Ait Nautique 226, Proper Boat House Lift Setup

[Msajecki]

I just had my lift redone in my boathouse to support my 2005 Air Nautique 226. My old lift was rated at 2800 lbs for my older 1988 MC Tri Star. The AN is a little heavier at 4100lbs dry. I went from a single motor / pipe setup to a dual motor / pipe setup. No worries anymore.

However, I do want to make sure that my bunk spacing is properly set up. Is there a spec somewhere that tells me how far apart the front needs to be and how far apart the back needs to be? Obviously, it needs to clear the prop, shaft and skegs....


Also, How should the weight be distributed? Where should the weight be centered? Is there a position on the boat where it's considered the center point?

Any tips or suggestions would be appreciated.


PS, I think I need to start a boat lift business in Tampa FL. Everywhere I called was 4-6 weeks out to even come look at the lift. I finally found someone reputable, but had to work with him on the weekend just to fit it in. I didn't want my boat floating that long and I don't have a trailer.

MS

[Bevostein]

If you email Nautique customer care they will tell you where the center of gravity is for your boat. You should try to position that in the middle of your lift pick up points. I sent in an email on my G and got a response the next day. It was a measurement from the aft lifting ring and was a dry weight calculation. I would space your bunks the same width as a 226 trailer if you can find one to look at or call a dealer to measure. Customer care might tell you that measurement as well

customer.care@nautique.com

[homer12]

^^
What he said. I've got a 211 we are working on setting up a boat hoist for. I emailed Nautique and they told me my center of gravity was 84" from the aft lighting ring. I am shooting to get that within 6" of the middle of the cradle beams. Also, for bunks their recommendation to me was under the primary stringers. I am going to see how that compares to just measuring my trailer. I'm not sure what the 226 beam is compared to the 211, but the rear of my bunks are at 31" center to center if I recall.

The trailer is the Ramlin though and the bunks follow the contour of the trailer that bends. Obviously I can't replicate that with bunks so I plan to play around with that some. What are you using for bunks? I was just going to use a 2x12 vertical for each one at a slight angle to match the hull.

[homer12]

Let me correct myself, my trailer bunks are measured to insides are about 41" in rear and 29" in front. Just a measured that. Also primary stringers are about 34" midship

[Msajecki]

Thanks for the guidance, I just emailed them. I'll report back with my findings, should anyone else need this info.

[shag]

I wouldn't use a single 2 x 12 vertical... Too much force outward IMO.. I have always used 2x6, flat, any done that with 230's without issue... If you are going to do anything vertical, i would double them with stainless bolts sandwiching them together.

All that said, the concerning thing for me is the cradle itself and cables. If you initially had a much lighter boat, and now are nearly doubling that after gas/etc - I would be cautious of the cradle itself. I have neighbor that did this same thing and ended up breaking a main cradle support. Just my .02

[Msajecki]

Completely agree, went to a completely beefier set of cradle beams. Went from 4.5" to 6.5", and did V-Shaped so that the skegs and prop shaft clear better. Actually beefed up everything. Went to double the thickness stainless cable. A double motor, double drive pole set up. Bigger motors on the drive. Everything. Now I'm partially worried about the boat house support......

[shag]

Photos of the boathouse support? Most decently built boathouses should have no problem supporting that weight...

[homer12]

Shag, can you post a pic or two of your bunk setup with the 2x6 horizontal? Seems like 90%+ of what I see are 2x boards standing vertically or at a slight angle inward from vertical across the I-beam cradles supporting lots of boats. My Aunt & Uncle live down on Treasure Island in St. Petersburg and when visiting them recently, I saw a LOT of boats of all sizes supported this way in there hoist cradles.

I'm interested to know what kind of brackets your using to be able to put a board the other way, Shag. It seems I didn't see anything or didn't look in the right place. thanks!

Sorry to threadjack on the bunks there...