Suspenz Ceiling Hoister

This product is well made and works very well, but be very prepared to do a lot of preparations and customizations. It’s more of a DYI kit rather than a complete solution.The first thing to know is that if you follow the installation diagram, then you need horizontal ceiling space, or else the kayak won’t come all the way down. I modified the setup to create more horizontal space. Secondly, I didn’t use 2x4s. This allowed me to bring the kayak much closer to the ceiling. And thirdly, I didn’t use the metal buckles. You can imagine that there was a lot of trial and error and buying of custom parts and lots of work, but the result is very rewarding.Also, the locking mechanism isn’t easy to use. I stand on a ladder and use gloves to unlock it (push and hold) and lower the kayak. When the kayak is out, I don’t pull the extra line. Rather, I fold it and lock it into the climbing anchors, which I attach to the metal piece. It’s out of the way, which allows to operate the garage when the kayak is not there.

I like how it does exactly what it says it would do on the description on Amazon. You kind of have to do a little bit of thinking because the instructions seemed slightly vague. But once you get going it goes together really smooth. Just make sure your lead from where the parted blocks anchors to the top plate doesn't exceed too far to the front board where the rope collector sits above your kayak or canoe. I had to buy longer paracord to make it work.

Not the easiest to install, but that is because most of the dimensions you have to customize for your boat. Otherwise an excellent hoist system.

After trying another, much cheaper, brand of kayak hoist also sold here on Amazon, I decided to spend more and get a whole lot more. Ease of hoisting and lowering, safety, and security. These are the positive characteristics of the Suspenz Ceiling Hoister (90#), that were sorely lacking in the Rad Sportz model.When suspending something as heavy and large as a kayak overhead, the foremost consideration should be safety. Three factors that influence the safety of a hoist are the quality of the installation mounting (which is up to the installer), the tensile strength and durability of the rope, and the quality of the hardware (pulleys, mounting brackets, and especially the brake, or rope stopper. In the case of the Suspenz Ceiling Hoister, all the pulleys are Harken brand ball-bearing, and the stopper is a very effective cam-cleat. This cleat completely secures the single lifting line when raising, and releases smartly when you want to lower your boat. And the supplied block-and-tackle system makes raising and lowering very controlled and easy to accomplish. The contrast between this unit and the substandard Rad Sportz model I tired first, could not be greater. Pay the extra money and get a well-engineered and beautifully executed system you can count on.

PROS:* Allows me to easily raise my Hobie Pro Angler 12 (100+ pounds) to the roof of my garage.* Plenty of rope length for any height of garage.* All ropes and pulleys pre-strung and ready to install.CONS:* A bit of a learning curve regarding installation. A "How-To" YouTube video would be awesome. Still, I ain't no mechanic and I was able to figure it all out and install it on the first go.CONCLUSION:A great hoist. Block and tackle really takes the strain out of hoisting a heavy kayak. I had the RADD sports hoist, and this is a HUGE improvement!Definitely recommend. BTW, I got the 200-pound capacity unit.

Finally got this up It did take 2 of us several hpurs to get it up because we went side ways with the pully . If I thought I could have pulled up 90 lbs I would have gone with the heaver one but I can pull up 50lbs with no problem

Directions good but don’t address different ceiling joist spacing. They assume 16” centers. A ranch home may have 24” spaced rafter trusses. A little pricy but should last. Certainly works good. Should state mechanical advantage of pulley system not just lift rating.

With a little adjustment of the rope & strap lengths, the kayaks are able to be lifted flush to the ceiling. 2 12' kayaks in a single bay garage (storing over the door was the only space available). Using the rope organizer to reverse the direction of the lifting ropes allows the kayaks to be lifted to a 10' ceiling without needing additional ceiling space (rope organizer is 10'6" from the wall).