seabrooktx
Jet Boat Addict
- Messages
- 30
- Reaction score
- 37
- Points
- 92
- Boat Make
- Yamaha
- Year
- 2019
- Boat Model
- 242 Limited S E-Series
- Boat Length
- 24
After hanging my 2011 242LS in a slip for a couple of years at a Marina, I really didn't like the angles or distance between the straps. The slip is designed for a larger boat, so the spacing between beams forward to aft is 14ft. To make it work with the normal lift straps, we had to tie a rope between the two straps to bring it in and secure it, so it didn't so look susceptible to slipping off the front. When we bought the 2019 242LE, we decided it would be best to build and install a cradle. Because of the uniqueness of the slip spacing (width and length), everything had to be customized.
Below are some photos and a short BOM, all sourced from various suppliers. After doing the beam bending calculations and looking at the load rating of all the materials, the setup appears to have a ~12k lb WLL rating with a 2 - 3X safety factor. Definitely overkill. Since it is in Saltwater, everything is either 6160-T6 Aluminum or Stainless.
- 8" Wideflange Aluminum I-Beam - Custom cut to 10' 6"
- 10" HD Extruded Bunks - 16'
- 6' Stainless Slings with 90Deg thimbled eyes
- (4) 7" 4x5 Blocks of Aluminum
- (4) Extruded 8" Beam Lifting Bales
- (4) 4' Pully's
- (4) Guide Posts for 8" I Beam
- Misc Stainless Hardware and Bolting
Since the distance between the bunks is so wide to accommodate the boat sitting just outboard of the intakes, below is how the spacing was set:
- Distance between Bunk Centers - 45" - This is perfect spacing to keep the bunks just outboard of the Intakes and just outside of the forward chime
- Had to use the 10" Bunks + Raise them 4" with blocks. This gave me about 2.5" clearance at the bow from the beam and approx 4" at the stern.
The only issue with this setup is that it loads the center of the bunks (longitudinally) due to the hull shape. The back of the boat is lifted off about an 1/8" for about 3ft. Might make an adjustment to bring the fronts in a little closer to still miss the chime, but push the front up more and load more evenly. There is no buckling or sagging from the bottom of the bunks, so really no structural concerns as it is.
Did the install myself with the help of a friend and my 10yr old son. Pretty happy with the results so far, hope the setup holds up to the saltwater and I did all my load calculations correctly!?
Material Staging in the Backyard
Post Assembly
Boat Installed
Below are some photos and a short BOM, all sourced from various suppliers. After doing the beam bending calculations and looking at the load rating of all the materials, the setup appears to have a ~12k lb WLL rating with a 2 - 3X safety factor. Definitely overkill. Since it is in Saltwater, everything is either 6160-T6 Aluminum or Stainless.
- 8" Wideflange Aluminum I-Beam - Custom cut to 10' 6"
- 10" HD Extruded Bunks - 16'
- 6' Stainless Slings with 90Deg thimbled eyes
- (4) 7" 4x5 Blocks of Aluminum
- (4) Extruded 8" Beam Lifting Bales
- (4) 4' Pully's
- (4) Guide Posts for 8" I Beam
- Misc Stainless Hardware and Bolting
Since the distance between the bunks is so wide to accommodate the boat sitting just outboard of the intakes, below is how the spacing was set:
- Distance between Bunk Centers - 45" - This is perfect spacing to keep the bunks just outboard of the Intakes and just outside of the forward chime
- Had to use the 10" Bunks + Raise them 4" with blocks. This gave me about 2.5" clearance at the bow from the beam and approx 4" at the stern.
The only issue with this setup is that it loads the center of the bunks (longitudinally) due to the hull shape. The back of the boat is lifted off about an 1/8" for about 3ft. Might make an adjustment to bring the fronts in a little closer to still miss the chime, but push the front up more and load more evenly. There is no buckling or sagging from the bottom of the bunks, so really no structural concerns as it is.
Did the install myself with the help of a friend and my 10yr old son. Pretty happy with the results so far, hope the setup holds up to the saltwater and I did all my load calculations correctly!?
Material Staging in the Backyard
Post Assembly
Boat Installed