Boat house lift

[msuws]

 

My parents just moved into Tellico Village and this is what they have to work with for their 2014 Prostar.

 

Has anyone made alterations to a larger boat lift to accommodate a ski boat? Looking for ideas for bunks and getting in and out of the boat without having to go for a swim.

 

Also, are there any Prostar owners that have played with position of bunks? In the past we have set up wide at the stern and narrow at the bow, but don't love the idea of having the bunks overlap any of the chines.

 

Please post your ideas and pictures! Thanks!

 

[GaryJanzig]

The weight of the boat needs to be on the stringers. Measure the bunks on your trailer as your starting point. The majority of the weight of your boat should not be on any spot narrower than the engine compartment/bilge. You may have to get a different type of bracket to hold the bunks. You should be able to modify the cradle to match the trailer.

 

 

 

[KRoundy]

I only have experience with hydraulic systems, but have to ask: Is that setup rated for the weight of a Prostar?

[Rednucleus]

@KRoundy voices my concern. What has this lift supported in the past? Looks pretty flimsy for a DD tug.

[Bruce_Butterfield]

Ug. Those setups leave alot to be desired. I highly recommend an aluminum cradle from boatcradles.com/ They have multiple sizes that bolt together and all the auxiliary hardware you will need as well. Shipping is surprisingly reasonable.

 

You can get the cradle in widths of 8', 8'6" and 9'. Great company and very helpful.

[JackQ]

Looks like s dozzie boat lift. I had my 196 Nautique on that lift (in salt water to boot) for a decade without issues. The owner (Lewis Fields) is an active competitive skier and his wife is a Senior Driver. If you question contact them at:

 

https://doozieboatlifts.com/

[gcam4]

Looks quite similar to a Doozie. Ours doesn't have the pulleys on the beams though and our cross beams are welded on, not bolted. It's been installed since 1995 with only minor maintenance. I would send some pictures to Doozie as @JackQ recommended and see what they have to say. Worst case scenario is you buy some parts to retrofit what you have.

[Eljaybee]

I have a 2014 and Used my trailer as my guide. I positioned the bunks on my lift at 59.25” apart (measured inside to inside the bunks) and they are 13” above the cradle. Hope this is helpful.

[Edmund]

I second what @Bruce_Butterfield recommended. I am very pleased with my boatcradles.com lift.

[RAWSki]

@Bruce_Butterfield or @Edmund any insight on how much water is needed for the Aluminum Boat Cradle to allow a boat to float on and off easily?

[Bruce_Butterfield]

@RAWSki The cradle is a V shape slightly shallower in the front. Mine measures 30" from waterline to bottom of V at the front and about 36" in the back. This is with several inches to allow a free float with the boat loaded.

[Edmund]

@RAWSki I have not measured, but the dimensions @Bruce_Butterfield provided were close to what I was going to guess.

[aupatking]

Anyone have any good photos of their lift setup, ie. mounting for the lift motor, mounts for the pole/pipe etc. for a Ski Nautique using the lifting rings?

[LeonL]

What's the lift motor and gearing look like?

[vtmecheng]

The cables and I-beams look plenty strong. You really don't need the pulley setup for something like a Prostar. If I had to guess, that lift was used for a boat that is larger than a Prostar. I would check the motor, grease the gears, check over the cable or replace it, replace the bunks, position them where your trailer bunks are, put your choice of bunk cover on there for your gel coat, add a stop, and load it up. But that's just me.

[vtjc]

This is a prior thread discussing lift bunk setup for a Prostar: https://www.ballofspray.com/forum#/discussion/21569/bunk-spacing-for-17-prostar/p1