy a unicorn 262 next to him?

Yep.

[MnLakeBum]

The floating lifts are a real rarity around here because almost all of the 12,600 lakes in MN stay at a consistent level. The thing that surprises most people is the lakes warm up fast once the ice melts because most of them average only about 40-60 feet in depth. The lake we are on is the 15th largest lake in the state and last June 10th when our R5 was delivered the water temperature was 70* and it was 80* by the 4th of July. Here’s a couple pics, one from my live webcam and another from the summer. Hard to believe that those lifts will be in the water in less than 60 days! The average high temp right now is 34* and in 60 days thankfully it will be 67*. The lifts are hydraulic run by a deep cycle battery that is kept charged by a small solar panel. They normally install the lifts so they are about 4-5 feet deep under the back of the boat which on most lakes is anywhere from 40 to 150 feet from shore. The one on the left is 11’x34’ and the other one is 10’x30’.

[Ytmsn]

I never lift my boat more than a couple inches out of the water with people on the boat. Mainly because I leave the boat on the lift all winter. So when it is all the way up and the boat and drive are completely out of the water. It takes an acrobat to get on and off it. So it works perfectly for me

TG, did you look at YT's picture? I'm thinking that having the swim deck backed up to the dock
would give you the perfect in/out on/off access. No acrobatics involved. YT, isn't that
what you were saying about your lift configuration? What brand lift is that?

Okie it's an 8000# Airport lift. I can have a tank added for more ballast later and turn it into a 10k if I ever get a heavier boat. They're less expensive than a hydro, and with one of those, if you ever upgrade you have to buy a new lift. I like that I can expand, and I like that it is solidly built, but the hydro spreads the weight out more.

https://airportboatlifts.com/

When I back I to my slip I have to center exactly between the bunks too or I might risk a prop strike on one of the bunks, so I get about halfway in, go to neutral and walk it in. Easy Peasy. That's with the drive all the way down. Backing with a raised outdrive is pretty sketchy, so I just get it started, shut off or switch to neutral, and ease on in. I usually step out and walk it in the last couple feet, and situate the swim platform about 5 or 6 inches from the head pier before turning the lift on.

Only the bunks are within prop range, the tank and frame are plenty deep. If I would have had longer lift arms installed it would put the boat too high up in the air when fully lifted,so it's a trade off. As it is, I have a little step up to get in, or I can raise it to level with the walkway.

[Big Block Power]

Yt I like that they use Cobalts in the pictures.

[Ytmsn]

I know, right?

[okielaker]

So, ended up with a 10,000lb lift, 'cause it was cheaper used than a new 4400.

Doesn't show in this picture, but somewhere there must be an air leak in the
tank of connections on the port side (as boat sits). Boat is now in winter
storage, and after about 3 weeks, the port tank is lower an inch or so than
the starboard. I guess soap-and-water test to look for bubbles is first thing to
try. Any other suggestions?

20190923_100524.jpg

[cmattj]

Since there are two aspects where these leak let me share the first diagnostic.

Where your port side hose ( Or hoses ) exits the Controller I would use a large c- clamp or device to seal off the hoses.

If she still drops then we know its the tanks or hoses and not the fittings to the control box.

Still drops??

Hydro-hoist run at very low air pressure pressure (3-4 psi) and are difficult to determine air leaking. Your best visual is to partially submerge it and look for very tiny stream of bubble at each hose unit. usually its the hose that needs a re trim ( cut 2 3 inches off and re- tighten or re epoxy the fittings to the tank.

Stays up after clamping??

I have found on my Hydroist that the plastic fittings inside the box get loose. Especially after be transported and twisted they can easily move.

Loosen the control box and lay it on it side. inspect the clamps, hoses and plastic pipe fitting for movement and secure everything. it doesnt take much on the low pressure fittings to seal and they loosen over time.
Should you have to remove any hoses to tighten the controller fitting while you boat is on then you should have c- clamps and plugs handy during the removal.

[okielaker]

ok. gives me something to look at. thank you, Matt.