Boat lift for 31CB

[cavok]

Hello all.

We just got our Ranger Tug 31CB a few days ago and are very excited about it! However, now we're looking at the logistics of where we are docking it, and wondering if anyone has some ideas. We are docking it in fairly shallow water (maybe 2 1/2 feet at the lowest point), and are concerned about it hitting the bottom of the lake during winter storms and when large boats go by.

Wondering about if we should consider a boat lift (and what type), or any other options. Does anyone have any thoughts on this? I realize it's fairly rare to have a lift for this kind of boat, but it's pretty shallow on one end, and we might need to protect the boat.

Thanks!

 

[Wee Venture]

Hello Cavok. Welcome to the family! We took delivery of our R-31CB almost exactly one year ago. From your post and your location (Kenmore, WA) I am wondering if you are mooring your boat at Harbour Village Marina, which has a number of very shallow slips. If so, there is relief on the way - there are plans to dredge the area, most likely a year from this November. If you have your own place on the lake, I would guess there would be a lot of red tape for permitting a lift of that size (6+ ton) if it is permitted at all. We have been cruising all summer but our own slip is in Harbour Village Marina (though in deeper water). Feel free to PM me if you would like. BTW, the Roche Harbor Ranger Tug Rendezvous is a great place to meet other owners and get lots of ideas. We went last year about a week after taking delivery of our boat and are going again this year. Happy cruising!

John Bachelor

 

[Heronboy]

Cavok,

We have our 31CB on a lift in Florida, they’re quite common there. The lifts that size, not the 31CB’s 😀 .We also have thin water (3’ at best) at low tide and it gets down low enough for the Ranger to easily move on and off. It also gets it high enough you can crouch a bit on the dock and see straight underneath. Makes hull inspection very easy.

Anyway, we used Golden Boat Lift out of Fort Myers. Highly recommended, we have a 16K# four post model.

http://www.goldenboatlifts.com/four-post-boat-lifts/

No idea if they would sell to your neck of woods but I bet if they don’t they know who would. Worth calling them.

 

[cavok]

Hi, thank you two very much for the responses! We are glad to be new 31 CB owners, it is exciting!

I'm looking at our boat bobbing up and down on the lake (on a nice, calm day), and it is definitely concerning. Nope, we are not looking at mooring it at Harbor Village (though that seems like a great location), but at our home. I'll bet the permitting is crazy, it seems like they don't let people do anything at all on the lake without waiting years. I also noticed that lifts that size are really expensive. I had someone advise that we get the area dredged, but I wonder if they even allow that. God forbid we disturb the salmon! :roll:

I think we might be able to relocate the boat further down the dock, in deeper water, if we do some rearranging. I don't know, maybe we could put in a mooring buoy if the city allows it.

Heronboy, I will take a look at that website. Maybe the prices aren't too crazy, and the permitting is possible. No reason not to look into it.

 

[cavok]

I looked at that website, and that is a nice lift! Seems perfect, and Golden Boat Lifts is attending the Seattle Boat show, so you would think they install here. Very interesting. I hope it doesn't cost an arm and a leg. I don't know if there are any restrictions as far as replacing a lift in Seattle, I can't find anything online about it yet.

Wee Venture, I think we saw you the other day! We were getting the factory experience at our dock, and a 31CB came by slowly. We so wanted to go out and say hello, but we were learning how to dock. Okay, that is a little intimidating, at least to me. We are definitely going to meet you soon, you are our neighbors! 😀