How much do you think my boat weighs???

[lawdog]

I have a 1990 Alumacraft classic deluxe 16ft fishing boat with a 40 horse Merc, console, three other seats, a 55 lb Minnkota, two batteries a gas can and the usual "stuff" in there.

I broke the cable on my boat lift yesterday and over the years its the second cable we've broken with the boat on the lift. I'm wondering if we aren't overworking this boat lift, of if its just getting old and worn out and its time to get a newer one...

[Surface Tension]

Boat, motor, batteries, electric motor and 5 gal gas, 950lbs

[harvey lee]

Lawdog-Is that with or without you?

[lawdog]

nope lee, serious question without figuring in me because I need to figure out the boat lift situation...(can't afford one that would hold me too! HA)

950 seems lighter than I would have thought...

[Surface Tension]

I thought it sounded light too and it is.

Sorry I was looking at the wrong boat.

1672 lbs.

[lawdog]

Thanks Frank!

[Rost]

Hey Lawdog-

Maybe run your boat/trailer over the scale at the elevator. Then subtract the weight of your trailer. Eh?

[Wavey Davey]

You can get the weight of the boat and motor from NADA guides online, and guess on the rest.

Also, if you're going to replace your lift cable, go the next step up for cable diameter and replace the pulleys with higher weight capacity too if needed.

Did this to my lift when the cable broke. My boat was close to the capacity of the lift, beef'ed it up and haven't had a problem since. I noticed one of the reasons the cable broke was that 2 out of the 3 pulleys were frozen and not turning causing a lot of stress on the cable. So, check your pulleys and keep them lubricated. I spent under a $100 for bigger cable and pulleys, you can get them at Fleet Farm or cable supply companies.

[Hydra Sport]

Using the scale at the elevator or dump seems like the most accurate way to do this. On NADA it rates your boat at 1300 pounds. Boat only. Of you go with repairing with heavier duty cable, be sure to look at the weight the cable is rated for. and as someone else mentioned check the pullys. as well as any place else you may have getting wear.