50/52 Sedan Bridge Hydraulic Lift

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rmazone

New Member
Dec 25, 2006
2
50/ 52 Sedan Bridge hydraulic lift.
Has anyone on this forum expirenced problems with a factory installed extended platform. I'm considering trading up to a 52 w/the extension but the platform seems to ride very low in the water when on plane. Looks like it may effect boat's performance and also appears that there's a lot of pressure on the platform.
 
rmazone said:
50/ 52 Sedan Bridge hydraulic lift.
Has anyone on this forum expirenced problems with an extended platform.
Click to expand...

I have a TNT platform on my Express Cruiser that I installed myself. Self installation is not for the faint hearted. Drilling 16 holes below the waterline in your transom would make most people cringe. The most important aspect is the strength of your transom.

The fiberglass varies in thickness which may require reinforcement (from backing plates to stringer bars) especially if you are planning on using it for a jet ski or planning ocean travel (following seas can place tremendous pressure on an extended platform).


That said, it is one of the best (and coolest) investments I have made. It is the best way to get people (and dogs) in and out of the water.

It has been on the boat for 4 seasons without a single issue. TNT can give you more insight especially since they have more installed lifts than anyone else.

-John
 
Sea Ray uses the GHS Lift installed by Florida Bow Thusters and we have one on our boat and love it. It has taken us to the "next level" as far as tenders are concerned. Gone are the days of Weaver davits, which we have had on our last four boats. Also gone are lifting outboards and hauling gas & two-stoke oil. We logged over 75 hours on our digny this year (with 200+ on the big boat logged). The lift system has been trouble free for us. We enjoy the ease of the wireless remote key fob for launches and retrievals of our 12'NAUTICA RIB. Now, we have heard of problems with older generation TNT lifts whereas owners carry spare parts... hydrau. lines, bailing wire, and even a cum-along aboard. We have never had any problems with ours. We do Not let people get lifted up on it and if you read the owners manual it is clear as to proper "load-limits". Go for it and Enjoy!
 
I certainly wouldn't knock GHS (Poseidon) lifts without having first hand knowledge. The fact is Sea Ray has used a lot of folks to install lifts for them.

I believe boat owners should make up their own minds because they are stuck with the results. The advantage I have is that I installed mine so I know probably a little bit more than someone who paid someone else to install it.

The important details are what they will be used for, transom access and how strong the transom is. Why I chose TNT Lifts is that they are a manufacturer who also does installations. This is from their site:

About TNT Lift Systems

TNT Lift Systems is the producer of the highest quality (316L Stainless Steel) Hydraulic Tender/PWC Transom Lifts available. In our state of the art facilities (Fort Lauderdale 25,000 sq ft and soon to open Tennessee 40,000 sq ft ) we produce the best of the best. This is illustrated by the list of builder's who utilize our products (Lazzara, Hinckley, Alden, Offshore, Donzi, Doral, Grand Banks/East Bay, Cruisers and Silverton). We have well over 47 styles of lifts to fit the most complicated transom. Our highly skilled engineering team will develop and design a lift that will flow and compliment the design of your vessel. There are well over 6000 TNT Lifts in use today. We ship and install worldwide.


Florida Power Thrusters has an excellent reputation for installation. I'm sure they do a great job.


Just to be clear, my previous post didn't say anything about lifting people (or dogs) out of the water. With the platform lowered, it is far easier for people to swim up, stand on the platform and enter the boat than using a ladder. The weight is not the issue (most people on my boat don't weigh 800 pounds). The issue is that the hydraulic pressure could crush a limb if it were to come between the platform and the stern as the platform was raised.

-John
 
Almost every transom lift in our area has problems from time to time. Almost all the problems are related to salt water and marine growth, so if you are in a freshwater location you may not have as many issues.

The problems as they affect the lift are very dissimilar metals....stainless steel pins, bronze bushings and aluminum frames....no provision for lubrication, and a very short life for the small hydraulic hoses.

If you do not have a lift and are comtemplating adding one, call Sea Ray customer service and discuss it with them. Not all boats have a transom design strong enough to support the lift without damaging the transom. They can look up the build specifics on your hull number and advise you acordingly. I have seen more than one transom literally peeled off the boat by a PWC on a poorly installed/supported hydraulic lift. A good fiberglass guy can add the needed supporting structure, but getting access to where he needs to add support can be difficult and expensive if components and systems have to be relocated.

Also, go ahead and measure the external braded stainless steel hoses and get a spare set made up at a local parts hose, industrial supplier, etc. to keep on the boat. If you lose a hose while away from the dock, the trip home is going to be a long one with one end of the transom in the down position.
 
rmazone said:
50/ 52 Sedan Bridge hydraulic lift.
Has anyone on this forum expirenced problems with a factory installed extended platform. I'm considering trading up to a 52 w/the extension but the platform seems to ride very low in the water when on plane. Looks like it may effect boat's performance and also appears that there's a lot of pressure on the platform.
Click to expand...

Ok maybe I don't understand everything you guys write, but I think nobody gives an answer on the problem that rmazone mentioned....

He says his platform ride very low in the water when on plane.
No technical problem, but I think a weight problem.
I think a 52 on plane is always low and heavy on the tail, but whit a hydraulic platform you can have a very big problem.

I don't have a solution for this, otherwise than take the weight out.

Peter
 
Not sure how this site works..but it would appear he edited/added a couple of sentences to his message today. I copied his original post completely on a previous reply.

I would agree with your comments and he should give Sea Ray a call to get their opinion.

-John
 
Thank you all for your quotes. I did indeed edit the post today... 12/26 when I realized I didn't make myself clear. Test riding the boat I'm thinking about trading up to I noticed that the extinsion is so long that it rides rather deep on plane. The test boat was not carrying a dinghy. I posted this question in hopes of hearing from an owner of a 50 or 52 who has the extinsion and see if my concerns are justified. Since it's a Seaq Ray option I'd rather hear from an owner. Once again thank you all, and I'm looking forward to all opinions.
 
I have a 48' DB which is basically the same hull as the 50/52 DB (they just measure mine to the transom and not to the end of the swim platform). I have the TNT lift and carry a 700 pound or so Zodiac jet boat on the thing and it does not sit low in the water. However, I do know that the 50/52 DB has a built in platform and the TNT lift was added on that so that total boat platform distance off the transom is 2-3 feet or so out there more than mine which might place in low in the water on plane. I think (i.e. I know) that the TNT platform addition to the 50/52 DB was an afterthought because Sea Ray caught a lot of grief over the permanent molded in platform with the hydraulic crane in the fishbox setup.... You may be seeing a problem with adding a 3-4' extension on an already 2-3' extension that was molded in the hull...

Been out for a while with work... so I have not posted much lately...
 
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