Putting a sailboat on a dock with a lift.

[Count Monaco]

Hey it's me, Mr. Probably too Inexperienced to have a Sailboat (but bought one anyway)

I just leased a slip with a boat lift and I was too embarrassed to ask how to secure the boat on the lift out of fear that he'd tell me to take a hike. Any tips? Do's don'ts? I seen a YouTube video where the guy didn't tie down anything at all. Is that safe?

 

[moosehead]

Good on you for jumping in, and for admitting you're a bit over your head. If it feels wrong, it probably is, or if nothing else, ask first. Your dock mates can be some of the best sources of info in your area - and they'll be glad to help you. I've rarely seen sailboats on lifts unless we're talking about some higher end marinas, though others may suggest otherwise.

Tell us about your sailcraft and your boat lift. Post some photos here of both. Dimensions, weight, type of lift (bunks, straps, motorized, manual), type of hull and keel, other craft on your dock. The obvious questions should be asked first: is your slip and surrounding water deep enough for your sailcraft, is the lift able to handle your hull and weight, has the marina showed you how to use the slip and do they know what sailcraft you intend to stow there, how are you going to launch your craft to get it to the slip, is the rigging exposed to any overhead powerlines or other obstacles, etc, etc?

 

[Count Monaco]

Good on you for jumping in, and for admitting you're a bit over your head. If it feels wrong, it probably is, or if nothing else, ask first. Your dock mates can be some of the best sources of info in your area - and they'll be glad to help you. I've rarely seen sailboats on lifts unless we're talking about some higher end marinas, though others may suggest otherwise.

Tell us about your sailcraft and your boat lift. Post some photos here of both. Dimensions, weight, type of lift (bunks, straps, motorized, manual), type of hull and keel, other craft on your dock. The obvious questions should be asked first: is your slip and surrounding water deep enough for your sailcraft, is the lift able to handle your hull and weight, has the marina showed you how to use the slip and do they know what sailcraft you intend to stow there, how are you going to launch your craft to get it to the slip, is the rigging exposed to any overhead powerlines or other obstacles, etc, etc?

My sailboat is a 22" Tanzer, weighs 3,000 lbs and the motorized lift is rated for 7,000 lbs. The last guy had a 40ft sailboat that was 5,200 lbs.
It's not a marina, but someone's back yard and yes, it's VERY DEEP even in low tide, it's about 10 ft. No powerline, and there's a ramp about 3 blocks down and intend to motor it in.

here's a few pictures:

this website won't let me upload an picture for anything. Be right back...

 

[Count Monaco]

I don't have a picture of the boat lift, but it looks almost identical to this, plank and all.

 

[southkogs]

Howza' sailboat with a swing keel gonna' sit on that lift? Even if the keel makes it past the I-beam, those bunks don't look right to hold the boat up. Am I missing something?

 

[Scott Danforth]

looks like the boat has a shoal keel. however I myself have never witnessed a sailboat on a lift. in theory it could be made to work, however with that style lift, it will need to be deep to get the cradle to the bottom, then have the keel fit in the middle. however if you mis place it, you may damage the rudder and gear.

there should be tags along the rub rail marked "sling" from the manufacturer this is where you place the slings if you decide to lift the boat.

 

[Count Monaco]

looks like the boat has a shoal keel. however I myself have never witnessed a sailboat on a lift. in theory it could be made to work, however with that style lift, it will need to be deep to get the cradle to the bottom, then have the keel fit in the middle. however if you mis place it, you may damage the rudder and gear.

What's cool is that the rudder just pulls out. What's the difference between the bunks and the beams?

 

[moosehead]

It would be helpful to have a photo of your exact lift. As other stated, it will be tricky to berth her without fouling your keel and rudder on the beams (horizontal to the hull), and those parts of the cradle will have to obviously be below the keel when pulling into the berth. Meanwhile, you'll have to take it easy to center the keel with the bunks (horzontal to hull). Finally, the entire lift and bunks will need to be able to not only handle the weight properly, but also hold the craft stable under full load and taking into consideration wind and shifting (as you yourself sensed). That particular lift does look strong and provides potentially enough cable to drop the cradle to the bottom, the bunks also are set in a way to handle the most vertical load and perhaps will bow to crade your hull. Again, it's rare to see sailcraft in lifts for these reasons, but keep at it to get the proper answers.

 

[superbenk]

Is fouling the keel really a problem if it's a swing or retractable keel? He'd just pull the keel up and slide it in like any other v-hulled boat, right? Seems like a lot of the comments are around concerns over a fixed keel hull but I didn't see any mention of whether it was fixed keel or not. Perhaps the OP can shed some light on this?

 

[southkogs]

Is fouling the keel really a problem if it's a swing or retractable keel? He'd just pull the keel up and slide it in like any other v-hulled boat, right?

I've never seen a swing keel on a boat that size pull in flush with the boat (though I've seen some smaller one's that do). On the trailer whatever type of keel it is, it's in it's fixed position and and just long enough to MAYBE miss the beams on the lift in the picture.

Like Scott, I've never seen a sailboat on a lift like that.

 

[NSBCraig]

There are whole marinas around Jacksonville full of nothing but sailboats on lifts.

 

[sailor55330]

+1 to what all others have said. I've been a sailor all my life. Sailboats on a lift are kind of rare, When I have seen then, they are usually more of the daysailor type. I would respectfully challenge a 40ft boat that only weights 5200lbs. I had a 30ft Catalina that weight 4250 dry. Looking at the lift picture, it seems like the bunks are pretty close together and given your tanzer, you will have a fair amount of freeboard and top weight.

Just be careful and good luck

 

[pckeen]

Don't feel embarassed about talking to your neighbors. Check with the owner of the slip to see if he can help - let him know you are a newbie, and go from there. If you are seen trying to get a sailboat on a boat lift designed for some other vessel, your neighbors / landlord will work out your lack of experience pretty fast.

The only stupid question.....is the one that wasn't asked.

 

[Count Monaco]

"I ain't never seen no sailboat on no lift" -Captain Ron

Where ya at, Capt.?

All of you here are awesome. It's thanks to communities like this, that I am achieving my childhood dream of being a pirate.

 

[Count Monaco]

+1 to what all others have said. I've been a sailor all my life. Sailboats on a lift are kind of rare, When I have seen then, they are usually more of the daysailor type. I would respectfully challenge a 40ft boat that only weights 5200lbs. I had a 30ft Catalina that weight 4250 dry. Looking at the lift picture, it seems like the bunks are pretty close together and given your tanzer, you will have a fair amount of freeboard and top weight.

Just be careful and good luck

Your challenge is indeed correct. The previous sailboat was only 30ft. That was my mistake...

Now for some clarification about the keel: I don't know it's technical name, but I've been calling it a HALF-fixed HALF-retractable keel. The fixed part sticks out about two feet and extends another 2 feet.
While I was chatting with some guys at the local boat salvage who were just as confused as I, some old timer walked up from nowhere and called it "classic" and said he hadn't seen a keel like that in 20 years, lit up a hand rolled cigarette and walked away before I could ask him what it was... It was like something out of a movie, I wish I had recorded it.

 

[southkogs]

Cool ... I've learned something new!

Does the keel slide down or swing down?