New Hydraulics for Swim Platform

Cherman

Cherman

Member
Aug 15, 2004
183
Oriental, North Carolina
Boat Info
1999 480 DB (SOLD)
Engines
Cat 3196's
Unfortunately it looks like it's time to replace the hydraulic swim platform on our boat. Some of the cylinders are starting to leak and the aluminum square stock is pitted like the Moon. I have been nursing it for 2 seasons now. It looked bad when we purchased her and offered our price accordingly. Previous owner didn't properly maintain it.

It is the infamous TNT Goliath lift. No longer made, Parts are not available, and to repair or replace the 6 hydraulic cylinders and what ever breaks in disassembly, is almost the cost of new mechanisms. I would use our existing platform.
So what manufacturer would you go with? I have found about 6-7 different manufacturers out there. Nautical Structures, TNT, GHS, Sea-Lift, Poseidon and others. Although price is a concern, it's not the only reason to pick one over another. Keep in mind, I won't be taking the boat to them. The new hydraulics will be installed here in MD being the boat is already on the hard and the swim platform keeps ending up almost all the way lowered down in a couple days. Not sure who I am going to have/help install it. Haven't got that far yet. I do have a fiberglass guy for the transom work.

And a early Happy Thanksgiving to all.
 
Chris,

Florida Bowthrusters just installed a GHS lift on my boat last week and did a spectacular job of removing my old platform, patching the 18 bolt holes in my transom from the old platform, reinforcing my transom to support the new lift, and installing the new arms and platform. They have about five two-man teams that travel from FL to all over the Atlantic Coast. Before my install, the crew of Scott and Henry completed an install in NC during a blizzard and temps in the teens. They finished that job early and then drove from NC to NJ and began prepping my boat last Monday, beginning by shoveling a snowplow's pile of snow from the rear of my boat then building a heated tent surrounding my entire transom. After completing my install Thursday afternoon, they did a service call in North NJ, then another weekend install in Fall River Mass. They do 2-3 weeks on the road, then a week off. Top notch. I know many others who use FBT and never heard a complaint.

Before and after pics

IMG_3849.jpg
IMG_3900.jpg
 
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Chris, I don't know anything about TNT Lift as a company but their design seems to keep the platform closer to the transom while the lift is going down. The GHS design as it lowers the platform moves the platform a good 18-24 inches away from the transom when fully lowered. There are pros and cons to both I think.
 
Can these lifts support the weight of a modern jet ski? I think that's around 800lbs?
 
I think you could get away with a seadoo spark 500lbs but not anything bigger. From what I understand it severely affects the running of the boat even if you have the capacity.


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**UPDATE**
Somebody at the yacht yard I'm on the hard at said they have a guy (heard that before) that he says can rebuild what I have at a fraction of the cost of replacement. He is starting work on Monday/Tuesday next week. First is to disassemble and examine/estimate the repair.
I will let you know the outcome.
If I replace the assembly less the platform which I will reuse. I am going with a fabricator named SEA FAB LLC. It's a single cylinder lift design which will omit the crooked raising problem. Steve, the owner, had some good insight as to why he prefers his design. Yeah, I know he's the owner and will push his product but, I didn't get that impression from him.
And if the cost is too high to repair, I didn't loose much time or money since the old had to be removed anyways.

Sorry for the delay on responding to the other posts. I accidentally had the notifications turned off.
 
JamesT, I agree with what you said about the distance away from the transom. Iv'e heard good things about FL Bow Thrusters.

Blkbird, Never had a jet ski on mine. I have seen 3 seaters on them but don't know what lift system is on their boats.
 
**UPDATE **
Well today the hydraulic guy said he can repair the cylinders and the pitted square stock. (only the 2 real bad ones each side that can be removed. Not the main outer square that is bolted to the transom)
It looks like less than 3K with a warranty on the cylinders.
Now I'm not sure if I have what they call the Goliath system as TNT had said. There isn't 3 cylinders each side, only one real long one each side. I will let you know what happens. If this works, it beats spending 16K on a new assembly
 
Chris,

Now you have me curious.....can you shoot a picture of the lifting mechanism? Also, TNT puts a label on the mounting near the lift pump reservoir in the ER. It you can shoot a picture of that as well that would help identify it. Rebuilding the cylinders is not a big deal....maybe a few hours per cylinder. The hard part is finding the right seals for older models. Rarely do the cylinders go bad internally. Usually the seal around the ram starts to weep fluid. If you don't want to load the pictures on CSR just email them to me. john@restorationmarine.com
 
John, Your correct on the cylinders. Of the 3K estimate, Rounded out it's 1/3 each for cylinder rebuild, square stock rebuild and labor. I will be down to boat later this week and get some pics. There is a label on the reservoir but it only says TNT lifts. No model or number.
 
Newbie here... I just called TNT, Sealift, Florida Bow Thrusters and an installed a hydraulic swim platform for my 2001 460DA is between $29k (FBT) to $35k (Sealift)... For that money I rather buy an open fisherman to use as a tender. Anyone here get better pricing on these recently? Is the best economic option the Hurley H30? Thanks!
 
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