Boat Lift

[T2Tennis]

I have a 1955 Holiday. Just moved it to a new dock and it is pretty busy. I was wondering if anyone could give me advice...Do you think putting it on a boat lift will be to much wear and tear on the bottom or should I leave it in the water? It seems to be getting bounced around a lot (I cant move my dock).

[Bill Foley]

I have a boat lift for my Chris Craft Deluxe and feel that it provide a secure docking system and extra insurance. I only raise the boat 2" because we are in a no wake zone on the quiet part of the lake. The trick is to raise the boat just enough so a wake does not lift it from the bunks but leaving as much of the hull in the water as possible. I just recoated the bottom and only found mininal marks where the bunks contacted the bottom.

The photo shows our Glastron Carlson on the lift last week.

[mfine]

Get a lift. The hull can be several feet above the water and not dry out and need to soak again between uses. A lift with flexible carpet covered wood bunks gives good support and a lot less risk than sitting in the water exposed to waves and wakes.

Your body of water may be ultra stable, but I strongly discourage the 2" approach. The water shed for my lake is 10 times the size of the lake so if the ground is already saturated, it can take as little as 0.2" of rain to raise the lake 2.0". Plus wind and waves do not observe no wake zones and nor do many boaters. If much of the hull is already in the water, it won't take much to bounce around or float away. I like to keep the entire hull at least 6" above the water which means I am lifting over a foot.

[Al Benton]

Wind and small wakes is definitely a factor. A floating dock takes care of run-off and fluctuating water levels. A traditional (or original) bottom should stay moist enough when lifted above the water depending on humidity levels (maybe not in Arizona).

[T2Tennis]

Thanks, It's a floating dock. Sits on Lake Lanier near Atlanta. The lake depth moves a lot.

I found a lift at a pretty good price. So I'm installing it. I just bought the boat and don't know much...but it is fun. And I think it will be a labor of love...I just hope I'm up to it.

[Al Benton]

Joel, we forgot to welcome you. Welcome to Boat Buzz. It's good to have you with us. Old wood boats are a labor of love. Hope you enjoy yours. What length Holiday do you have? In '55 they offered it in 18, 20 and 22'.

Al

[T2Tennis]

Thanks Al,
I've been reading around the Buzz and a lot of good information and a lot of knowledgeable people.

The Holiday is an 18. She's in really good condition ( I think). I sort of bought it on a whim... I'm still "asking for forgiveness" from my wife. My only concern now is that it's leaking a little, when it wasn't where it was in the water prior to moving it last week. I trailerd it for about 100 miles after it sat in the same slip for 10 years. and I'm hoping the move didn't cause any damage or that the bottom is in worse shape than I originally thought. The previous owner took extra great care of it...but the last few years he got sick and couldnt maintain as he did prior. the reason for my boat lift question is mainly: on weekends our dock can get pretty rough... and I don't want to worry about it when I'm not there. So I think for piece of mind, more than anything, I will lift it.

Anyway, it's a very beautiful boat. I'm calling it our Friday night cocktail boat ( we have a
26' Four Winns too). But I hope to enjoy for a long time and will like to spend some hobby
time with it. ( if the bottom is bad...maybe a lot of hobby time).

Thanks for the welcome.

Joel

[Al Benton]

Joel, the bottom was wet and swelled when you picked it up, then you hauled it 100 miles at a possible 50 mph average. It would be like putting it in a 50 mph wind tunnel for 2 hours or so, I feel that the planks could possibly have dried enough to cause some leakage by the time you got her launched. Given a day or two to soak, she may become as dry as she was when you picked her up. Keep an eye on her and keep your new lift under her and see what she does.

Al