Anyone Keep their M on a lift?

[Compromise]

I have a possibility of getting a slip with a lift. Gotta LUv it, no bottom job required
It's rated for 7000lbs, so no issues there. My question is how far apart would the boards or runners need to be to accomadate the M hull?
Thanks in advance

[Dimitri-2000X-Tampa]

Lifts are great, I have my X boat on one but you do want to be careful with the rigging when driving it in or out. I have my cradle set up very close to the dock side of the lift to make it easy to get on and off.

I have a 10,000# prolift and I think the original recommendation was for the bunks to be 3 feet apart. But this is typically for big wide power boats with a deep V. I asked the installer to spread it out to 4 feet and he was very reluctant saying I might hit the hull on the cradle when the lift comes up. But the X boat hull is quite flat so it turned out to be the perfect width...and as a bonus, the internal stringers on the X are about 4 feet apart too so that means the lift bunks are supporting the hull right under the stringers which gives me even more peace of mind.

Since the M has a bit more deadrise in the hull, perhaps 4 feet is too wide...or perhaps not. You probably should test it out before letting the installer leave. My concern is that as we get a lot of big winds down here and the X (or M) has so much windage, I wanted the base to be as wide as possible for more stability. Let me tell ya, that boat swings around a lot more than my neighbors' heavy power boats too. So I typically tie the cradle to the pilings and pull it very tight to limit the amount of swing. Like right now as Gustav is passing by safely away from us but still giving us 30mph gusts. Good luck to our North Gulf coast neighbors tonight and tomorrow. Really a bummer getting hit again just 3 years after Katrina.

[Compromise]

Thanks Dimitri.
Another question, how deep do you submerge the cradle for docking/undocking? Or is it already preset.


We're watching the storm too. The boat is actually in east Texas. We're in the midst of a relocation to Florida. Hopefully I can get her down here and on the lift mid September.

[Dimitri-2000X-Tampa]

Since the Mac is such a shallow draft boat, you really don't need to submerge it much, maybe 18 inches minimum. I have an aluminum platform at the stern of the boat lift (used for boarding when the boat it high on the lift and you can't board from the side any more). With that, it is easy to tell the depth. If the tide is going out when I depart and I plan to return at a lower tide, then I submerge it deeper cause I like to drive it right on when I return. One thing that I seem to forget to do about 1 out of every 4 docks is to retract the CB fully right before hitting the lift cradle, you need that CB down until the very last seconds for proper tracking otherwise you can get hit by a side wind. Since I'm moving so slowly though, it doesn't hurt the CB since it is mostly up already. This part would probably be much more risky with an M boat since the dagger won't kick up. Also, if the tide is very low then the shore side of the cradle tends to dig into the dirt. You have to be careful about that cause if you don't stop the lift motor, it can unwind the cables and they will fall off their guides.

[Loefflerh]

Compromise, I just went down to my lift and took the measurements off of mine, and I think that is the best setup for the M:
Bunk width forward: 32 inches
Aft: 35 inches
And that is measured outside to outside with the bunks tilted about 10 degrees (max I could do) toward the inside. Some bunks have the top cut at an angle, mine don't - they are square.
Guide posts: forward ones 83 inches, center to center; rear 95 inches. Just drive the boat very slowly onto the lift, till it comes to a stop - it kind of wedges in.
I am sure you will love your lift - I do. If you need pictures, let me know.
Hans

[LOUIS B HOLUB]

Hi Brian,
I sent you a PM.

My "X" was kept on a lift by the former owner for years, and the bottom retained the shine. You're fortunate finding a lift for your new M -- and not having to worry about bottom paint ad-nauseum.

Happy Sailing to you guys with the new M

[Dimitri-2000X-Tampa]

I don't think I would like my guide posts in so tight. I like having a couple inches of space there otherwise the rub rail keeps squeaking on the guideposts everytime the thing moves a bit. Kinda grinds on ya

[PeteC]

Dmitri (and others),

What is the size of your bunk boards (approximate): Length x Width x Height?

FYI. My current lift has bunks that match the trailer bunk setup. I am having to replace the cradle (rusted out) with an aluminum one. I plan to replace the bunks with lengthwise bunks.

Thanks,

Pete

[Loefflerh]

I don't think I would like my guide posts in so tight. I like having a couple inches of space there otherwise the rub rail keeps squeaking on the guideposts everytime the thing moves a bit. Kinda grinds on ya

I disagree, Dimitri: it only squeks a little bit when raising the boat while it is settling down, thereafter no matter what you do ( you can dance on the boat ) not a single sound.
I know what your concern is, did the same thing for 10 years with my x - kept an inch or more of clearance between the boat and the guideposts to avoid squeks and possible rub-marks. But then you you have to stop and keep the boat manually from moving fore -aft and right - left while raising; makes it so much easier now with the guide posts set correctly !
My bunks are square 2.5x8.5x140 inches.
Hans

[Brian]

We use a 6000# Galvalift (floating lift). Much easier than bottom paint.

[Compromise]

Compromise, I just went down to my lift and took the measurements off of mine, and I think that is the best setup for the M:
Bunk width forward: 32 inches
Aft: 35 inches
And that is measured outside to outside with the bunks tilted about 10 degrees (max I could do) toward the inside. Some bunks have the top cut at an angle, mine don't - they are square.
Guide posts: forward ones 83 inches, center to center; rear 95 inches. Just drive the boat very slowly onto the lift, till it comes to a stop - it kind of wedges in.
I am sure you will love your lift - I do. If you need pictures, let me know.
Hans

Thanks Hans.
Sure I'd love to see pictures. It will be the weekend before I can go out and measure everything. I'll at least have a good idea of what I need.
Brian