Catwalk for boat lift

[mjfink]

I have a boat lift in FL that's death defying to get on and off the boat. I'd like to put a catwalk along one (or both) sides, and would love some suggestions as to the best way (or company) to go to get this done.

Below are some pics of the lift/boat setup. I'd need something pretty long (20'?) to go along one side of the lift and get all the way out to the dock.

 

[jeeperman]

Re: Catwalk for boat lift

I am thinking extruded aluminum bleacher plank(s).
Or maybe an aluminum H-beam with a 2x10 or 12 bolted flat on top to walk on.

Contact the lift installers. Your not the first customer wanting such a thing, I bet.

 

[Bondo]

Re: Catwalk for boat lift

Ayuh,.... So just how Handy are ya,..??..

I can see where ya might have the room for a 2x6 runnin' down each side, just outside the guide tubes....
Maybe 2 side by side, where there's clearance...
2, 10'ers 'll get ya 20'....

Mount bracketry off the cross bars...
Brackets could be built outa gal. box tubin'...

 

[Fireman431]

Re: Catwalk for boat lift

Also consider 3" thick walk boards that they use to make walk panel roofing out of for Florida rooms. Sealed foam core with aluminum skin. light, strong, cheap. 10' lengths x 24" wide.

 

[mjfink]

Re: Catwalk for boat lift

Do you guys think that alum is the only material I should consider? What about galv steel or something like that? I was also thinking about using a few 4X4s to build a base (for example, take 2 or 3 16' 4xs, connect them to together using lags (and lots of overlap) and then build on top of that (as suggested, with a 2X10 or something like that to get me a nice walking area).

Something like this:
XXXX____V_V_V_________
__________________XXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
XXXX_______________________________
_______V___V___V__XXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

With the "V"s roughly showing the location of a carriage bolt and nut driven through all 4 boards). And then, of course, a 2X10 that would overlap all of that. Be heavy as sin, which could rule it out, although, in the water, it would be pretty neutral, so I could just use that to help me position it. Maybe I could do the same thing using 2X4s (turned on their side so the 4" side is facing up/down).

I'm just having a lot of trouble wrapping my head around a 1,000-1,500 dollar aluminum plank. That seems even more dear than most "marine grade" items.

 

[Fireman431]

Re: Catwalk for boat lift

The premade, pre sized walkboards are only $100 or so apiece. Through bolt to the structure and you're done, unless you want to add carpet to the top...which I would recommend

 

[jeeperman]

Re: Catwalk for boat lift

I do not know about $100 24" x 20 foot walkboards mentioned by Mr. Fireman..................
But if you visit a "real lumberyard" you will find treated lumber that is 20 feet and 24 feet long to work with.
Then you do not have to mess around with making up what you mentioned above.
A 2x10x20' bolted to each side of that piling with just about anything on top as a walk-on surface might work too.

 

[mjfink]

Re: Catwalk for boat lift

Unfortunately, I'm not allowed to touch the piling, anything I do has to be on the lift itself (DEP regulations).

But, the info about 20 and 24FT lumber is helpful! I'm going to have an installer out to look at it on Friday and I'll report back, but I'm guessing he's going to want 1-2K to put an aluminum walkboard on there. I might wind up paying it, but that really seems like a lot, especially if a few long 2X4 or 2X6's is all I really need (along with some HW to attach it to the lift).

I do not know about $100 24" x 20 foot walkboards mentioned by Mr. Fireman..................
But if you visit a "real lumberyard" you will find treated lumber that is 20 feet and 24 feet long to work with.
Then you do not have to mess around with making up what you mentioned above.
A 2x10x20' bolted to each side of that piling with just about anything on top as a walk-on surface might work too.

 

[jeeperman]

Re: Catwalk for boat lift

Unfortunately, I'm not allowed to touch the piling, anything I do has to be on the lift itself (DEP regulations).

But, the info about 20 and 24FT lumber is helpful! I'm going to have an installer out to look at it on Friday and I'll report back, but I'm guessing he's going to want 1-2K to put an aluminum walkboard on there. I might wind up paying it, but that really seems like a lot, especially if a few long 2X4 or 2X6's is all I really need (along with some HW to attach it to the lift).

I was talking about the lift piling with the lift motor on it (has a Alum-a-vator box.
Not the dockside pilings.
You can ad to that, right ?

 

[mjfink]

Re: Catwalk for boat lift

Unfortunately, no. Those pilings are regulated by DEP, they can ONLY have a boat lift on them, nothing can be attached to them except for a lift and lift motor.

I know.. It's insane.

I was talking about the lift piling with the lift motor on it (has a Alum-a-vator box.
Not the dockside pilings.
You can ad to that, right ?

 

[Fishing Dude too]

Re: Catwalk for boat lift

For the right money can do it but would make it 2x8 raised to level that could get on boat to outboard of vert guide post. More than likely steel braces, welded to I beams.