Dinghy Lifts?

[Pseudomind]

Does any members of CSR have a lift which they had installed aftermarket?

I have to admit I have been looking at Sea Lift USA and I like their Cradle Lift.

I am not trying to do an endorsement here, just wanting to obtain information about different lifts and the size boat they are mounted on. Pictures would also be very nice, especially showing the dinghy in the stowed position and also while underway

Oh yes also if possible the total weight of you dinghy when stowed.

I know I am looking easily at 350 -400 pounds with what I have. Boss Boat all fiberglass 10" 4" 66" beam with a 25 HP Yamaha, and five gallon gas tank.

Thanks
:thumbsup:

 

[Pseudomind]

Well I have an answer, and it is better then being possiibly led on.

The information I received is that with my gas engines and the weight of the dinghy the system would probably not work as there is a good chance I would not be able to get on plane. :huh:

So now I guess I will have to consider some other future option regarding a dinghy.

 

[ChuckW]

Well that's dissapointing:smt013.. I like those units..:thumbsup:

 

[AKBASSKING]

What about just towing it?

 

[ChuckW]

What about just towing it?

On plane at 35 knots?

 

[ziekman@cox.net]

Well I have an answer, and it is better then being possiibly led on.

The information I received is that with my gas engines and the weight of the dinghy the system would probably not work as there is a good chance I would not be able to get on plane. :huh:

So now I guess I will have to consider some other future option regarding a dinghy.

Who told you that would be too much weight? Are you looking at the integrated platform lift, or only the cradle?

 

[ChuckW]

The site lists the cradle at 250#. Add up your dinghy, motor and gas weight to that you get about 650#. Strap 650# of sand bags on you swim platform and take her out for a spin.:wow:

 

[Pseudomind]

Who told you that would be too much weight? Are you looking at the integrated platform lift, or only the cradle?

I was looking at the cradle, and I received a call from a manufacture representative, who left their number, I called him back and he told me.

The cradle looked like it would fit under my swim platform, but what is the difference if I add the swim platform to the integrated lift? I have scratched my head, but I cannot figure any weight difference, only the on plane angle.

 

[PlayDate]

I was looking at the cradle, and I received a call from a manufacture representative, who left their number, I called him back and he told me.

The cradle looked like it would fit under my swim platform, but what is the difference if I add the swim platform to the integrated lift? I have scratched my head, but I cannot figure any weight difference, only the on plane angle.

I have a suggestion, just tell them to give you a few references with installations on your boat (to call or email). I'm sure that will make you feel better about it one way or another and you can find out what dinghy works best for the setup.

In regards to a platform versus a cradle.....the platform is just more weight...about another 100 lbs or so on top of the cradle's weight.

-John

 

[ziekman@cox.net]

I have a suggestion, just tell them to give you a few references with installations on your boat (to call or email). I'm sure that will make you feel better about it one way or another and you can find out what dinghy works best for the setup.

In regards to a platform versus a cradle.....the platform is just more weight...about another 100 lbs or so on top of the cradle's weight.

-John

That is a good suggestion. Are you speaking with Stephen? He is the owner, and the guy I spoke with when I ordered my platform lift. It's coming in the next few weeks. I know a guy with the same boat as mine, and he says his boat doesn't even know it's there. I believe you still could be asking for it to handle too much weight, but if you get references for same/same, then you should be OK.

 

[Carver370]

Honestly the cheapest alternative is to buy another dinghy that you can roll up and take with you or simply pull up on the platform when you travel.

12-20 Grand on the lift installed or spend 1500 on a smaller dinghy and motor to travel with.....

The next cheapest would be the sea weed lift. http://www.seaweedmarine.com/ and mount it to your current platform.

 

[blavid]

Hi,

I have a 2009 Sundancer 330 with a factory installed Sea Lift Platform. It has been flawless from day one, and we are so glad to have it. We have the twin gas v-drives (Merc 8.1 total over 740HP) so boat does not even know it's there.

We only do carry an Achilles 290 inflatable boat with air floor on the lift (~95 pounds) and a Yamaha 8HP 2 stroke (~50 pounds) so it is like carrying just an extra passenger though.

Just realize the sea lift platform is thru bolted with heavy duty hardware onto the transom of the boat; most likely the transom was not designed to support a whole lot of weight so be careful of you place on the platform.

 

[Pseudomind]

Honestly the cheapest alternative is to buy another dinghy that you can roll up and take with you or simply pull up on the platform when you travel.

12-20 Grand on the lift installed or spend 1500 on a smaller dinghy and motor to travel with.....

The next cheapest would be the sea weed lift. http://www.seaweedmarine.com/ and mount it to your current platform.

I am considering just doing the smaller roll up route, as to be honest with you my lady friend would not be much help if I towed the dinghy.

I like the seaweed idea, I wonder if it could be set up to easily remove when not in use? I would probably only carry a dinghy when and if one day I get the chance to take 4-6 weeks off and cruise down to the Keys.

 

[ziekman@cox.net]

Hi,

I have a 2009 Sundancer 330 with a factory installed Sea Lift Platform. It has been flawless from day one, and we are so glad to have it. We have the twin gas v-drives (Merc 8.1 total over 740HP) so boat does not even know it's there.

We only do carry an Achilles 290 inflatable boat with air floor on the lift (~95 pounds) and a Yamaha 8HP 2 stroke (~50 pounds) so it is like carrying just an extra passenger though.

Just realize the sea lift platform is thru bolted with heavy duty hardware onto the transom of the boat; most likely the transom was not designed to support a whole lot of weight so be careful of you place on the platform.

Blavid: I have a sea-lift on order for my '08 330, same boat as yours. Do you have a generator on board? Where in the engine compartment did they install the hydraulic pump for your sea-lift?

 

[Carver370]

I am considering just doing the smaller roll up route, as to be honest with you my lady friend would not be much help if I towed the dinghy.

I like the seaweed idea, I wonder if it could be set up to easily remove when not in use? I would probably only carry a dinghy when and if one day I get the chance to take 4-6 weeks off and cruise down to the Keys.

If you look a little further into the website you will see that depending on which unit you buy they have a pin on pin off system that only leaves a few mounting pads on your platform.

If you aren't using the lift all the time, any hydraulic unit is a waste of money and weight.

 

[blavid]

Ziekman : I do have a gas generator in the engine compartment. I need to check where the hydraulics for the platform are when I go down to the boat this weekend. I can try and take a picture to post of the interior installation.

It is a great platform to lounge on when the boat is backed up onto the beach and you can lower the lift almost a foot under water! We use our dinghy all the time to explore the shallows around the beaches where we pull up anchor.

 

[ziekman@cox.net]

Ziekman : I do have a gas generator in the engine compartment. I need to check where the hydraulics for the platform are when I go down to the boat this weekend. I can try and take a picture to post of the interior installation.

It is a great platform to lounge on when the boat is backed up onto the beach and you can lower the lift almost a foot under water! We use our dinghy all the time to explore the shallows around the beaches where we pull up anchor.

Thanks! I'd love a picture!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[blavid]

@ Ziekman :

Here are some pics from the interior engine compartment looking at the transom wall. You can see numerous heavy duty stainless washers and bolts on the transom wall that support the lift. The orange lines coming from the center of the transom going to the starboard aft corner are the hydraulic lines for the lift. The hydraulic pump is also located in the starboard aft corner behind the starboard gas tank.

 

[Hardliquor]

I actually have a Sea Lift cradle setup on my 2000 380DA with twin 7.4 horizons and my dinghy is a 10'4" Zodiac RIB with a 15 horse merc (2 stroke) with 3.5 gallon gas can. I have had 10 adults on board 1/2 tank of fuel, tons of coolers, shore power cords, grill, etc. I have never had an issue getting on plane. I am very pleased with the unit. Let me know if I can help in any other way.

 

[Pseudomind]

I actually have a Sea Lift cradle setup on my 2000 380DA with twin 7.4 horizons and my dinghy is a 10'4" Zodiac RIB with a 15 horse merc (2 stroke) with 3.5 gallon gas can. I have had 10 adults on board 1/2 tank of fuel, tons of coolers, shore power cords, grill, etc. I have never had an issue getting on plane. I am very pleased with the unit. Let me know if I can help in any other way.

Thanks for you reply, th einformation I posted was given to me by the folks at SeaLift over the phone. I had sent them an email with all of the information provided. I am guessing though that between your dinghy and my dinghy and motor there is probably 125 -150 pounds additional weight with what I have, compared to your set up. What I have now is around 475 pounds, plus SeaLift cradle at 250 pounds, Sea Ray suggests only 600 pounds on the swim platform. Even though the cradle is not on the swim platform it is still attached to the transom.

I am in no rush at the moment to change dinghy's but when I do I want to know what will work for my boat.

The Seaweed system looks interesting, but I am not sure if it is over $5,000.00 interesting...and yes I know it is much less then a lift system.

:thumbsup: