Shallow depth required for 26 foot lx with esp

[Larryfl1]

hi we are putting a dock and lift in and its extremely shallow

Currently with the cradle lift it will only give the boat LX26 esp about 14 inches of depth at low tide…its really about 24 inches for prop but cradle lowered below only gives the boat itself about 14 inches…

Is that sufficient? What depth does a 26 foot lx esp float at loaded?

The concern is we need to make sure we can float the boat off and on the cradle

Also is straps an option on these boats? That would help with depth but not preferred

Thanks

 

[Vikingstaff]

I am sure some southern owners can go out and measure to get more specific. Mine’s put away from the winter up here in Michigan. However, I can say this:

(1) 14 inches might be enough to float the boat with motor raised. It also might not. But I think it’s way too shallow to float it off a lift of that sort. With passengers on the boat it would almost certainly be beached at that depth in the back. The sag in the back is about half the pontoon OR more depending on size and weight of motor (see pic below for my 24’ SSBXP SPS hull with a 200 HP Mercury). I never checked, but I’ve always heard about 18” is necessary.

(2) Straps are not an option. It can deform pontoons. You can do a search in the upper right hand corner. It’s been brought up before. As has someone whose pontoons were deformed by it.

I switched from cradle bunk lift in 2019 to Sea Legs. Something like Sea Legs or Ultra Legs will eliminate the need for a lift and have no further depth impact for boat. But even with the use of those instead of any sort of lift, 14 inches wont be enough.

Sag into water with no one on board my boat: