4 Piling Boat Lift Instructions

Installation Instructions for the Storm Surge Series Piling Mount Boat lifts

The installation of this lift is easier than others because of its lightweight aluminum construction. In the pages that follow, we will take you step by step thru the installation process including lifting of your boat. We strongly suggest you read all of the instructions before attempting installation of your new lift.

Boat Lift Piling Placements (click to enlarge):

Step 1: Setting up the Boat Lift’s top carrier beams

First, make sure that all the pilings that you are mounting to are level and at the desired height for your top carrier beams and that the pilings are set to your lifts specifications (see piling specifications). Nail up some 2×8 scaffolding around your pilings about 4’ from the top of your pilings. Then run 2 ladders across the boards for access to your pilings.

Now you are ready to install the top beams. With drive motors to the stern, place the carrier beams on top of your pilings. Make sure that the beams are square and level to one another. Note: Top beams must be within 3″ of square to on another. Being out-of-square by more than 3″ may cause cradle beams to drag against the pilings.

You are now ready to bolt the top carrier beams to the pilings with (8) ½”x14″ stainless steel rod (all thread works best). For ease of installation, drill a ½” pilot hole thru bracket holes and piling. It is sometimes easier to drill the first hole and bolt it down before drilling the second. This way you are sure to line everything up.

Step 2: Hanging your Boat Lift’s cradle beams

In the rigging kit there are (4) pre-cut cables with a swage and thimble on one end. Start by taking the taped end and running it thru the return hole (not the winder) on the top carrier beam. Now pull the cable thru completely until the swage makes contact with the top beam. Let the cable hang down into the water. Bolt the thimble end using a 1 ½”x ½” bolt, ½” flat washer, 5/8″ flat washer and lock nut. Now set lifter beams into position; cradle beams will sit on ladder scaffold at 90 degrees to carrier beams. Pull cable thru cradle beam starting inside and returning outside. Thread the taped end of cable up between the carrier top beams and thru the hole in cable winder. Keep pushing until cable comes out thru the end of the drive pipe. Clamp the ends of the cable with 4 of the clamps provided. The winder bolt closest to the end of the winder must be removed temporarily for cable clamp clearance. Repeat on each corner of the lift.

Important Notes:

• The total length of the cable should allow for 3 full wraps of cable on the winder before carrier beam is carrying any load.
• In order to assume good drainage from boat during storage, clamp the bow cables 4″ shorter than the stern cables. This will give you 2″ of pitch for drainage.
• After tightening clamps on cable, you must pull the clamped end back thru the pipe until you hear or feel clamp pull tightly against the inside of the pipe.

***Note: 4500-lb. and 6000-lb. Top Mount Lifts: Do not use ½” spacer; cables are a straight drop off the cable winders. Clamp bow cables 2″ shorter that the stern cables for deck drainage.

Step 3: Boat Lift Winch Installation

1. Slide the adapter sleeve onto the drive shaft and place winch plate on shaft. Fasten the winch to drive shaft with the ½” x3½” bolt and lock nut included with the winch plate as in figure 5.
2. Next, install gear cove mounting pins with the ½” x1½” bolts. Attach the motor to the winch plate using the included hardware. You will be mounting the bottom cover plate with mounting pins to the back of the gear units during the motor installation.
3. Install winch pulley and drive belt so that you have about ¼” of play.
4. Re-tighten all mounting bolts.

Step 4: Mounting bunks to Boat Lift’s cradle beams

With wiring complete, start winding cables onto cable winder. It will be necessary to keep tension on the cables as they wind until the weight of the cradle beams does it for you. There are (4) aluminum angle brackets that bolt around the cradle beam. Each set attaches to the cradle beam using 2 bolts, on over the top of the beam and one riding under the cradle beam. Mount the aluminum bunks on the perpendicular side of the angle brackets.

Fitting boat to lift

For most boats, start with the bunks mounted about 30″ apart centered on the cradle beams. Move boat into position for lifting. The rear cradle beam should come up under the back of your boat. Very seldom does should any boat have more the 3’ hanging off the rear cradle. Your goal is to place your boats center-of-gravity right in between the 2 cradle beams. Start to lift the boat. Check and see how your boat is sitting on the bunks. Adjust accordingly while never spreading your bunks more than 45″ apart. Once you have your lift adjusted for your boat, install the cradle guides so that they guide your boat into perfect position every time.

Helpful Hints:

A reference mark can be placed on a guide pole to indicate that the cradle is deep enough for the boat’s hull to clear the cradle. This will assure clearance entering and leaving the cradle as the tide changes.

For shallow water installations, a reference mark can be placed on a cable to indicate the cradle is about to contact the bottom. Turning the lift off at this point will prevent the cable winds from being tangled.

Contact your distributor or use the contact link below for any technical questions:

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