Storm Surge Boat Lift Installation Instructions
- 1). Choose the style and size of Storm Surge boat lift that is appropriate for the weight of your boat. The lift must be capable of hoisting not only the boat but any bilge water, fuel and ballast on board.
- 2). Reinforce your boathouse for boat lifts that exceed 6,000 pounds of capacity. These lifts not only are tied to the boat house's pilings, but also the rafters above the boathouse. When lifting a heavy boat in those circumstances, you may have to install two or three beams, rather than just a single beam.
- 3). Install side-mount lifts by bolting them directly to the reinforced pilings on your dock. The size of the pilings necessary to meet the weight requirements for these lifts varies. Check carefully before purchasing and installing the lift that will safely hold the weight of your boat. The largest capacity of Storm Surge's side-mount lifts is 16,000 pounds.
- 4). Install additional boat pilings for four post lifts. At a minimum, these require four pilings. Two of the pilings can be a part of the boat's dock, but the other two must be installed away from the dock in the water. They must be far enough from the dock that the boat can fit between them.
- 5). Install sling-style lifts in your boathouse, using either the existing wood trusses or steel girders, depending on the weight limits of the lift and the weight of the boat. Weight limits for these lifts vary between 2,800 and 12,500 pounds.
- 6). Install reinforced or larger dock pilings if you choose a boat lift that requires setting up on your dock. Typical pilings for a swimming dock may not be strong enough. In addition, the pilings have to be sunk at least eight feet into the ground to safely support your boat's weight. Some of Storm Surge's boat lifts require the use of four or more pilings, set up so that the boat is lifted from all four corners. This is known as a cradle lift.