Slip Parking Orientation
 

Parking

For the people with lifts, do you prefer to back your boat in or pull it in forward? Ordering a left and trying to decide if one is better than the other.

Depends on the type of boat but most back in. Back in if you get on/off at the stern. If you get on/off on the sides then which ever you prefer. It does also helps to back in to keep an eye on the drives

it is a 35’ statement. So will be loading from back corner. But outboards will hold it off the dock.

In addition to AllDodge comment, it also depends on the type of lift and water depth. Backing over the lift to put the boat away and getting clear shot straight out is great but you need the water depth to safely submerge the cradle to clear the lower units EVERYTIME including summer low water levels (if applicable).

we back our 36 concept on the lift and board off back corner as well. I put walk way on lift and we set a step stool on platform to help get in and out of it, etc.

Depth isn’t an issue at our lake. They are quoting me an extra 2k to back in. I am doing 2’ of walk boards down both sides of the boat.

If its a hydrohoist its a rip off, but that is what they change. All it takes to lower it more is replace the arm ends. They slide out the the short ones and install longer ones.

I bought a used one, saved a bunch

I back in our Formula 370ss for the ease of entry. I drive our Skater straight in and board on the side of the back deck. Both at LOTO on floating lifts. Our Glacier Bay cat offshore boat on a cable lift in Florida I pull straight in and board over the gunwale. All of them work well. I would guess that backing in would be the best.

Be sure to consider the view if you "lounge" on the boat

Nose in due to depth of water (also consider clearing the cradle on the sand bottom) at lowest tide.

unfortunately our marina is a “hydro hoist dealer” so they mark it up 25 percent then tell us take it or leave it.

Similar here, it has to be hydrohoist because the marina gets a cut. Only way to cu cost is buy used and then they still get a cut from the installer. I almost installed my self (not hard) but just was to busy at the time.

8500 for a 15K hoist (fiberglass tanks and not a B model)
650 to install

that’s incredible! They won’t let us install a used one. Ridiculous right?

Wow, that is a racket. Guess if you bought one at another marina and was moving to theirs, they would say no, have to buy a new one

Good thing they don't say you have to buy your boat here also

you know I asked about another brand but I may not of asked about a used one. I’ll be asking the question Monday.

For a lift type of slip, I prefer to pull in. You can configure your dock and lift guide poles to place you precisely in the right spot, and you can even use the power of the props to hold you in place until. One of the guys here in Virginia has vertical SS and PVC posts at the nose in end of his slip, that are in a "V" shape. Since he is on a small river with a lot of tidal current at times, he noses in, and holds one of the drives/motors in forward just long enough for the lift to come up and hold the boat. Slickest setup I have ever seen.

Backing in, the lift has to go deeper. That means for cable lifts, it will take longer for the boat to settle on the lift. And there is always the potential for a mishap.

However, pending how your lift and dock is setup; backing in can/does provide you more theft protection for your props and lowers. I've seen/heard MANY stories where props were stolen off of boats hanging on a lift. But never when they were backed in; always facing out. And a few entire Bravo outdrives, and Bravo and other outboard lowers have been stolen off of lifts when facing out as well.

My 2 cents😄 Yes lift has to be deeper. Backing in intimidates some people. I’ve never done it with a single engine. I could make a UTUbe video. Play the wind I put 1 engine at a time until it’s straight back then shift 1 at a time. The trick is slow. No matter where you dock everyone is watching🙀 think about it one engine forward one in reverse just finesse it!

boat has a bow thruster also. That should make it easy. Also slip is 20’ wide and boat 10’

With everything you have posted, either way will work for you. The nicest thing about back in is the ability to clean the transom.
My lift is pull in, but I get waves and wind and I'm also putting a 8'4 boat into a 9'8 wide slip. I wouldn't want back in for my situation.

Also depends on the water depth and how rough it is, wind direction and the like. If you pull in and want to clean the transom, put on a work platform.

39 Cig CC here at LOTO, back it in, its a no brainer. Blows u have to pay that amount but the ease of cleaning the outboards and/or maintenance is worth the cost. Made a ramp that makes boarding easy. No regrets

thank you! going to try to find a used one! My marina wants 28k for a back in 14k lbs with 2 walk ways on each side.

Now the question is who’s going to sell me thier hydrohoist

Found mine on Craiglist in Illinois