Hoisting a Carolina Skiff

[chumhead]

After speaking to JR Miles at Carolina Skiff, I decided to lift my boat by using lift rings mounted thru the gunnals. I purchased 4 lift rings rated to 4000 lbs each, and 4 pieces of 5/16" thick aluminum bar stock that is 1" wide x 12" long to use as backing plates. Carolina Skiff uses the gunnals to lift all their boats at the factory, and JR assured me it would work for me as well. I didn't want to use slings, or have anything over the boat that I would surely trip over, and the rolled edge over the transom made using the transom D-rings a problem as well. I also didn't want to totally rebuild the boat house, so JR's suggestion was the best way to go....

I started off by rigging the lift rings and backing plates

http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e66/chumhead/PICT0001-4.jpg?t=1184134321

Measured out the mounting positions based on the position of the beams in the boat house and installed them on the boat. The fit is a bit tight, but nothing touches

http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e66/chumhead/PICT0003-3.jpg?t=1184134448

The house is a bit shorter than the new boat, but it gets the job done.

http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e66/chumhead/PICT0002-2.jpg?t=1184134389

chumhead

[Willie]

:o look ma its flyin............... ;D nice set up looks like your boat grew faster than the roof............. ;)

[sportskiff]

Somebody get chumhead an ACME roof strecher, ;D
Thanks chumhead,
sportskiffgimp

[chumhead]

I have to admit, it does look a bit "funny", I guess its a good think I didn't get the 2790 I was considering, lol

chumhead

[Slim to None]

nice set up!

[Willie]

just those 4 contact points do the job :o Love that boat, but tooooooooo long for my driveway corners back in PA. May have to go with the 21 when I do go the new boat way.The 17 just makes it around the corner. In fact took some siding off the one day with the side of the trailer.... :o

[chumhead]

Each lift eye is rated to 4,000 lbs, but J.R. Miles at CS assured me the gunnels are designed to lift the boat, and that they use the gunnels to move them around the factory. They use a claw rack that uses 2" pipe that slides under the rolled gunnels, but also has cross bars that go from side to side, which I didn't want to have to deal with stepping over while moving around the boat while up on the hoist. After a year and a half, I'm very happy with this setup (like walking on the dock, even when hoisted-4 point lift means absolutely no roll like my old 3 point lift on the v-hull).

chumhead

[mudduck]

Chumhead--Would an eye bolt work as well as the u bolts? I would like to do the same with my boat.

[chumhead]

Don't look at my posting time, lol.....just finished packing for my trip and figured I would check in one last time.

If you can find eye bolts rated high enough, it should be good, the point CS stressed with me was to spread the load out over a 10 to 12 inch area with the backing plate. My setup is overkill, as each of the 4 lift rings are rated for twice the weight of the boat (4,000 lbs).

chumhead

[AshScache]

Where did you get the aluminum bar stock to use underneath the gunnel? What size is it? Was it easy to work with?

[chumhead]

Sorry for the late reply, have not been online much....too busy taking care of sick people (my girlfriend and her oldest daughter are both 'under the weather')

I went to our local metal supplier for 5/16" thick x 1" wide aluminum bar stock which they had in stock. I purchased 4-12" long pieces for $20 (this was 2 years ago) and they did all the cutting.

As for working with it, its quite easy as long as you have a good drill bit. Drill a pilot hole and then gradually work your way up to the size you need. Clamp it down and hang onto the drill, if the bit gets a good bite it will twist your wrist.

The boats been hanging for over two years now with no problems.......

chumhead