265 lift question

[SeaVee]

265 owners. Just had a lift installed and the installer asked me to contact GW to get the correct spacing for the lift bunks. I’ve tried CS thru the website, and left a message as well. Can anyone tell me what the correct spacing for the bunks and if you angled them inward any?
TIA

 

[magicalbill]

Call Grady directly by phone; unless they are short-staffed due to Covid-19, they'll put you thru to the right person.

I did the same for my Grady and after I hung up, they sent a spec sheet with the proper placement of the bunks.

 

[seasick]

The Grady doc that has been circulated doesn't specifically list the 265. For the 255 the spacing is 45 inches. For the 271 the spacing is 50 inches but for the 275, the spacing is back to 45 inches (center lines of bunk. So.. I don't know and if they send you the same doc, it isn't going to help a lot. Note that the data in the table is measured from the center line (keel) so bunk spacing would be twice that number

 

[Halfhitch]

As far as whether the bunks should be angled in going forward, the answer is, No. The table indicates a spacing that keeps the bunks under the stringers and they are parallel.
One thing to keep in mind when having the lift installer adjust the cross beams. On the Gradys I have become familiar with, the bilge will hold considerable water up forward if the boat is situated so the cockpit sole is fairly level. Unknowing people will adjust the cross-beams to hold the boat in an attitude that makes it nice to sit in the cockpit in deck chairs and have a drink and such. The boat looks nice in that attitude but it is very bad for fuel tank corrosion and mold below deck. Watch your installer and make sure he puts a long carpenters level or an inclinometer on the keel and gives you at least 2 or 3 degrees of keel slope aft. that way you can drain your hull completely while on the lift either by removing the drain plug or vacuuming from above at the transom.

 

[Parthery]

Call GW and ask for Customer Service. 252-752-2111. They are working and will email you the sheet for the 265.

 

[seasick]

SeaVee,
If you get the document for your model year, can you post it on this thread. It would be handy info to have.
Thanks

 

[SeaVee]

Spoke to GW, they got right back to me. Here’s the measurements:


Here’s some information that I have that shows the 2001 265 center of gravity and bunk location. LCG is 109.5” from the transom (at motor mount location, not the keel). The bunks are best located 23.5” off of centerline (47” apart) so they’ll support the mid stringers. Hope this helps.

Carolyn Ray
Customer Relations
Grady White Boats
252-830-8600

 

[seasick]

Thanks for the info. Good luck with your lift. I am a bit jealous.

 

[Jeanette Elaine]

Great Info, I am planning a 4 post lift this year at our new home for 265. Did you go with a 10k, or more? Is it elevator or 4 post? Any ideas or regrets with your purchase or instal?
Thanks so much

 

[seasick]

No one replied to the question about angling the bunks. I would ask the installer about that question. I would prefer that as much of the bunk surface as possible be in contact with the hull. Either the bunks can be tilted or the tops of the bunks could be chamfered. Let us know.

 

[seasick]

Great Info, I am planning a 4 post lift this year at our new home for 265. Did you go with a 10k, or more? Is it elevator or 4 post? Any ideas or regrets with your purchase or instal?
Thanks so much

Structurally, a four poster is preferred in my opinion but access can be tricky. Lifting cabling is more complex as can be electric. I suppose elevators may offer better boarding access but they can put a bit of strain on the dock or bulkhead pilings. The actual installation of the slides in the sea floor can be an issue ( are they driven in or just resting on the bottom?)

Regardless, check local building codes. In one of my boat locations, permits are required for pilings and some waterways have restrictions on how far out those pilings can be. . Recent code changes forbid cantilevered lifts or any cantilevered structure such as a dock hung off of a bulkhead, a previously very common practice.