would you use your lifting rings?

Ive only owned my 1986 natique since 06 and I now work at a marina where we do not have a boat ramp. We have hoists. And I am nervous about using the lifting rings. The boat is 23 years old so I worry about the fiberglass cracking.

What would you guys do?

Just be sure to check the whole lifting ring mounting system is still attached to the boat's structure and in good shape.

8122pbrainard wrote: Are your fellow workers at the marina telling you something?

Or your own gut?

You should be able to crawl under the front to check the condition there. The gas tank will have to come out for a full inspection of the rear mount.

I'm inclined to go with what Chris said as most are probably in good shape for lifting(neither mount is down in the bilge), but the front lift point on mine would have cracked the gel on the deck.

Click on my avatar. I lifted mine with no distress at all.

Eric,
My 69 Barracuda Hangs around all the time it is not being driven from the middle of May to early October, no problem!

Brady wrote: Eric, My 69 Barracuda Hangs around all the time it is not being driven from the middle of May to early October, no problem!

Boat hanging around and Charlie checking prop clearance to try a Acme 540:

Just as a safety precaution, I recently found that it's a good idea to simply have an occassionly look under your deck and examine your lifting ring system. As most everyone knows, and as Pete hinted in regards to the stringers, the ring isn't bolted to the deck, but thru it on a threaded rod fastened to structure below. We hung a friends 73 Mustang this past summer and to my complete surprise and shock, the rear ring lifted 1/2" off the deck. Lowered the boat down asap, found the lowest nut had come loose and dropped, allowing the opportunity to go upward, and the backing nut/washer up against the small 3/4" plywood backing square directly under the deck had compressed into/thru the plywood. But no damage was done to the deck. So check your components from time to time, FWIW.       

My old boat lift was a cable lift that used both lift rings to pull it out of the water, it hung there all summer for years.

With the rust so bad on my 78 it got me thinking it must have spent a lot of time in brackish/seawater so did a quick Google,salt water keeps wood rot at bay.that's why my stringers were in good condition also said old sailors in wood boats would put salt in the bilge when in fresh water to stop rot starting.
Just the down side is all the steel rots instead.

I think they all answered your question.

Correct Crafts are built to use the lift rings forever.

That is one of our best trademarks.


Dave

Just like to add when I split the nuts off the back lifting ring the steel angle just came away from the hull all the screws/bolts had corroded through,

As mentioned above look at them first. The biggest problem is the rear ring. The transome is hidden by the gas tank so you can't see it. I found out the hardway when my 80 SN was being put back on the trailer after gelcoating and it ripped my rear deck off... So be carefull, but I would not recommend taking the chance.

Steve