boat lift question

[black otter]

I have a Stratos 18ft boat. It has a bunk trailer. I was wondering if its ok to use a boat lift with just the back two and front two support pads, it doesnt have the full length bunks. Just not sure if the hull has enough support without full bunks. Its my dads lift and I take my boat out there on weekends. Or am I just a nervous nelly with an expensive boat? The boat has a total weight of about 3000lbs.

[LightningBG]

Does he put another boat on the lift when you're not there?

If not, could the lift be modified?

[black otter]

Yeah he has an alumacraft, we thought about putting bunks on it this fall when we pull it in.

[Tom7227]

There are tons of boat lifts out there that only have the two sets of supports. I have yet to see a boat with a broken back lying on one. If the boat were that weak I don't think you'd want to ride in it.

[Dale Rueber]

Less support surface on a lift is probably OK since a boat lift never goes bouncing down the highway with a boat on it. A boat on a lift is fairly static but on a trailer there is a lot of bouncing and motion going on. Wonder if the boat or lift manufacturers has any recommendations.

[black otter]

Thats what I thought, i cant believe the pad would crack the hull, but Im going to call the manufacturer to be sure.

[chucker]

I have an older Ranger thats sit on a lift all summer long with only the front and rear pads and have never had a problem.

[CAMAN]

I agree with Funfish, its pretty static and not strapped down so it should be okay. One thing you may want to do is find one of the hulls ribs near the rear pads and try and center the pads on that rib. It will give it a lot more support than if you set it in between two ribs, which could warp that area and/or crack the gel coat.