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Author Topic:   DIY. Boat lift

Pdp posted 09-09-2013 10:40 AM ET (US)
Has any body built their own boat lift. Im hoping to build one for my 15 striper using an old wood swim raft I already have
swist posted 09-09-2013 12:32 PM ET (US)
I'm not sure I see how a wood swim raft turns into a boat lift.
swist posted 09-09-2013 12:32 PM ET (US)
I'm not sure I see how a wood swim raft turns into a boat lift.
Pdp posted 09-09-2013 01:28 PM ET (US)
I was hoping to do something like a drive on PWC lift
Tom W Clark posted 09-09-2013 01:57 PM ET (US)
I have a friend who, years ago, built a lift for his float plane in front of his house here in Seattle. Because he was (is) really cheap, he took a very basic and economic approach.
He used plastic barrels under his float that had a bleed valve on top. The barrels were connected to a large shop vac he had permanently installed in his dock shack by shore.
With PVC pip connected to the output (blowing) end of this shop vac, air was piped down to the end of his dock to the barrels under the float.
Switching on the shop vac, the barrels filled with air and the float would rise. Open the valves on top to bleed off the air and the barrels would settle back into the water.
It was clever, though painfully slow. Apparently it did not work all that well because before long the lift was replaced by a professionally manufactured float plane lift.
I guess if you can afford a waterfront home in Seattle, an amphibious Cessna float plane AND are extremely particular, maybe having something expensive that works well trumps saving a few bucks with a home made project.
Still, I wish I had photos of that contraption; it was great!
Pdp posted 09-09-2013 02:03 PM ET (US)
I too am quite cheap and that is why trying to figure out a way to do this
I was thinking if I mounted bunks or rollers on the swim raft , the boat could be winched on and pushed off.
I might need to add extra floats to the raft.
Pdp posted 09-09-2013 02:05 PM ET (US)
I too am quite cheap and that is why trying to figure out a way to do this
I was thinking if I mounted bunks or rollers on the swim raft , the boat could be winched on and pushed off.
I might need to add extra floats to the raft.
Tom W Clark posted 09-09-2013 02:16 PM ET (US)
Yes, that could work just fine if the load capacity and stability of the raft is adequate.
I remember a waterfront home owner in my neighborhood had a float for his Montauk. He simply removed the axle, springs and fenders from his Calkins trailer and bolted it to the deck of his raft.
Simple, effective.
The trailer did not, however, last may years in the saltwater environment.
Buckda posted 09-09-2013 02:35 PM ET (US)
Forum Member Where2 had at one time documented a similar setup that Tom Clark describes - in Florida.
You may try a search using his name for that information.
Dave
Buckda posted 09-09-2013 02:45 PM ET (US)
Forum Member Where2 had at one time documented a similar setup that Tom Clark describes - in Florida.
You may try a search using his name for that information.
Dave
Buckda posted 09-09-2013 02:47 PM ET (US)
Forum Member Where2 had at one time documented a similar setup that Tom Clark describes - in Florida.
You may try a search using his name for that information.
Dave
Buckda posted 09-09-2013 02:50 PM ET (US)
Forum Member Where2 had at one time documented a similar setup that Tom Clark describes - in Florida.
You may try a search using his name for that information.
Dave
Pdp posted 09-09-2013 02:59 PM ET (US)
I too am quite cheap and that is why trying to figure out a way to do this
I was thinking if I mounted bunks or rollers on the swim raft , the boat could be winched on and pushed off.
I might need to add extra floats to the raft.
Pdp posted 09-09-2013 03:00 PM ET (US)
I too am quite cheap and that is why trying to figure out a way to do this
I was thinking if I mounted bunks or rollers on the swim raft , the boat could be winched on and pushed off.
I might need to add extra floats to the raft.
Binkster posted 09-10-2013 09:16 AM ET (US)
Tom, your friend and my daughters ex-husband must not only be cheapskates but from your description, constructed the same float plane lift. It was kind of ingenious and I think his his still working but not being used as I noticed the rudder was missing from his antique floatplane. It shows that with some imagination and some hands on skill, out of the box creations can be built. I don't know why a swim raft could not be converted into a boat lift. I think a picture of the existing raft would help get some ideas going.
rich
Pdp posted 09-11-2013 01:53 AM ET (US)
The raft is at our summer home
It is approx 7 X 12 with foam filled tires for floatation. I could extend it or let the transom hang over the edge
My concerns are what sort of ramp or "V" to have where it gets on the raft

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Author	Topic: DIY. Boat lift
Pdp	posted 09-09-2013 10:40 AM ET (US) Has any body built their own boat lift. Im hoping to build one for my 15 striper using an old wood swim raft I already have
swist	posted 09-09-2013 12:32 PM ET (US) I'm not sure I see how a wood swim raft turns into a boat lift.
swist	posted 09-09-2013 12:32 PM ET (US) I'm not sure I see how a wood swim raft turns into a boat lift.
Pdp	posted 09-09-2013 01:28 PM ET (US) I was hoping to do something like a drive on PWC lift
Tom W Clark	posted 09-09-2013 01:57 PM ET (US) I have a friend who, years ago, built a lift for his float plane in front of his house here in Seattle. Because he was (is) really cheap, he took a very basic and economic approach. He used plastic barrels under his float that had a bleed valve on top. The barrels were connected to a large shop vac he had permanently installed in his dock shack by shore. With PVC pip connected to the output (blowing) end of this shop vac, air was piped down to the end of his dock to the barrels under the float. Switching on the shop vac, the barrels filled with air and the float would rise. Open the valves on top to bleed off the air and the barrels would settle back into the water. It was clever, though painfully slow. Apparently it did not work all that well because before long the lift was replaced by a professionally manufactured float plane lift. I guess if you can afford a waterfront home in Seattle, an amphibious Cessna float plane AND are extremely particular, maybe having something expensive that works well trumps saving a few bucks with a home made project. Still, I wish I had photos of that contraption; it was great!
Pdp	posted 09-09-2013 02:03 PM ET (US) I too am quite cheap and that is why trying to figure out a way to do this I was thinking if I mounted bunks or rollers on the swim raft , the boat could be winched on and pushed off. I might need to add extra floats to the raft.
Pdp	posted 09-09-2013 02:05 PM ET (US) I too am quite cheap and that is why trying to figure out a way to do this I was thinking if I mounted bunks or rollers on the swim raft , the boat could be winched on and pushed off. I might need to add extra floats to the raft.
Tom W Clark	posted 09-09-2013 02:16 PM ET (US) Yes, that could work just fine if the load capacity and stability of the raft is adequate. I remember a waterfront home owner in my neighborhood had a float for his Montauk. He simply removed the axle, springs and fenders from his Calkins trailer and bolted it to the deck of his raft. Simple, effective. The trailer did not, however, last may years in the saltwater environment.
Buckda	posted 09-09-2013 02:35 PM ET (US) Forum Member Where2 had at one time documented a similar setup that Tom Clark describes - in Florida. You may try a search using his name for that information. Dave
Buckda	posted 09-09-2013 02:45 PM ET (US) Forum Member Where2 had at one time documented a similar setup that Tom Clark describes - in Florida. You may try a search using his name for that information. Dave
Buckda	posted 09-09-2013 02:47 PM ET (US) Forum Member Where2 had at one time documented a similar setup that Tom Clark describes - in Florida. You may try a search using his name for that information. Dave
Buckda	posted 09-09-2013 02:50 PM ET (US) Forum Member Where2 had at one time documented a similar setup that Tom Clark describes - in Florida. You may try a search using his name for that information. Dave
Pdp	posted 09-09-2013 02:59 PM ET (US) I too am quite cheap and that is why trying to figure out a way to do this I was thinking if I mounted bunks or rollers on the swim raft , the boat could be winched on and pushed off. I might need to add extra floats to the raft.
Pdp	posted 09-09-2013 03:00 PM ET (US) I too am quite cheap and that is why trying to figure out a way to do this I was thinking if I mounted bunks or rollers on the swim raft , the boat could be winched on and pushed off. I might need to add extra floats to the raft.
Binkster	posted 09-10-2013 09:16 AM ET (US) Tom, your friend and my daughters ex-husband must not only be cheapskates but from your description, constructed the same float plane lift. It was kind of ingenious and I think his his still working but not being used as I noticed the rudder was missing from his antique floatplane. It shows that with some imagination and some hands on skill, out of the box creations can be built. I don't know why a swim raft could not be converted into a boat lift. I think a picture of the existing raft would help get some ideas going. rich
Pdp	posted 09-11-2013 01:53 AM ET (US) The raft is at our summer home It is approx 7 X 12 with foam filled tires for floatation. I could extend it or let the transom hang over the edge My concerns are what sort of ramp or "V" to have where it gets on the raft