Hydraulic Swim Platforms by Florida Bow Thruster

Pm'd

I'm all ears.

500 lb dinghy - no other options. What would you do?
 
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or

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Nice link.

Is that wench permanent, or can the SP be cleaned off of all gear when not in use?
 
Turtlesboat said:
John, FW tried to talk me out of a hydraulic platform... but I didn't listen. So I'm going to try and talk you out of one.
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So just what did you do, have any photos? :smt100

Like John I am interested in something, I just have not found it as my dinghy even if I remove the fuel tank is around 300+ maybe as high as 350 pounds, but I am still looking.

Thanks
 
I haven't done anything yet. But If I have to keep fixing this thing every year, I'm going to something else.
 
Turtlesboat said:
I haven't done anything yet. But If I have to keep fixing this thing every year, I'm going to something else.
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Fixing what your boat? I hope it is not something major, as to this? "I'm going to something else," a different make of boat or to a sedan bridge perhaps?
 
Pseudomind said:
Fixing what your boat? I hope it is not something major, as to this? "I'm going to something else," a different make of boat or to a sedan bridge perhaps?
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I think he means his TNT lift.

The newer lift systems are a lot different than the older TNT's. For instance, most Sea-Lifts I have seen installed only have 1 hydraulic ram on them in the center. A freedom lift only uses 2 and these both have arms/cradles that are completely removable if you are not using the tender.

I believe the older TNT's had 4-6 hydraulic rams and when one went bad, the lift always tilted to one side. I know a friend of mine with a 500 DA had to have 2 refurbished by TNT and it was over 2K to be done plus removal and installation.

From what I have seen, the Sea-Lift, Freedom Lift, GHS / Florida Bow Thruster Lifts have been pretty reliable.
 
Thanks,

I had completely overlooked the part about him having a TNT on his new boat. :smt021
 
The TNT cylinders can be rebuilt, the others have to be replaced, at least the ones I know of. So while there are fewer cylinders, the cost of each one is huge.
 
Hampton, I too am close to deciding on a hydraulic platform for my 340, what are your thoughts to date between SeaLift and FBT?

For me the price difference isn't going to sway my decision, FBT about $2k more. I've talked to both and each product has it's advantages. With SeaLift only one cylinder so never have the one side sagging if a cylinder starts to go south, FBT spreads the load out across the transom more but with two main cylinders. Would like to see the SeaLIft in person to see how well the chocks slide and fold down, on the FBT you have to slide the chocks out the end after launch to clear the platform for swimming and such, not a big deal but not as convenient. FBT told me their unit wieghted 400 - 450 lbs, said 400 but then hedged towards 450, so thinking it's 450 lbs, Sealift states 350 lbs. Weight is an issue with me since going on a 340 but my dink set up will be relatively light, 220 - 240 lbs.

I guess I'm looking for a deciding factor of which to go with.
 
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90 % sure about FBT, but only because my broker is good friends with the FBT people, and I'm going to count on him to take care of me over the years - that's why he's my broker - that, and he's a good guy. Our local dealer uses FBT almost exclusively, I'm pretty sure.
 
Now, I'm 98% Sea Lift. Met the guys. Saw the product. Like the idea.
 
Haha, that's funny, after about 20 emails and numerous phone conversations with Steve from SeaLift I'm 100%. Mine is ordered and scheduled to be installed early March before I launch for the season. I agree, nice design on the lifting mechanism with only one cylinder, lighter at only 350lbs, because of the rolling chocks smaller overall platform which has a more integrated look. I'm excited and can't wait for April 1st when I launch with it. I also took advantage of the spring special RIB but I upgraded it to the 310 Hypalon from West, Steve only charged me the extra it's going to cost him which I thought was fair. I was ready to pop for an AB or Carrib at 3-4k so nice savings there for me, the West being single hull only weighs 100lbs, a good way to start out keeping overall weight down since I'm in a 340.

Assuming you saw them at Miami, wish I could have gone but work is too busy right now. Good Luck, we'll have to chat after the dust has cleared and I'm back on the water using it.
 
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If you're open to alternatives, I'd highly recommend the option suggested by 'Deep in Depth'. I had the Tend'r Rollers System installed on my last boat and loved it. Very clean and professional and No cylinders to maintain. :grin:

Excuse the pics of the non Sea Ray, however here's the installation on the Jackie J IV.

First, pic of the boat on plane with the dingy resting on back.

InMotion.jpg


Shot of the swim platform showing the installed components.

RollerscloseupII.jpg


The stainless steel arms easily rotate off and if you're not using. I used to tie them to a cleat and throw them in the water if I was anchoring somewhere for a few days.

Another shot of the set-up:
RollersCloseup.jpg


My boat and another of the same model side by each.

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Mine had the Seaweed, while the other guy had the Weaver Davits (which couldn't support the same dingy set-up as mine). The heavy duty Tend'r Rollers (there's also a standard duty version) could support up to 1000 lbs. - so it really came down to what your swim platform could support.

And here are a series of a few shots with the dingy on the system, on the swimplatform.

DL11RearCloseup.jpg



DL11MountedRearView.jpg


The dingy in these pics was a 10'2" Caribe centre console with a 40HP Yamaha stroke (so around 760 lbs or so).

DL11Mounted.jpg


DL11CloseupSide.jpg



Maybe the price has changed since I had it installed, however my set-up was around $5k.

Paul
 
I'll second the recommendation on the Tend'r Rollers by Seaweed Marine. I had them on the previous boat and it was very easy to launch and retieve the dinghy. In fact it takes me longer to retrieve now with the hydraulic platform on my 460DA. The launch is fine but centering the dinghy on the platform is more involved than the Tend'r Rollers because they self-center. High quality units; manual crank or electric. They make excellent aluminum swim platforms as well that the roller system can attach to.
 
Good 2 Go said:
Haha, that's funny, after about 20 emails and numerous phone conversations with Steve from SeaLift I'm 100%. Mine is ordered and scheduled to be installed early March before I launch for the season. I agree, nice design on the lifting mechanism with only one cylinder, lighter at only 350lbs, because of the rolling chocks smaller overall platform which has a more integrated look. I'm excited and can't wait for April 1st when I launch with it. I also took advantage of the spring special RIB but I upgraded it to the 310 Hypalon from West, Steve only charged me the extra it's going to cost him which I thought was fair. I was ready to pop for an AB or Carrib at 3-4k so nice savings there for me, the West being single hull only weighs 100lbs, a good way to start out keeping overall weight down since I'm in a 340.

Assuming you saw them at Miami, wish I could have gone but work is too busy right now. Good Luck, we'll have to chat after the dust has cleared and I'm back on the water using it.
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Update?
 
Jackie J V said:
If you're open to alternatives, I'd highly recommend the option suggested by 'Deep in Depth'. I had the Tend'r Rollers System installed on my last boat and loved it. Very clean and professional and No cylinders to maintain. :grin:

The stainless steel arms easily rotate off and if you're not using. I used to tie them to a cleat and throw them in the water if I was anchoring somewhere for a few days.

Paul
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Now you have me eating popcorn:smt119 and I do not even like pop corn :grin:
 
Getting close, install scheduled for next Wednesday, will let you know how it goes. Picking up my new dink Saturday, decided on an Achilles instead of the WM special and took the $1k price break. Wasn't impressed with the WM dinks, the Achilles is a nice boat, got the double hull with the waterproof compartment up front. I should be floating again by April 1st and trying everything out.

Congratulations on the new boat, that is awesome.
 
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