Boat Hoist for G23 needed: low water

[bblueg]

We are figuring our plans for a 'cradle' for our new G23===We need a hoist.
Our dealer and several hoist dealers in the area have not been able to help, so I will turn to the experts.

Our dealer uses Hydraulic Cantilever style lifts under their Gs. I cannot do this, as I do not have the 20"+ of water plus draft of the boat. We are in low water. It will be a matter of CM's for us. We will be walking our boat in and out, as we have always done with anything other than a pontoon.(Best pic I had to reference water depth. Of my buddy coercing his boy to boot-up)

So we are shopping vertical lifts like the FLOE 7500 with VSD and the Shore Station 60120 with the Hydraulic OR the direct drive motor.

Questions:
Anyone have experience with G's or other larger v-drives on square frames like the FLOE? Does the lack of a drop frame on the cradle dictate that the bunks need to be raised higher for the skegs and the driveshaft to be able to clear the cradle of the lift?

ShoreStation has a v-shape to their cradle. Does this allow the skegs and the drive shaft clear the cradle easier?

Anyone with experience with any of the 3 lifts comment on their performance and durability?

[NautiqueJeff]

Have you called Lakeside Lifts to see what they suggest? You might run this by them and get their input. Click their banner ad for more info.

[bblueg]

Have you called Lakeside Lifts to see what they suggest? You might run this by them and get their input. Click their banner ad for more info.

Checked their banner ad. Noted that their 7k lift needed 11". Was hoping to get lower.(possibly?)

I'll give them a call on Monday.
Thx!

[shag]

If you can get 11" with a 7K lift for cradle clearance, thats really good. One thing I would recommend when factoring all of this in, is that I always be sure to get a lift that is rated a fair amount more than the intended weight. I know that a 7K lift has probably got an engineered rating of more than that, but I'd just rather be on the safe side.... Plus, when you get that G25 in couple years, you'll be good to go!
Can those boats be lifted by the lifting rings? Then you would be golden!

[Quinner]

How deep is the water where the lift will be? Never been to Higgens Lake, is it like the typical lake in that area where deep water is quite a ways from the shoreline? Shorestation makes a very good quality lift and the Floe's are very nice as well, the top 2 brands IMO. Shorstations have fully adjustable bunks, that and the Vee shape do allow them to be used in relatively shallow water. As another option you could dredge out where the lift will reside.

The hydraulic lifts will raise substantially faster then the cabled verticals. If you go vertical shore power (120v) motors will raise faster then the 12v's.

[Quinner]

Just measured my 5k Shorestation, with cradle at the lowest point and feet dropped all the way down, the highest point of the cross vee would be about 8" from the lake bottom. The G drafts about 25", would imagine you would need at least 33" of depth to make it work, assuming the 7k cross members are the same as the 5k lift.

[bblueg]

Just measured my 5k Shorestation, with cradle at the lowest point and feet dropped all the way down, the highest point of the cross vee would be about 8" from the lake bottom. The G drafts about 25"...

much appreciate the help.
Am heavily favoring the SS. Large dealer network. Quality product = a safe stable for our new toy.

[bblueg]

How deep is the water where the lift will be? Never been to Higgens Lake, is it like the typical lake in that area where deep water is quite a ways from the shoreline? Shorestation makes a very good quality lift and the Floe's are very nice as well, the top 2 brands IMO. Shorstations have fully adjustable bunks, that and the Vee shape do allow them to be used in relatively shallow water. As another option you could dredge out where the lift will reside.

The hydraulic lifts will raise substantially faster then the cabled verticals. If you go vertical shore power (120v) motors will raise faster then the 12v's.

no 120. Can't swing that. A 12v or 24v system will do just fine.

Yes. It is a glacial lake and we have almost 900 ft. of 3' water until it drops off to 5', then almost immediately to 100'+.
there are no Floe dealers within an hour of us, but 15 or more SS dealers in that same radius. Will likely not spend the coin on the SS hydraulic. Cables/winch seems old tech., but it does the job and if there is problem we could get the hoist up or down. With hydraulics, we may be stuck on or off the lift for the weekend.

I really like Floe's VSD. If they had a v-style cradle, like SS, then I would bite. A straight frame cradle means the bunks will have to ride higher to accommodate the skegs and the drive shaft.

[Quinner]

Can't go wrong with a SS, smooth operation, bigger feet = easier to move, replacement parts are readily available. Stick with the SS motor that is a rubber wheel to the steel wheel, don't go with the type that removes the winch wheel. I Always use manual down which you cannot do if the wheel is gone. Be sure your canopy is a couple feet longer then the boat + platform for full coverage.

One word of caution, once the vinyl is installed on the canopy frame you do not want the lift out there for extended periods without a boat on it, have seen lifts literally blow away without the weight of the boat on them.

[slob02]

I have put in 100's of "lake bottom" lifts. (Mostly SS and Hewitt) If isn't to rocky, you can always get an extra inch or two by digging out the feet and cross bars.

[kwalker]

We just ordered a Summit marine Hydraulic. They have a shallow water model water available. Very well built lifts made in Grand Rapids. Runs off a 12 v system. Can get solar trickle charger. Not sure about the dealer network up near Higgins Lake.

Summit Marine
Jim Ampulski
616-784-3525

[bblueg]

We just ordered a Summit marine Hydraulic. They have a shallow water model water available. Very well built lifts made in Grand Rapids. Runs off a 12 v system. Can get solar trickle charger. Not sure about the dealer network up near Higgins Lake.

Summit Marine
Jim Ampulski
616-784-3525

I talked to Jim last week regarding this new low water Hyd. hoist he is building this year.

I agree he does build very nice lifts.
With the square cradle, I would have to sink the entire frame lower to accommodate the skegs. There is a substantial frame structure on this unit = a lot of sand relocation.

[Quinner]

I would definitely be a little concerned about regularly running in that shallow of water, if it's choppy or white capping there is a chance you are going to hit bottom. If your all sand, maybe not as critical. What is keeping you from putting your lift in the deeper water? How many feet is your pier from 4' depth? Dredging a channel could be another option, my Buddy on Glen Lake did that and it was not crazy $$$ like 900' of pier would be.

[bblueg]

I would definitely be a little concerned about regularly running in that shallow of water, if it's choppy or white capping there is a chance you are going to hit bottom. If your all sand, maybe not as critical. What is keeping you from putting your lift in the deeper water? How many feet is your pier from 4' depth? Dredging a channel could be another option, my Buddy on Glen Lake did that and it was not crazy $$$ like 900' of pier would be.

We regularly walk anything other than the dingy and the pontoon out ALL the time - not just choppy days.

the jet skis get walked out on choppy days.

Ummm...dregging? Not an option. DNR and the neighbors would have a conniption at the very mention.

Ill deal with walking it in an out with water like in the pic, but mooring it really isn't an option as we get our share of windy days.

The pic of the 2 people is in the water is at the South State Park, but gives you an idea of the water depths we have around lake up to 500' from shore.

[bblueg]

Making the final decision between the S/S 60120 direct drive 24v system and Jim at Summit Marine's low water hydraulic. Am having trouble deciding - both are comparably priced.

Plus for S/S -
+ reliable
+ parts availability
+ Eability to get on or off the water if there is a failure
+ v-frame will ensure lowest water capability to clear the running gear

Plus for Summit -
+ speed
+ unique design
+ battery efficiency using hydraulics
+ ability to support local MI business and family