Application: Tugboat Antenna Mast Hoist System
Customer: Blount Boats Inc.
Location: Warren, RI
Hoist Model: Columbia HD2000-1A34-L-01 with VLS-3 Vertical Lead Sheave
Performance:
- Line Pull: 2,000 pounds
- Line Speed: 11 feet per minute
- Wire Rope: 18 feet × Ø3/16″ stainless steel with hook
- Power: 120 VAC / Single Phase / 60 Hz
Special Features:
- IP55-rated motor for saltwater protection
- Stainless steel parts and wire rope
- Gray epoxy coating for rust resistance
- Vertical lead sheave for directional change
- Cable tensioning plate
- Wall-mounted control
Why APPI:
When Blount Boats Inc. designed a new tugboat for the New York Power Authority, they needed a specialized marine hoist to solve a navigation problem. The boat’s antenna mast had to fold down to pass under low bridges and narrow overhangs. Working in New York’s saltwater environment meant this marine hoist needed special corrosion protection.
Blount Boats contacted Allied Power Products, Inc. (APPI) to create a reliable marine hoist solution. Through working together, Blount Boats and APPI’s team reviewed the specific needs: lifting about 1,500 pounds, moving roughly 6 feet up and down, and using a motor rated for wet, salty conditions.
After considering the options, they determined the Columbia HD2000 marine hoist with a vertical lead sheave would work best for this job. The combination of water protection, performance, and duty cycle made this marine hoist the right choice.
Key features of this marine hoist system include:
- Marine-Grade Motor: A 1/2 HP sealed motor with an IP55 rating protects against saltwater spray and moisture—critical for reliable performance on the water.
- Corrosion-Resistant Materials: Stainless steel parts and wire rope, along with a protective epoxy coating, defend against saltwater corrosion.
- Vertical Lead Sheave: A bronze-bushed steel pulley allows the wire rope to change direction smoothly, letting the marine hoist mount in the best location while keeping the rope properly aligned.
- Tested and Verified: The system was tested at the factory and then rechecked on the boat to ensure it worked correctly.
This custom marine hoist system provides several benefits:
- Better Navigation: The tugboat can now travel under bridges with low clearance, opening up more routes and operational areas.
- Safer Operation: Operators raise and lower the mast with a single button press, reducing injury risk.
- Less Maintenance: Marine-grade construction helps reduce downtime and keeps the marine hoist working reliably in harsh saltwater conditions.
By installing APPI’s Columbia marine hoist system, Blount Boats improved the New York Power Authority’s fleet’s capability. The marine hoist’s purpose-built design, developed through collaboration between Blount Boats and APPI, ensures safe and efficient mast operations in challenging coastal waters. To read a bit more about the tugboat, check out this link.
For more information about this marine hoist for tugboat applications or any of APPI’s other specialized marine products, please contact Allied Power Products, Inc. With over 40 years of experience in providing custom winches, hoists, capstans, and cranes, APPI remains a trusted partner in the marine and maritime industries.
