Boat Lifts
 

I'm looking at getting a lift for the shore house this summer. I don't know too much about them. I got a quote for a 12k lbs. cantalever for approx. $10,500 installed. I was also offered an identical used unit for $7500 installed. How do these #'s sound?

Sounds normal to me. Most lifts seem to run about $1 per pound of capacity for good quality.

lift
 

I built my own and have just a shade over $500.00 in it, trying to find a pic of it to post, hang loose, don't waste your money on a store bought one, any competent welder can make you one.

I was in the boat lift business for about 10 years and put in hundreds of lifts, sold the biz two years ago. The only way to go is Hi-Tide aluminum lifts. The best service bar none, at least from the factory. People have been begging me to get back into the business but I just don't have the time. If you're in the Navesink or Shrewsbury River areas you can get piles installed without a permit. If you're down south you'll need the permit. 4 post lifts are the best, the Hi-tide 4 post lifts have a 10 year warranty. If you want an elevator type, again Hi-Tide makes an all aluminum lift with a 5 year warranty. No rust so they always look good. You can come look at my aluminum lift, it's almost 8 years old and there are a few aluminum elevators that I installed in the Brick area. I can let you know where they are if you want to see them. Email me if you need a dealer, there are some good ones and some you should stay away from. What ever you do stay away from steel lifts!!!

If you go with the elevator type, cantalever, you MUST install a full disconnect switch. This includes all condutors including the ground. It is the only way the lift will last in salt water. You should also hang a few zincs off the lift. That will help, but without a complete disconnect you're screwed. My first lift lasted 3 years without the diconnect switch, well my neighbor with crappy electric service to his dock didn't help. That is now corrected.

In addition to my 4 post lift I have two elevator style lifts in my back yard. On one lift I used a 4 conductor twist lock plug, on the other I used a switch. I guess I should mention to wire the lift 220v. I required that for every lift I installed and have never had a motor failure. Again email me for detail on wire size. I haven't found an electrician in the area that sizes it right and figures in for voltage drop running the two motors.

Finally, get the remote with the lift. It's worth the extra bucks to have it. In 10 years I only sold one lift without a remote. I have the remotes on all my lifts inlcuding my little 1500lb lift with my 14' aluminum boat on it. Also, you should get the cat walk so you can wash the side of the boat that is away from the bulk head. Most manufacturers have them.

As far as the 12,000# lift, go with a 16000 so you can put just about any performance boat you want on it. Used lifts are very hard to sell and have almost no value, the only exception have been lifts that I have installed in marinas where people sell the lift with the slip.

I still have an old price sheet here, a 10,000# aluminum elevator is $6400 retail, a 14,000# is $8400. Remotes are about $500 and you can figure another $500 for the catwalk. Shipping usually runs $400 and installation should be another $1200. Remember this is a 3 year old sheet and I'm sure prices have gone up.

cradle lift
 

Don't know how much your boat weighs but, under 3500 pds, use 4" channel and 5/16 steel or stainless steel cable

Over 3500 pds use 6" channel and 5/16 stainless cable and compound the cables

Just make a rectangle frame outta the channel the length of the boat, with cross members for strength

Hang pulleys over head, two, one on each side, for every 10 foot of boat, directly above the outter frame

Hang a pipe down the center line of the dock over head, utilizing an ACE motor and plate, they come with directions

try to look at my pics and see how I did mine, if you want to try to tackle this yourself, I'll make a detailed scetch and mail it to you.

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I'm not familiar with a cantilevered left, or elevator lift, but the most popular here on the bay is a 2 motor lift like this one. On average you can get a 12k for about $5000 or less, plus $180 - $250 per piling. The basic motor and setup is identical on the 10K and up models but the cables are different. Prices you quoted just seem very high to me, shop it around or build your own. Grainger has the motors, welders can do the rest. Consider installing 2 if you have room, renting the other to pay for them both. :D

Nice setup Spectre. I like the roof too. No more boathouses or structures like that here anymore, unless you buy a property with one already grandfathered in.

Considering that most people load up the boat while it's still on the lift I'd shy away from building your own. If you have a failure and someone get's hurt you've got a problem. Also, some manufacturers like Hi-Tide have a 1,000,000 liability policy that covers your boat in the event of a failure. I've spoken to someone that overloaded their lift and the motor let the one side of the lift spin down. It only crushed the outriggers on the one side but the company paid the repair without a court struggle. Talk about service. I'm no longer a dealer or affiliated with the company in any way. I also couldn't count how many phone calls I have gotten from people that used cheap companies and were begging for me to come service their crappy lift. My reply to all was "The only thing I can do is replace it." That's about all they deserved after telling me "well company ZZ will do the same size lift for $2000 less." Just remember how much money you have hanging there, if it falls the cost will be a lot more then you would have spent on the lift.

BTW Hi-Tide builds them to over 120,000 lbs. Largest lift I installed was 40,000 lbs.

Here is a shot of a 120,000 lift. Check out the two guys sitting on the beam near the top of the pic. Now this thing is MASSIVE.



http://www.hi-tide.com/images/Rolift120-1.jpg

Show them the picture of Navesink

OMG Mr. Velocity!!! :WOW: I didn't see the guys until you pointed it out, that is simply incredible.

You offer up some very good advice and more options. I discovered a widespread disparity in pricing for the same lift, identical in brand. Not unlike other products and services we all research as consumers, we find there are companies competing for business and willing to install for less than others.

Great example for me last year was my full sunbrella material cover (on the boat above pic). Prices started at $2000, some wanted as much as $2400. Atlantic Canvas did that cover for $1500, saving me considerable dollars. Best advice for FatDaddy, "shop it around" after you decide on the type of lift, brand, etc.

I'll have to dig it out and scan it. It's been a while and a few more lifts have been installed there since the picture was taken.

For those that really want the untimate, Myco is making cradles for lifts now. They are the best.

Also, when you talk to a lift dealer make sure he understands how a boat is to be supported. Even most lift manufacturers don't understand this. The first time I lift a particular boat, brand and size, I always called the manufacturer to see how the bunks should be set. One thing that was universal is the transom must be supported by the bunks. Next time out on the water look how many are not supported correctly. The boat will develop a hook if not supported properly. Also most want the bunks to be under the lifting strakes so I always custom ordered the bunks square cut instead of the angle most put on them. Chocks, don't use them!!!!!

I'm freshwater and use tank lifts (Hydro-hoist). I like them fine.

The lifts you guys are using are just the coolest. You got the right idea for sure.

Hey guys, thanks for all the info. !st, I can't go w/ a 4 post b/c I only have 50 ft. on the lagoon and it may make getting in real difficult, so it appears that I have to go w/ the cantalever.
SpectreBoy, that's good advice, however, that project may be too much for me and quite frankly, it is probably more cost effect for me to have someone do the whole project.
Mr. Velocity, I would appreciate any dealer info. you can forward as well as the who to avoid list.

I don't know if this would be appropriate for your area, but I use a Hydro-Hoist verticle lift. The dock is a floater and I have 40' under it. The verticle lift lets me back the boat into the slip. Like Mr_Velocity said, MYCO is building cradles for lifts and bought one 'cause I didn't like the way the bunks were on the Hydro-Hoist. MYCO's cradle mirrors their trailers and it lifts the boat centered every time and have 10X's the support of the standard bunks. Good luck, it sounds as though you have some guys giving you real good advice :D .

Robert

The consistent quotes I've gotten here has been 5K including deep driven pilings with 10K lbs capacity. $10-12K in my mind is outrageous. continue shopping and consider doing it yourself minus pilings and electrical hookups...

I purchased a Magnum "S" boat lift from Boat Lifts Unlimited. I agree the Hi-tides are the best but you pay for them. I spent 3500 for a 8000lb lift with remote. I installed it myself. I added the extra long cables because of where I live on the Shrewsbury River (actually Branchport Creek). If I upgrade the cables to the next size it's good to 10000lbs. It is the best - works great with no probelms. Their support is great too. Bought it direct from them. They are based in MD.

Sold the Shooter, I now keep the 302 on it with no mods.

another closeup...

boat lifts
 

Bought a used 12000 lb. ,4 poster, that I saw while installed at original location for $2000. Cost another $2000 to have it moved to my site,purchase of (4)- 12" pilings and have them driven.It also incuded setting and assembly. Ran into trouble in Fl. hitting coral which can cost more.
(1) carefully inspect all steel work(if steel),pulleys,cables,drives,controllers etc. KNOW what you are buying.Remember it is used. There may be additional unforseen costs.Now is time to rehab, not after installed.
(2)Know what "extas" are with piling company
(3) Our area no longer "permiting" installation of used lifts.Check with your building code dept.
Had estimates of $7500-10500 for a 10000 lb.