On Mon, 28 Jul 2008 20:14:30 GMT, "Chuck" wrote:

I know... I only post when I have a problem. This happened two weeks ago.
The bolt on the front outer piling holding the boat lift cradle pulley
sheared right off and the boat went in the drink. Photos of the boat, the
bolts, and some telltale corrosion streaks are stored at the links below.

Chuck, does that bolt serve as the axle for the cradle pulley? If so
you want to find new ones that are hollow with a grease fitting on the
end. My lift is set up that way and being able to grease them
periodically eliminates a lot of friction between the axle and the
pulley. It minimizes corrosion also.

Check picture #11 for an example:

http://www.landandseamarine.com/lifts2.htm

The way you replace them is to take the boat off the lift, raise the
cradle, temporarily bolt 2 x 10s between the inner and outer pilings,
and then lower the cradle onto them. That takes the load off the
cables so you can replace the pulleys, axles, etc. Take a hard look
at the cables at the same time.