Boat Lift size

[Tragically Canuck]

I'm looking to purchase a vertical boat lift but I'm struggling with the width of the boat lift. I live on a river and water speed can vary depending on rain and a small amount on the hydro plants controlling things.

My boat has 102 " beam and the most popular/common boat lifts I'm finding in the classified ads are 108", which seems small as it only allows me 3" on each side to maneuver my boat into. The next model up is 120" but is less common and harder to find.

Any suggestions from other lift owners out there?

 

[Chris1956]

I have a piling-mounted swinger lift. I need to put the gunwale of the boat against the vertical tubes, and adjust the boat to be in a particular place, so the lift is balanced bow to stern. It is easy to do since the boat is small.

On a river with a current, you may need to tie the boat inside the lift perimeter, to get it into the right position to activate the lift. So that 3 inches on each side might be OK.

 

[Scott Danforth]

you may also need permitting to have a lift in the river.

3" of clearance per side is almost perfect. remember, never come into the dock or lift faster than you want to hit it.

 

[Bondo]

you may also need permitting to have a lift in the river.

3" of clearance per side is almost perfect. remember, never come into the dock or lift faster than you want to hit it.

Ayuh,..... It took me awhile, but I finally designed my slip for controlled crash landings,....

'tween my riverhouses is a 9, 1/2' slip, concrete on both sides,...
Comin' in, or goin' out is Always cross current,... usually light, but sometime Ragin',....

I took plastic 55 gallon drums, 'n ripped 'em in half, lengthwise, 'n hang 'em on bungee cords along the sides of the concrete,....
On the outside corners, I cut only 1 end outa the white 1/2 drums,... the end left on the drum, sits on the corner of the concrete, tied loosely in-place,...
All said, 'n done, my 7' 8" beam has maybe 6" to 10" clearance, dependin' on water levels,...

Now, so long as the center beam is within the space 'tween the white drums, yer In the slip,...
How far off center determines the volume of the crash, though none so far have been at all LOUD,....

It's taken me since '02 to get My Love to drive the boat,....
Dockin' was Absolutely, Positively, Out of the question, til I did the plastic barrel thing,...
Last couple of summers, I've got Deb doin' controlled crash landin's, though she's still lackin' graceful shift control, 'n hittin' reverse cleanly,...

She tells me she ain't takin' us Out, til I move the houseboat, which sits a boat length out, squarely off the starboard aft corner,...
Maybe next summer,......

 

[jkust]

My thinking is that you will limit your next boat purchase if you don't get the 120 inch beam but it may not be a concern for you. Regarding the clearance, 3 inches on each side is just fine. Just get a set of double guide-ons for the entry and a single gide-on for the front. Keep in mind that the clearance is less with guide-ons installed. The guide ons use only your rub rail to assist with alignment and allow some forgiveness if you do come in too fast. With the correct set up, you can't do anything but come into the lift perfectly assuming you fight the current or wind and make it in. The guide ons help out a lot on a heavy cross wind day and you get one shot at getting lined up correctly or you hit the dock. Then get a motor stop so you stop in the exact spot every time. I then have the remote control on my boat key ring so the second the lower unit bumps the motor stop, I just hit the up button on the remote control to lift the boat.