How far apart / how high should I mount my AquaSlings?

Here’s a general instruction for mounting AquaSlings:

The screws are designed to screw into studs or masonry. If screwed into masonry you will need wall anchors for the screws.

If you are dealing with a finished wall (one which has drywall over studs) you may need to use a studfinder to locate where the studs are.

Choose a height that will allow you to lift your boat comfortably onto and off of the AquaSlings.  The padded straps should be mounted at a distance apart which does not allow the hull to touch the wall; see the diagrams below:

Viewed from above:

Viewed from one end of the boat:

Determine the correct height from the floor which will allow you to lift the boat in and out of the slings easily. Find a stud in the wall (or choose a point on a masonry wall) and mark this height. Now mark the same height on a stud (or the wall) which is the correct distance apart from the first point to allow the boat to hang without being tippy (too close together) or have the hull bump against the wall (too far apart). Note – you may choose to suspend your boat with the hull vertically aligned depending on the shape of the hull; see the diagram below:

Use the metal plate of the mounting brackets as a guide, and at the points you have chosen, mark where the holes will need to be drilled to attach the mounting plate to the wall.

If drilling into studs, drill pilot holes with a drill no larger than 3/16” (5mm). For masonry, select a drill size which matches the diameter of the wall anchors.

Before screwing the screws into the wall, lubricate the threads by pulling them through a block of candle wax, dripping dishwashing liquid on them, or spraying them with silicone spray. This will make it much easier to turn the screws.

Thread the screws through the holes in the mounting plates and screw them to the wall.