Will my boat fit on this lift?

[Thor]

My BIL just bought a house with a lift on a great lake, 10 minutes from our home. Dream come true! I slid my 242 in, but the ass end sticks out about 18". Currently, there are only two crummy bunks on the lift and the carpet is falling off. Anyone have any experience with boat lifts? If we extend the bunks, will that be enough? Will I need 4 bunks like I currently have on the trailer?

 

[Gym]

Lift capacity is more determined by weight. That being said you do have to take into account length & width. Whereas you are limited by the dock at the bow end your only option is to let the stern overhang. As long as your stern overhang doesn't impede any other boater you should be ok in that regard. Do the bunks extend far enough aft to support the engine area of your boat? I would be concerned if not. The lift I just aquired allows about 3 feet of bow and 2 feet of stern overhang but the boat is adequately supported. You would definately want to replace the bunks and carpet to protect your boat.

 

[tdonoughue]

Recall that the heavy part of the boat is in the aft, where the engines are. Might be a good idea to back into the slip, putting the heavy part of the boat on the bunks. Then if the light little bit stuck out even 2 feet I think you would be better off. Unless you can shift the lift to the aft of the boat (not likely, at least not easily, I would think).

Oh, and, of course I agree on the bunk coverage...

 

[msavold]

Here are a couple of pictures of our lift while it was under construction - two bunks. And then one with the boat on it. The end of the bunk is about 2/3rds of the plug hatch. The back lift is deliberately under the engines - the heaviest part of the boat.
One other suggestion: look for some manufacturer's plaque on the lift (the motors?) for the weight rating. Ours is 7,500 lbs (choices were 5k - not enough, 7.5k, and 10k - overkill). More than any overhang, that's what I'd be worried about...

 

[Thor]

Here are a couple of pictures of our lift while it was under construction - two bunks. And then one with the boat on it. The end of the bunk is about 2/3rds of the plug hatch. The back lift is deliberately under the engines - the heaviest part of the boat.
One other suggestion: look for some manufacturer's plaque on the lift (the motors?) for the weight rating. Ours is 7,500 lbs (choices were 5k - not enough, 7.5k, and 10k - overkill). More than any overhang, that's what I'd be worried about...

View attachment 37507 View attachment 37508 View attachment 37509

Very helpful, thanks. I am guessing two bunks is sufficient on the lift, maybe the trailer has 4 because it is bouncing down the road at 75. I think we could easily extend the bunks to support the area under the motors.
PS, that is an awesome lift, I have not seen that type before!

 

[Gym]

The other reason for the forward bunks on the trailer is to grab the keel to align the boat with the trailer. Not necessary on a lift.