Lift to Pull Disabled From The Water - Finished

[STEVEBRENDA]

I am getting ready to build lift to assist raising me out of the water and then onto the pontoon. Any ideas on how strong tubing similiar to what is usually on pontoon might be? Our tubing is about 1 1/4 by 1 1/4. I am thinking I probably want something stronger for a little insurance.

Note: Edited to change title for easier search nopw that project done.

[lakerunner]

I think so to. So you just getting old or old and crippled like me?

[GregF]

They make aluminum extrusions in just about any strength you want. Track down a real metal supplier and talk to the folks there about what they have. I imagine if you google around you can come up with tables about the bending forces each type of tube will carry. The only problem with metal suppliers is they will want to sell you 20 or 24' sticks but it is a lot cheaper per foot than buying the cut off pieces at the hardware store.
Another place to fund aluminum is at a small scale scrap yard. The newer high volume places will usually crush everything they get into a brick as soon as it comes in so it is hard to find anything useful unless you are willing to hang around all day waiting to catch it as it comes in the door. The "going out" price is about twice the scrap price but still a lot less than the retail price.
I did manage to score some 20 ga stainless plate the last time I was there from a guy in line going in. THAT was a good deal.

[HandymanHerb]

Might be cheaper just buying a truck bed crane and then making you a sling.



http://www.pickupspecialties.com/Spitzl ... models.htm



http://www.northerntool.com/shop/tools/ ... _200402703

[goldnrod24]

Back when I owned a Donzi, one of the guys I ran with was paralyzed from the chest down in a diving accident when he was younger. He had one of those truck bed lifts mounted on his trailer. He'd have help getting hoisted from his chair into the boat where he had a racing seat with racing belts to hold him in place. His helper would launch the boat and Jeff would pilot it. No puzzy stuff, either, he ran it hard!!

One of the coolest boating stories I know.

[devdwt]

I am getting ready to build lift to assist raising me out of the water and then onto the pontoon. Any ideas on how strong tubing similiar to what is usually on pontoon might be? Our tubing is about 1 1/4 by 1 1/4. I am thinking I probably want something stronger for a little insurance.

The tubing for the rails on most pontoons is very thin walled...mainly for weight savings....yet it is configured to meet the specs for the rail strength. The application you are wanting will require a stronger cross section. Also aluminum can be purchased in all configurations including I-beam.

Goggle it and you can find several material suppliers that will sell in cut to order lengths. Be prepared.....it's pricey especially in heavier configurations.
In my business I use a lot of aluminum, mostly round and flat bar, but I have done some jobs that required structural pieces.

[STEVEBRENDA]

Thanks for all of the replies. I am in agreement with everyone else, canopy tubing probabaly would be too light. I was hoping it would work, as I had someone that may have sold me some pretty cheap.

I have a little time before summer. Hopefully I can find something scrap, otherwise I will head to the metal shop.

"Might be cheaper just buying a truck bed crane and then making you a sling." I am thinking I can get buy cheaper and have a better solution when I get a frame built (alot less weight and space required). The lifting system is a used lift, like they use to transfer people from bed to a wheel chair,etc. Pretty slick system. All self contained, 24V (2 small batteries included in the unit), unit weighs about 10-20 pounds, and has about 80" of lift. Controls are a pressure switch so you can take the controls down in the water with you. The plan is to hang this from the proposed frame.

I looked at the disabled boating websites and all I really found were how to get disabled people on a boat. No one had a solution on how to get someone in and out of the water. Being in the water is what 75% of boating is for me.

"I think so to. So you just getting old or old and crippled like me?" Both. Got to celebrate my 24th anniversary of being diagnosed with MS on 12/23. Found I am getting banged up pretty good getting in and out of the water; almost to the point that I do not want to get in sometimes.


Thanks again for your replies.

[Bamby]

Got to celebrate my 24th anniversary of being diagnosed with MS on 12/23. Found I am getting banged up pretty good getting in and out of the water; almost to the point that I do not want to get in sometimes.


Thanks again for your replies.

No way am I leaving the dancing banana on that diagnoses, MS is a horrible disease to be forced to deal with in life. I looked after my Mother for years as she slowly went downhill from it and it wasn't pretty at all. If you're still walking or even in a wheelchair and have the strength to transfer you may be better off with a wheelchair ramp between the dock and boat. I have one left from my Mother that is plenty strong (she was pretty heavy in the late stages) to hold a significant load. It also has molded in curbs on both sides that would make it difficult to roll off the sides of it. The bottom has a aggressive sandpaper like texture to it to keep it in place and prevent it from sliding around or moving easily around especially under load. I used to keep it in the van at all times and it was unbelievably convenient to have around at times. I'm thinking maybe the right ramp may be actually more suitable for your needs in the long term, or at least something to consider. The one we have is about four foot in length and I can shoot you a photo if you can't picture it.

[STEVEBRENDA]

I did not mean for the Dance Banana as a true celebration, as it may be offensive to someone else. I try to deal with my issues more with humor. Got to roll with the punches.

I appreciate your offer regarding the ramp info., but at this time I am able to make the 8" step onto the boat at this point. I just want a easier/safer way to get in and out of the water.

Once again, sorry if I hit a nerve and will remove the Dancing Banana.

[Flanker]

Let me know how it turns out. I am a paraplegic been boating from a chair for 22+ Years. Since I am getting older and sorer I don't get in the water much anymore either. I would love to see what you come up with

[Bamby]

I did not mean for the Dance Banana as a true celebration, as it may be offensive to someone else. I try to deal with my issues more with humor. Got to roll with the punches.

I appreciate your offer regarding the ramp info., but at this time I am able to make the 8" step onto the boat at this point. I just want a easier/safer way to get in and out of the water.

Once again, sorry if I hit a nerve and will remove the Dancing Banana.

Let me know how it turns out. I am a paraplegic been boating from a chair for 22+ Years. Since I am getting older and sorer I don't get in the water much anymore either. I would love to see what you come up with

It's unfortunate that folks find themselves facing such circumstances in life. I did a Google search myself now that I understand what you're actually seeking, and to be frank it was pretty unsuccessful or my search perimeters were weak or wrong.

Anyway I see a need though maybe not a large one of a page or site on the web with useful information or links helpful to you and other folks that may find themselves in your situation. As some people here are aware of I have a website and if you or anyone else here find any information that would be truly useful to the disabled I'm willing to assemble them and post them on our site in an attempt to make life just a little simpler for the handicapped on the water.

I know of just one person in our marina that is in a wheelchair and still enjoys being out on the water. Fortunately for the club/marina making the facilities easily accessible was cheap and easy on the particular dock assigned to their pontoon boat, it not always the case though. So if anyone's interested please post it here or PM me if your bashful and we'll see if we can post something Google will assimilate and cough up well that disabled boaters or their families "can or will find helpful".

[GregF]

http://www.access-board.gov/recreation/ ... Facilities

[lakerunner]

I was a member of another pontoon forum (can't remember name). Some posted a link to a small deck that fit on back of boat it had a lift one could sit on and be lowered into water and lifted out when done.

[Bamby]

I was a member of another pontoon forum (can't remember name). Some posted a link to a small deck that fit on back of boat it had a lift one could sit on and be lowered into water and lifted out when done.

Was it something like this lakerunner? http://www.tntlifts.com/bikinilift.html It could maybe work but the website leaves a lot to be desired. They should have some u-tub examples of the units in operation so people can determine the feasibility or potential of them.

[STEVEBRENDA]

I remember their lifts being very expensive, but contacted them again anyway just for grin. Their response was that they no longer make lifts for my size boat. As this would be a small market, I think it will be hard to find a vendor for a lift. Besides the lift, there is also alot of customization with all of the differnt kinds and shapes of boats.