inboard bunk question (lift)

I have regular full length bunks for my I/O on my vertical lift. Somebody told me that i needed inboard V bunks for an inboard.

What is that, and why is it necessary?

What keeps the prop from hitting the back of the lift....does the V-bunks lift it way up...and if so does that mean that the lift should be a little lower?

Thanks in advance.

I think what they are trying to say are slanted bunks. Like on your trailer. I don't know though I have seen them both ways.

They are saying that the metal supports for the bunks need to have a V in them for the tracking fins and prop shaft to be able to clear without hitting.
_________........_________
..................\...../
...................\.../
.....................V

Ignore the periods.

(Message edited by ag4ever on May 17, 2005)

Hmmmm, anyone have a picture? I mean, I know what you are saying about the clearance issues but currently there are two bunks than run the full length of the lift in line with the boat. Those would work with any boat.

However, they are only about 6" higher than the horizontal frame support (the part that the fins or engine would hit).

For what it's worth, I had a lift installed for my 20' Chris Craft. When i traded it in for my Moomba, I was able to use the exact same lift. I adjusted my bunks to sit just a little higher. That allowed the fins and the prop to clear the lift. BTW, are you talking about a cable winch type of lift, or a Ballast lift?

Not really sure what is meant by "V-bunks", but all you need is a flat carpeted bunk that rests flat against the bottom of the boat in the same place and fashion that your factory trailer bunks rest against the boat. I have seen improperly built trailers change the shape of a boat's bottom over long time periods, so the same would apply to a lift.

Well, i already have the flat carpeted bunks that are adjustable...so it should all be good.

I hope

Most of the lifts (especially the older Hewitt lifts) come with a cradel that the keel rests on on each of the cross members. Works great for stern drives and looks like this:


For an inboard, it needs to look like this:



Hewitt calls them "V-bunks". You are probably all set with your current set up as long as it looks like the second picture.


(Message edited by csquared on May 17, 2005)