sling type lift for 2000 Challenger 2000?

[EcnarM]

I have looked all over the internet and this forum, but have not found an answer to whether or not this type of lift system can be used. I live at the back of a cove on our lake, where the water is only 2-3 feet deep. We built a dock/boat house and I am now looking to install a lift system for our Challenger. The sling type lifts are easiest to use in shallow water, but I have heard they can put too much pressure on the hull of some boats and can lead to hull failure. Before I go that route vs possibly dredging our slip to give more depth for a conventional lift, I figured I would pose the question here. Thank you to anyone for insight or an answer!

 

[henryb]

Hey there... I have a Challenger 1800, same year as yours. I have almost exactly the same boathouse setup... only 2-3 feet of water... so I have been using a 4 hoist system with 2 slings. I lift the boat out of the water every time I leave the cottage for a week or more! And lift it out of the water with this system for the whole of the winter. Been doing this for 5 years now. No noticeable damage yet!

FYI... I put one sling just under the helm and the other just under the engine... for sure the rear sling carries the bulk of the weight... so you will probably need to reinforce the roof joist (where I mounted the hoists) in the boathouse above that rear sling... I would recommend one additional 2x6" beam of LVL (laminated vanier lumber) which is strong as steel (almost)! If you go with standard spruce 2x6" you will need at least 4.