If you insist on keeping boat in water then at least get something with outboards and with a painted bottom. No point in waisting money by buying a used boat that has been maintained well out of the water and then destroying the value by leaving it in the water.

You have to prorate the cost of the lift against the transom/ stringers that will need replacing..

Also, if the water you are keeping the boat in has tannins or the like, it is very possible to get a scum line stained right into the gel

We had a 357 Formula in Lake Michigan for one season. I would go to the ramp every two weeks early in the morning and pull it out to clean the bottom. After the first season I said never again. If I am going through all that, I might as well just pull it out or get rack storage.

I couldn't do it. Definitely not with a Cig. Buy a beater and just abuse it. I definitely wouldn't buy something nice to let the hull blister or soften or the seats to rot and tear.

Don't do it, you will be sorry. Buy a trailer or use a marina with in/out service.

sunstream boat lift or even an air dock before leaving it in water

Oh yeh we have a good amt if large boats. Tons upon tons of all size boats. And then some more. Lots of late 80’s and 90’s boats still around, tied to docks all season that have been doing this since new. We seem to be one of the Formula capitals of the country. Lol.

Few things why so left at docks probably: tons if coves and bays. So not a whole lot of rough areas. Those people build break walls , use lifts, or etc.

And our season is just about 3 -4 months, however thise with docks usually have boats in the water for just about 5 months. For those keeping boats somewhere for winter, Marina’s put these in first and take out last.

I’ve been on this lake most of my 52yrs.

I can only vouch for here.

You’re mileage may vary.

I looked at a 38 Donzi ZR in the Northeast 3 years ago that sat in the water all summer and had for a few years. The paint at the water line and below was blistered so bad the estimates were $10k+ for repairs not to mentioned the assorted scrapes and scratches where something had come loose and it banged against the dock. If you are spending $100k+ on a boat do everything you can to protect it spend the money on a lift, set a few Adirondack chairs down the water to enjoy the view.

any idea of which model of Sunstream? Cant find a large one on their website

not sure, i think you are different on a lake. i live on saltwater