CALIFORNIA''S SANTA CRUZ PORT DISTRICT PURCHASES NEW MARINE TRAVELIFT 50 BFMII MOBILE BOAT HOIST

One of just three such districts in the state, the Santa Cruz Port District is the governing body responsible for the Santa Cruz Small Craft Harbor. Constructed in 1964 and expanded in 1973, this year-round safe harbor of refuge — and gateway to the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary — features more than 800 permanent slips, launching facilities, and secure storage.

Jason Johnson, Marine Travelift''s North American sales manager, said the Santa Cruz Port District made a valuable investment with the purchase of the new 50 BFMII mobile boat hoist; with the new machine, the district has significantly increased its boat-handling capabilities. District management initially inquired about pre-owned machines but quickly determined the new model would be in its best interest due to the enhancements available with the BFMII series.

“Our decision to purchase this mobile boat hoist was driven by the Santa Cruz Port District''s commitments to providing safe, reliable service to our boaters and investing public funds wisely,” explained Lisa Ekers, port director. “And a new hoist was deemed superior.

“The purchase was competitively bid based on exacting specifications,” she continued. “These included warranty, training, follow-up service and manufacturing experience. Marine Travelift fulfilled all specifications and went above and beyond in providing customer service, timely delivery, and an outstanding product — from its high-quality construction to its remote-control operation.”

The Santa Cruz Port District team was so interested in the production process, it made its own trip to the Marine Travelift headquarters in Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin, during the final manufacturing stage. Johnson then traveled to California to be on hand for the machine''s delivery, and he remained with the team for two days, assisting with assembly and ensuring that everyone was comfortable with the machine''s operation.

The Santa Cruz Port District''s new 50 BFMII is ideally suited to its new home. It boasts extra height, a customizable option that doesn''t compromise the hoist''s lifting capacity; it also incorporates Marine Travelift''s innovative sailboat top beam extension. Both features will allow the boatyard to easily accommodate sailboats and large vessels with tall superstructures, saving both time and manpower.

For example, a sailboat''s backstay or forestay can interfere with a mobile boat hoist''s top beam. With the top beam extension, the top beam is moved forward, providing additional clearance while the boat is suspended in the slings; this allows the boatyard to lift a much larger number of sailboats without needing to adjust the vessels'' rigging. There''s no need to dismantle the forestay, which reduces stress on the mast and gives greater ground clearance to the keel during lifting.

This Marine Travelift 50 BFMII is equipped with a fully hydraulic jib crane 250, which allows the operator to move loads up to 2,500 pounds on or off a vessel. The telescopic boom with proportionate controls allows for precise movement. The jib crane also is mounted to the upper side beam of the mobile boat hoist, allowing 350-degree rotation.

“The Santa Cruz Port District will use the jib crane for repair services, such as removal of engines, masts and general equipment aboard a vessel,” Johnson explained. “The jib crane can lift its full capacity whether it''s horizontal or fully raised.”

Next, the new Marine Travelift 50 BFMII features a wireless remote control and two-speed hoists. The wireless remote control, with its range of 300 feet (100 meters), allows the operator to walk around the lift while hauling and moving a boat; it increases operator visibility of the boat, launch piers and surrounding area, improves operational safety, and ensures maximum maneuverability in the yard.

To maintain consistency and provide an extra measure of efficiency and safety, the wireless remote control unit is laid out in the same format as the controls in the operator cab. Marine Travelift provides important mechanical back-up in the event the transmitter is damaged.

Prior to the boatyard''s April 8 opening, the Santa Cruz Port District focused on training and testing with the new Marine Travelift 50 BFMII mobile hoist for roughly three weeks. Ekers said the machine has proven its worth by hauling out the port district''s small dredge, its water taxi and its safety patrol boat for service.

“The operators and observers have been thrilled with the ease of operation and safety features,” she commented. “Operators have been able to easily make minor adjustments to working parts during the break-in period, and they''ve found the reference materials and logs to be very useful and understandable.”

Marine Travelift remains involved as a valuable partner and resource for the Santa Cruz Port District team, with whom Johnson continues to work closely.

“This is an ongoing partnership, one that will last for the entire life of the machine,” he explained. “That''s why we encourage visits to our manufacturing facility, it''s why we spend so much time at our customers'' facilities, and perhaps most of all, it''s why we work so hard to make sure our machines are customized to meet the customers'' exact needs... and hopefully exceed their expectations.”