Dock Boat lift utilizing a Sling

[Craigmconrad]

I am having a boat lift installed for my 2020 R23. I have relatively shallow water, low tide ~ 24 inches. I have seen some of my neighbors (Chesapeake Bay) installing sling lifts (non-RT). Has anyone installed a sling lift for an R23 here? I talked to the factory (Kenny) who says the sling locations on the R23 are at their most structural lateral point. However, he can't commit to what long-term ( on/off April thru Oct) storage on a sling would do to the structural integrity of the hull. Does anyone have any personal knowledge of the effects of using a sling?

Kind Regards,

Craig

 

[BB marine]

I can't comment on personal experience of slinging a boat for permanent storage. I can comment that many lifts do use slings for the exact reason you are trying to utilize them. I was not aware that Fluid Motion's sling locations where designated because of lateral strength. It was my assumption the location was do to balance. Many boat manufactures designs use support bulkheads that are glassed to the hull and also attached to the stringer or grid system. Normally the lifting points are located where the bulkheads are located for additional support while lifting the boat or having it hang in a sling.

Based on my experience in looking at many Ranger tugs and Cutwaters. There are no structural bulkheads. Actually the sling marks on my C26 were not even close to a bulkhead and if it was the bulkhead is not attached to the hull (floating bulkhead) The structural strength is the Grid glued to the inside hull bottom. The lifting marks are basically at the starting and ending location of the grid. ( bow and stern ). When setting up a lift normally the boat manufacturer will have drawings of the lift supports locations, Bunks, slings, or lifting straps from a lifting eye transom and bow. The shore station installer uses the manufactures instructions as to what design is recommended. Just because a boat owner does use slings doesn't mean it is right. I have seen a few boats that the structural grid bond to the hull was compromised because " poor storage support" My skepticism say's the compromise was because of poor bonding of the grid to the hull during the assembly of the hull but that is speculation. Bottom line If Fluid motion says that installing the lifting straps at the marked location will give long term storage support I would not hesitate. If they do not commit to that. They may not feel the integrity of the design is strong enough to support the hull and will not advise. What about the lifting eyes? I don't know if Fluid Motion designed them for lifting I know many boat manufactures do. Good Luck with your project.