Boat lift
 

5 years ago I bought a hydraulic boat lift. Have had issues with a muddy bottom and keeping the boat level. Now compounded with constant changing water levels and a very poor service in the area, I’ve decided to look at floating lifts. I’m looking at Jet Dock, Harbor-hoist and Sunstreams Float Lift. Any opinions?

Thanks

hello,,,
keep a post going on what you find..
i looked at several companies , requested quotes.

I have the 10.5k Sunstream. I actually have two of them, they work great and are low maintenance. https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...575187bec4.jpg

My 242SS sits on an "Econo-Lift" and there are 2 ea. 400SS in the marina on Econo-Lifts as well. Actually most lifts in the marina are this brand or they are Hydra-Hoist.
You will love them.

Harbor hoist all the way very easy low maintenance auto lift and submerge the boat stay level

soft bottom
 

If you want to try and keep the hydraulic lift, I've heard of people using a mesh "screen" - similar to trampoline material - or even screened fencing under the legs.

I don't know how big your lift/boat combo is, but we live on a lake with a marrow bottom and for our ski boat I cut the ends off 55 gallon drums and filled them with concrete & our lift legs sit on those pads. A larger version of that might work ? I put eyebolts in the sides so I could tow and position the pads to where they needed to be.

I considered floating lifts for our big boat but ended up having Manning Marine put bigger "feet" on the 20K lift they built for us.

There's just something about floating lifts I couldn't make myself trust but I've never had any experience with them either.

Good luck
s

Where are you at now? You used to be at Skipper buds correct?

Airberth, lower cost to purchase, no hydraulic to deal with, no metal parts.

Keith, Ron "1989Mach1" (on here) with the 33' Donzi over at Castaway Bay has a floating lift. Go look at his, not sure if you know him. that may help you decide?

It's the boat with blue on it and checkered flag style graphics towards the aft. I think he's on the end of B or C dock. You can see it from the road.

I have a 13K sun stream and love it.
use it in new england salt water, and leave it in year round. Ive had it for 5 years, and the only maintenance I have had to do is add water to the batteries, and a gallon on hydraulic fluid this year.https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...8f744de7e3.jpg

Sunstream
 

Contacted Sunstream and they sent me the contact information for the dealer in my area. I've dealt with this dealer before and the service is not good. They last thing I want is a dealer who doesn't respond. Months ago,at the boat show, I requested from his information on the lift and never heard. I already gave him a down payment to move and level my existing lift. Finally got that done and soon as I put the boat on the lift the lift shifted. Emailed Sunstream and they called me, I called back the other day. We'll see what happens.

Boat weighs about 10,500 lbs. and sits on 18,000 lbs lift. They said they put 3x3 sacrificial pads on the bottom of each leg.
Neighbor has an older Harbor Hoist and as far as ultimate boat protection and accessibility seems like a good viable option.

I got a price on the Harbor Hoist and very reasonable. Waiting to see what Sunstream comes up with.

A very important factor is low maintenance. For lift maintenance, It cost about $2,000.00 every time just to get a barge out. Get's expensive after awhile. Let's see if Sunstream comes up with a price.

Habor hoist and airberth 2 different companies.

Even when the water back there was low none of us at castaway had a problem with the hydrohoists and the maintenance on the hydrohoists are not that bad. 4 ball valves two small blowers and some rubber hoses. The older ones can be patched if they leak. I just had a big patch done on mine from where someone hit it with there swim platform and made a big hole. Hydrohoist now has the poly tubes and aluminum framing but for a 12k side tie like mine run around 20 to 25 thousand.

Used ones can be bought for 4k and up just have to keep your eye out because when they pop up they sell quickly

I am in fresh water but I have a second hand Hydro Hoist and it has been mostly maintenance free. A couple of air pumps in 10 yrs. It is 18K.
Friend built it in 2002 I think, for his T/S Gun. He also had a 47 Lightning on it with no problem. it is the fiberglass tubes.
Now they are a poly or something and much nicer.

Thanks for all the input. Going with Harborhoist.

Old thread but...
I’m looking for a lift for a river/lake place in north idaho. Here in fl 99% of the lifts are cable hoist with pilings like in this pic.
They are what I’m used to and seem to be the best value in terms of capacity per $$.
Why are they not widely used in the north or west?
https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...10cb6cce8.jpeg

In the North, possibly due to ice jacking of the pilings? I have a new IMM on the way to replace my 18 yr old Magnum

I think it might be a permitting issue. The pilings are considered permanent and might even deduct from the allowable dock sq footage, which usually gets maxed out before the lift is considered.

In clear lake everybody uses timber pilings and cable lifts like Florida, more slings than cradles here due to skinny water which is why you don’t see hydrohoists.

our extended fam has a place on LOTO, with a hyrohoist. They are $$ but I would never use a cable lift If I had deep enough water for a hydro hoist style (hinged). I don’t know why Florida doesn’t use them in protected canals and harbors, I would guess water depth.

The states environmental agency/laws could be a problem with fixed pilings and possible dredging.
HOA's = NIMBY

Could be something like that, I’ll find out tomorrow. Just don’t want to send something out there and find out later it’s unusable for some reason. I have a semi trailer load of irrigation equipment going from FL to ID in two weeks and have room to include a cable lift, just need someone to set the pilings later.

This is why I love Idaho.
A single 3 minute call to Dept of Lands, no permit needed if lift is within footprint of the dock.
if you choose to go outside the footprint it’s 400$ and 2 wk process time. He sounded apologetic about the process time. Type of lift not an issue.

Yeah the elevator lift is bad azz

Here the lake elevation level rises and lowers way to much(12'+-) to make a fixed piling lift. Whole dock floats with water level

Same here. Im about maxed out on a cable lift floating dock. When I upgrade boats ill have to go to some sort of hydro style lift.

The river out there stays at the same level May- Oct 1. Then it’s dropped about 8-10’ but way too cold by then.