Boat maintenance when using a boat lift

**mjw930** · 12-06-2018, 09:00 PM

Question for all those who keep your boats on a lift. How do you deal with simple tasks like installing a prop or opening and closing the drain plugs?

I’m getting the boathouse in order on our new river house and am trying to figure out the best solution to these issues. For example, I NEVER leave a prop on the lower unit when the boat is not in use, it comes off at the end of the day or weekend. I also like to keep the drain plugs open so water doesn’t collect and sit in the bilge. These are simple tasks when you are trailering the boat but become a conundrum when stored primarily on a lift.

Im thinking platforms like the one below is the best option but I’d like to hear what others have come up with.

**SS170** · 12-06-2018, 09:54 PM

My Baja stays on a lift all summer. It is covered so the plugs stay in all summer. Never had an issue with water but the bilge pump is automatic so no problem. That's a bunch of crap that aholes would steal props right off a boat. You've got a lot of props too. McGard (they make wheel locks) I thought made prop locks. Worth looking into.

**mjw930** · 12-06-2018, 10:31 PM

It’s not as much about stealing the prop as it is my anal need to remove it after every use and providing the ability to change props based on conditions, load, etc. I haven’t left a prop on a boat not in use more than overnight in 20 years, I’m not going to change habits now.

If if I have to do any serious maintenance work I’ll just put it on the trailer, this is for simple inspections, cleaning and prop swapping.

**Chillinthemost** · 12-06-2018, 10:45 PM

Yep that’s anal, don’t know anyone that removes their props everyday. I remove mine only to change lower unit oil.

**RSWORDS** · 12-06-2018, 11:21 PM

Get an auto pump and a canoe for the prop.

You mind will change about removing it everytime after few outings or a few pieces of dropped hardware I think though.

**Tom Foley** · 12-07-2018, 05:58 AM

Originally Posted by mjw930

Question for all those who keep your boats on a lift. How do you deal with simple tasks like installing a prop or opening and closing the drain plugs?

I’m getting the boathouse in order on our new river house and am trying to figure out the best solution to these issues. For example, I NEVER leave a prop on the lower unit when the boat is not in use, it comes off at the end of the day or weekend. I also like to keep the drain plugs open so water doesn’t collect and sit in the bilge. These are simple tasks when you are trailering the boat but become a conundrum when stored primarily on a lift.

Im thinking platforms like the one below is the best option but I’d like to hear what others have come up with.

Have custom platforms built larger than those available . When I built my new aluminum lift I built a 4' X 5 ' platform .

**DangerNewb** · 12-07-2018, 06:13 AM

Originally Posted by Tom Foley

Have custom platforms built larger than those available . When I built my new aluminum lift I built a 4' X 5 ' platform .

This and you can lay a 2x12 board across the back to get from one side to the other.

**mjw930** · 12-07-2018, 07:55 AM

Originally Posted by Tom Foley

Have custom platforms built larger than those available . When I built my new aluminum lift I built a 4' X 5 ' platform .

If you could post a picture of your platform that would be great.

Originally Posted by DangerNewb

This and you can lay a 2x12 board across the back to get from one side to the other.

Exactly what I was thinking. Before I decided to only do the bare minimum update to the boathouse I had planned on lengthening the entire slip and extending the dock deck so the boat would sit further in and building a retractable catwalk behind the boat so you could literally walk behind the boat when it was on the lift. Now that I’m only doing the lift cradle and extending the roof I figured I would use an aluminum scaffold plank to bridge the platforms attached to the lift (lighter than wood, easier to handle).

**JPEROG** · 12-07-2018, 08:35 AM

Have Paul get you hooked with Raymond over there in Astor. He will build you an aluminum rear cross walk that will drop down from your side beams to give you gear case clearance for driving on and off. He is great fabricator and has all of the resources needed to do it fast.

Joe

**vnemous** · 12-07-2018, 10:19 AM

A small aluminum ladder add a deck works well also, not as expensive.

**gordie** · 12-07-2018, 01:21 PM

A pedal boat works pretty good for doing what you want.

**FUJIMO** · 12-07-2018, 04:58 PM

**mjw930** · 12-07-2018, 06:47 PM

Originally Posted by JPEROG

Have Paul get you hooked with Raymond over there in Astor. He will build you an aluminum rear cross walk that will drop down from your side beams to give you gear case clearance for driving on and off. He is great fabricator and has all of the resources needed to do it fast.

Joe

Yep, already hooked up with Raymond, just need him to call me back to finalize the build. He’s hard to pin down. Good to know this won’t be a greeted with a blank stare

I’ve seen some of the work he’s done for Paul, impressive.

**mjw930** · 12-07-2018, 07:00 PM

Originally Posted by FUJIMO

I’ve always wanted a full platform like that but some of the prices are insane. The slip I have wasn’t built by someone with any vision, it’s too short and too narrow by today’s standards. Luckily my Talon fits, barely, but it really needs to be ripped out and rebuilt but the quote for that was $65,000. Not happening any time soon. That’s why I’m only spending the minimum I need to get the lift repositioned, a custom cradle built and the roof extended to completely cover the boat and motor.

But I know Raymond has built platforms similar to that so I was planning on asking it it was feasible considering the space we have to work in. It’s a tight fit.