stwendl
Well-known member
- Joined
- Aug 11, 2015
- Messages
- 596
- Fluid Motion Model
- C-28
- Hull Identification Number
- FMLT2719J516
- Vessel Name
- Cataleya
Took me some time of work and procrastination but the lift is done, installed and working.
A video of retrieving a 14ft kaboat inflatable kayak is on youtube.
The dinghy is lifted with two winches, each with a double drum, until it cradles the which frame. Then the frame is lifted
vertically, and the then the support frame is lowered with two screw drive pistons into its horizontal position.
The operation takes about 7 minutes to lift. Lowering is a bit faster due to less load to overcome.
Could probably be simplified with less winches. But I had fun designing and building it. Critical delays were caused by a welder who led me down and produced less than desired quality. By the time this was discovered, it was too late and I had to recover from his work and get repairs done elsewhere.
The entire frame was designed and tested to hold about 100lbs. but the dingy itself weighs only 58 lbs without motor. The unique design lifts the boat and rotates it so not water gets accumulated inside the dinghy.
There will be some modifications done that will lower the mechanism closer to the roof by about 4-5 inches. Just requires a different joint between the lift and the top luggage rack on the R27. Also the rack needs to be better secured to the hand rails so they don't slip out of the T-Fittings. Currently they are just secured with setscrews that in my opinion are not safe for a pulling load on one side of the rack. I currently have added safety lines until that issue is addressed.
The video was also shout in suboptimal lighting but still shows the operation. The video can be found on youtube as R27 dinghy lift and can be viewed here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mEEGwbyudYA&t=12s
A video of retrieving a 14ft kaboat inflatable kayak is on youtube.
The dinghy is lifted with two winches, each with a double drum, until it cradles the which frame. Then the frame is lifted
vertically, and the then the support frame is lowered with two screw drive pistons into its horizontal position.
The operation takes about 7 minutes to lift. Lowering is a bit faster due to less load to overcome.
Could probably be simplified with less winches. But I had fun designing and building it. Critical delays were caused by a welder who led me down and produced less than desired quality. By the time this was discovered, it was too late and I had to recover from his work and get repairs done elsewhere.
The entire frame was designed and tested to hold about 100lbs. but the dingy itself weighs only 58 lbs without motor. The unique design lifts the boat and rotates it so not water gets accumulated inside the dinghy.
There will be some modifications done that will lower the mechanism closer to the roof by about 4-5 inches. Just requires a different joint between the lift and the top luggage rack on the R27. Also the rack needs to be better secured to the hand rails so they don't slip out of the T-Fittings. Currently they are just secured with setscrews that in my opinion are not safe for a pulling load on one side of the rack. I currently have added safety lines until that issue is addressed.
The video was also shout in suboptimal lighting but still shows the operation. The video can be found on youtube as R27 dinghy lift and can be viewed here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mEEGwbyudYA&t=12s