DIY Boat Lift

[sybaris2]

Anyone assemble and put in their lift by themselves?<br /><br />Mine is being delivered today, unassembled. Couldn't see paying someone to put together a man sized erector set so I'll do it myself. That shouldn't be a problem. What may be a problem is getting it in position. I have a 3ft seawall along my shoreline. It's only about 6" at the wall with a low grade on out so I'm thinking that maybe I could put together the base and it still not be too heavy for me and another guy to put it in place and set the legs then put the rest together.<br /><br />Any tips much appreciated.

 

[Gone]

Re: DIY Boat Lift

Follow the instructions especially left/right piece locations and hardware to be used as well as direction the hdwe goes in. Look over the illustrations very well. A small mistake early can make for a big loss of time later when you have to unassemble and do over.<br />With patience and attention to the instructions there's no reason why most handymen can't put these together. I have it down to 5 hours. Expect 8-10 for the first time.<br /><br />Two people is a little light, you need four. Build it on the shore and ease one end in at a time. You can maneuver it if the bottom isn't mucky or use a row boat to float it once it's in the water. 6 people can carry it.

 

[sybaris2]

Re: DIY Boat Lift

Put it together over the weekend, pretty easy. <br />There is an issue with the variance in lake bed grade front to back on the lift though. With the original extension legs I don't think it would have leveled. Dealer said to put it in anyway and new legs would be sent if needed. Was attaching the cable to the winch yesterday but it was too short and my helper pulled the cable from the opposite end which made the cable disappear into the winch tube. Thus ended the day.<br />So I called the dealer this morning and told him the delima with the cable. He said to not worry about it ...................... he gave me the wrong lift!!<br />So, they're going to put together the lift I originally ordered, put it in, and take out the one I put together...... free of charge!!

 

[Gfriedman]

Re: DIY Boat Lift

Wow, that's amazing how things work out. you should be happy about that. <br /><br />Assembling them can be a giant pain the ***. it always seems to take me a day or two to properly set the lifts and everything. <br /><br />here is a great trick. i assembled them on the shore, then with 4 people we move them over towards the water. Once they are in the water, i took two inner tubes and placed one under each size. i then inflated them. just enough to float the lift. to where i need it to be.

 

[studlymandingo]

Re: DIY Boat Lift

I always like to do the assembly THEN read the directions to see if I did it right!

 

[lakeville78]

Re: DIY Boat Lift

Just had my SS cable end come off my lift cable. So I too am very inerested in the "can I do it myself" replies.