Boat hoist repair help

[Grand Lake]

Since its 60 deg here in Michigan, decided to work on the boat hoist. I need to replace the boards the boat sits on. I was told to put carpet on them and also not to. What do you experts recommend and why?

[Grand Lake]

Nobody uses a boat hoist?

[bob1]

We use boat lifts down here and they ALL have carpet on them!

[jkbrink]

A topic for discussion at another time. This year I'm replacing the wood/carpeted bunks on my trailer with recycled "plastic lumber". Not a composite, but a total recycled plastic structure rated 2"x6" board. My thoughts were that the carpeting holds invasives and sand that is abrasive to the bottom of the boat. I might suggest that you take a serious look at this product. Spendy, thinking I paid around $6/ft delivered. Time will tell if it's worth it- -jerr

I have over 15 yrs of working on boat hoists. Wood will not dry when you cover it with carpet cause sunlight only hits the carpet and not the wood. Carpet only keeps the wood wet and therefore it will become soft and squishy. I would replace the wood only if it were up to me. Has the boat ever been damaged from the wood. Are the cradle bars bowing down. If so the boat is too heavy for the hoist which could cause alot more damage if something should break.

[REW]

As GNO said, Carpet holds sand and other creatures.
Really no reason to have carpet on the boards - what ever the material the boards are made from.

The boards will be wet and rinsed clean when the boat is loaded to the lift, so why have any carpet on them.

I would suggest something like Cedar, Cypress, or a plastic board for lift replacement boards.

Good luck
REW

[popi]

I have a Hewitt Lift and I replaced the wood/carpet with plastic lumber.
Advantage-boat slides off easy,and no rot issue ever
Disadvantage-cost three times as much as a 2x6 and carpet