Boat Lift I-Beams

[cmb7684]

I know I saw a few members here that made lifts for their boats. I ordered a frame only with bunks from EZ Loader to support my boat 210cc. I plan to catch the bottom of the trailer with 2 Aluminum I beams (one at the front and one at the rear) that would extend wide than the width of the boat. This way I can connect the chain to the I-Beam at 4 points to raise and lower the lift and boat out of the water.

I would expect the weight of the loaded boat including the trailer frame weight to be 5000 to 6000 lbs. What size aluminum I-beam will support that kind of weight and what type of aluminum should it be made out of i.e. 6061?

 

[pamarine]

Using a 6061-T4 Aluminum Beam the smallest dimension I would be comfortable using is 6x4 in with a .21in web thickness. This was assuming a 10' beam length attached with properly rated cable and connecting hardware at either end through a welded end plate.

This puts you within a sufficient safety factor for your expected working loads.