Electric Motor for Boat Lift

[Fishook]

The wife and I are getting up there in years and are interested in purchasing an electric motor for our boat lift. Lift is a 3600# Shoremaster and I keep an Alumacraft Tournament Sport 185 with a 150 Yamaha on it. Any ideas on prices, where to purchase, thoughts and suggestions would be appreciated. Also would like to set up a solar panel system for whatever I get. Thanks.

[Jameson]

Don't have a whole lot of experience, but did convert one over for someone recently. Think we used a 'shorecommander' made by Hewitt, but fits the Shoremaster.

[CigarGuy]

I bought a used "Lift Mate" this year, the wheel kind. I wanted a 110 volt model and had trouble finding a deal on a used one, so I ended up buying a 12 volt for $250.00. Best money I've spent in a while! I wired one end into my trolling motor batteries and just make the connection to the motor when needed. It works great. I charge my batteries every night after fishing, so never a power issue. I was going to buy an extra battery and solar charger, but I don't need it. Neighbor has one for his big heavy glass boat and it doesn't miss a beat. Oh, one other thing. I have just about the same boat/lift set up as you!

[Gus]

From amazon:

Superwinch 1145220 Terra 45 ATV & Utility Winch (4500lbs/2046kg Rating)

pull your wheel off and replace with one of these or similar. Wire up one of the switches so it can be operated from the dock side, we have one that is wired into the battery case. The other remote can be used to operate the winch from inside the boat.

The only thing to watch out for is someone putting the winch into freespool. We always chain the lift in the up position when not at the lake. (we did this before the electric winch was installed also as a safety precaution)

The above is at my inlaws place, working great for a couple of years. For longevity comparison, we have had a similar winch setup in place at my parents place for at least 12 years with no problems. That one we connect to the boat battery for operation.

You don't need to spend a lot to outfit a boat lift if you are a bit handy.

[Tom7227]

From amazon:

Superwinch 1145220 Terra 45 ATV & Utility Winch (4500lbs/2046kg Rating)

Do you set this up by taking off the provided cable and running the lift cable up onto the winch?

[leechlake]

I have one on my lift. It's basically a rubber wheel that pushes on the big boat lift wheel and lifts or lowers the boat. I use a spare battery that I have on the dock in a box. The battery lasts for 7-10 days of being at the cabin lifting the boat 3-4 times a day so it only needs to be charged 3-4 times a Summer for us.

I would highly suggest not having to unplug and replug into a battery on your boat every time you go in and out, get a spare battery and leave on the dock.

[Gus]

Do you set this up by taking off the provided cable and running the lift cable up onto the winch?

We removed the existing hand winch and cable, and ran the new cable from the powered winch through the lift. In one we cut off the hook and reattached with cable clamps, the other we ran the cable all the way out, removed from the spool, fed through, then reattached to the spool. Neither one have had any problems to date.

[Tom7227]

Gus,

I was just down and checked the cable on my lift and it looks to be a 1/4 min and maybe even 3/8. I don't know what they have on the ATV style winches. But I guess my bottom line is that I would be concerned about a failure or something that would allow the lift to come down uncontrolled. Injury or damage to equipment isn't worth saving a couple hundred bucks to get one that eliminates that risk, at least for me. I have the 12 v rig that runs the rubber wheel on the regular lift wheel. I use the trolling motor battery and a solar panel and I never have to take the battery out to recharge.

[CigarGuy]

I have one on my lift. It's basically a rubber wheel that pushes on the big boat lift wheel and lifts or lowers the boat. I use a spare battery that I have on the dock in a box. The battery lasts for 7-10 days of being at the cabin lifting the boat 3-4 times a day so it only needs to be charged 3-4 times a Summer for us.

I would highly suggest not having to unplug and replug into a battery on your boat every time you go in and out, get a spare battery and leave on the dock.

Why don't you like using the batteries on my boat?

[Gus]

The setups we used are not your typical "atv" winch. It's bigger than that with bigger cable also. I'm not exactly sure the size, but it wasn't any different than the lift already had. The one has been going strong for over 12 years. Back then, there were not as many options as are out now. We repeated the process on the second lift because we had no issues with the first.

[leechlake]

when I go on lift or off I don't have to connect or disconnect anything. If the battery is on dock with the boat lift theres no reconnect isssues

[CigarGuy]

when I go on lift or off I don't have to connect or disconnect anything. If the battery is on dock with the boat lift theres no reconnect issues

Ok, I was thinking it was something I could screw up with the motor or something. It's as simple as plugging in the two plugs-like an extension cord. For me it's very little effort and not worrying about another battery.