HydroHoist help
 

I need help with this one. I have just set up a new slip in the Hammond Marina, just south of Chicago Il. I would like to get a lift for my slip. The marina will only allow the HydroHoist and I have priced the new ones. I met the factory rep at the Chicago boat show and per him for the one I need it is $14,100.00 installed at the "boat show price" sounds like a lot to me, but I don't know. I have looked on the net for anything set up the way I need it but nothing. Is the a way to get a deal on one of these things or am I just going to find a used one? per the rep here is what I need..

1) I need a "b" model attaches to only one side of the pier
2) 12,000 lbs capicity
3) set up for a 1999 35ft fountain single step 8,600 lbs dry


I know this is old news to most out there but it's new to me and I am looking for advise.

p.s. anyone know of a good used one set up like this???

Re: HydroHoist help
 

Some times you can find a used one.It should not be hard to set it up for your boat.Expect to pay as little as $4000.00 for an older one and approx. $8000 ish for a newer one.Price obviously depends on how new and condition.That is just a ballpark based on used hoists I have seen over the last several years.

Re: HydroHoist help
 

Bob,
Here is a used one in the OSO classifieds check it out I don't know anything about it just ran across the ad yesterday and read your post.

Description:
15000# Hydro Hoist cleaned and winterized on land everyyear,new motors, gfi, well maintained set up now for 45' sonic, 5 years old ,$8000.00 OBO CAN GET DISSASSEMBLED/ No reasonable offer refused !

Ad Number: 3547

Price: $8000 obo

First Name:

Last Name:

Phone: 516-662-5631

Phone 2:

City: Islip

State: NY

Length: 38'

Make: HYDROHOIST

Model: 15000#

Capacity: 15000#

Re: HydroHoist help
 

i HAVE ONE!!! CALL ME 843-249-1000. YOU CAN HAVE IT FOR 4k.

Re: HydroHoist help
 

The above info is right on target!
I paid 5K for mine but it was an older style and had some repairs on the tubes and a single motor.
I have had to reinforce the tubes where the bunks attach to them this seems to be a problem with all of them and is an easy repair. I also repainted the bunks (epoxy) and the tubes (anti-fouling) and all the metal with cold galvanize. This made it look new again.
I have helped a friend tear one down and transport it on a boat trailer about 200 miles to it's new location so this is also a possibility.
With all that said the one for 8k or best offer sounds pretty good :cool:

Or of course the one listed while I was typing for 4K :drink: (lol)

Re: HydroHoist help
 

Why do so many marinas not allow HydroHoists? I too talked to the rep at the Chicago show and he had no answer. Is it a liability issue??? I do not understand!

I live in the north suburbs of Chicago and have no easy solution to this. I do know that Shorgren has his lift available in Waukegan (grandfathered in), but this is too much of a risk for me, in that the marina could nix the deal at anytime.

Re: HydroHoist help
 

Best guess is they are not the most attractive thing sitting next to some guys sailboat. The other issue is that they need deep water.

Re: HydroHoist help
 

That is a lot of lift for a 35'. I have a friend who is taking one out this week-end that wants to sell it. It is a 14000# I believe. I think he wants $6,000 for it or may take less. It is in great shape. It is now a 4 arm which attaches to the dock but we are here in Oklahoma where Hydro hoist is located so getting it converted by the factory should be no problem.Call or PM me if you interested.
Michael Craig
918-231-9013

Re: HydroHoist help
 

You can look for a smaller rated lift. My 10K lift does a great job on my 32'. My buddy has the exact same 10K lift under his 35'Cig Cafe, and I assume it wieghs more than the 35' Fountains. But you can always upgrade to a bigger boat with a 12k lift. :D We bought 3 lifts 2 yrs ago, cash and carry, and assembled and installed them ourselves. Not really hard, just BIG.

Re: HydroHoist help
 

[QUOTE=Boomer 880]Why do so many marinas not allow HydroHoists? I too talked to the rep at the Chicago show and he had no answer. Is it a liability issue??? I do not understand!

Maybe not want any holes drilled in the docks to install.?????

Re: HydroHoist help
 

I'm sure there are a number of reasons why marinas won't allow Hydro-Hoists. Drilling holes in the dock is certainly one of them. I had one marina refuse me before mine (side tie) found a home in 2000.Just one person's opinion, but I don't think liability is their concern. If something happened to my hoist they'd probably tell me it's my problem. But who knows in these crazy times.

Re: HydroHoist help
 

Most marinas do not know exactly how they work.They envision the dock going down with the hoist or some other crazy problem.My marina told me no untill I dragged them down to see one.Once they saw it,they allowed it. Drilling holes in the dock was the least of their concerns.

Re: HydroHoist help
 

For what it's worth, the Marina where I have my Hydro-Hoist explicitely states in the rental contract that absolutely no holes are to be drilled in their aluminum docks. The Marina that refused me was well aware of what Hydro-Hoists are. They had the Hydro-Hoist for Mark Rueckwalds 50 Hustler (he also put his Skater on it) and one of their top guys worked on all of Jim Leonardo's boats (Extreme Exhibit,etc). They knew exactly what they were but didn't want another around for whatever reason.

Re: HydroHoist help
 

Would a hydro-hoist work in a strong cross current? We have a nice pier with a 30 ft section I always tied cruisers to. The water is 5+ ft deep and slopes down quick. The problem is the tide swings 3 ft from low to high and the current is fast right where the boat sits. The hoist and boat would have to be positioned broadside to the current. Would it work in this situation?

Re: HydroHoist help
 

Thanx to buyafountian.com we may be on to something has anybody ever but tried to reassemble a used one, I am concerned about getting parts if thing do not work after sitting?????

Re: HydroHoist help
 

H/H will sell the individual parts. But be prepared, they are proud of their pricing. Finda used one, then add the needed parts from HH to convert to your application, then decide if it is still a good deal.

Re: HydroHoist help
 

thats what i am worried about if i get it here and it dosen't work. i have never delt with these thing i am begining to tell myself that i just worry to much

Re: HydroHoist help
 

At 1st My buddies and I thought what the hell did we get into by buying them unassembled. But just because of the size of the tanks. These are bigger on land than in the water. We assembled them on the trailers we picked them up because of the tanks themselves. I think around 800 lbs apeice for ours. Not something you just toss around. I used a large bobcat trailer. But once we started in on them, really a peice of cake. Totally assembled them at our homes, leaving the swing arms off for delivery (total 12' wide). Did the final assembly at the marina parking lot, then back the trailers in and floated them off. Pulled them to our slips with a SeaDoo. We saved $2500 each by doing it ourselves. Do it again without a second thought.

Re: HydroHoist help
 

If you want to buy a very nice pre-owned HydroHoist that will work great with your boat, call Greg at 513-276-0221. Greg purchased a larger boat and only used it one year. Tell him that Tom told you to call.

Re: HydroHoist help
 

US1 what the heck is that thing? who makes it?
All the Hydrohoists I've seen look similar to this.

Re: HydroHoist help
 

Not that much to one make sure the air pump runs and were it pivots isn't worn out most of the parts you can get at a hardware store just make sure it is level when you install it and put on new hoses.

Re: HydroHoist help
 

Bob

When I bought my lift it was disassembled and in the parking lot at Hammond Marina. I hired a couple of the local experts to help me put it together and launch it. Its more than I need but lifts the boat nicely and I can go bigger in the future and not have to retool. :D

Re: HydroHoist help
 

Bob-

pics coming this morning. Got caught up in a deal last night. Sorry!!

Re: HydroHoist help
 

I picked up a used one last year for $4k - side tie unit - works great - on my '99 35 Fountain.

Re: HydroHoist help
 

That would be a Poylift. I think they are made in Mo. Structurally same as a HH but the tanks are made of some type of plastic. Over an inch thick I believe. I have had both and think the plastics are alot stronger.

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I think the Hydrohoists with the white walkways along the top of the pontoons are like 10 years old at least. I looked at one last summer and called Hydrohoist in OK to ask about it. They said stay away from it - the walkways tend to break when you walk on them(!?!?). I ended up finding a used 10,000 lb unit for $4K. plus 1500 or so to transport & install.

Re: HydroHoist help
 

They changed the walkways from fiberglass to plastic. As far as I know they are still white. The fiberglass walkways can get soft but are easy to repair especially if your saving big$$$ over the cost of a new lift.
BTW my lift pictured above is old and never had to do anything with the walkway other than paint them.

Re: HydroHoist help
 

Okay educate me. Are you drilling the docks as a means to secure the "pontoon" to the dock? If so, why not tie it off to the cleats?

What kind of power is used to operate the pumps?

Who did the transport and install for $1500?

I see the one on the Bob cat trailer, but how would one normally transport or yank it out of the water for cleaning/maintenance?

buyafountain.com do you have pics of yours? how old?

What are the cons of having one of these, especially when used in saltwater/tidal conditions?

I think that about covers it, thanks in advance... :D

Re: HydroHoist help
 

.
Actually it is a Galva Lift, but the same as the Polylift. We stopped where the Polt lift was made and talked with the owner 2 yrs ago when we were looking to purchase 3 lifts at a group price. He used to work for Galva-Lift, but went out on his own. Thus why both brands look identicle. Our dealer is only 1 hr from home, vs MO's 4 hrs. I agree on the tanks. NO WAY will mine be punctured. Seen to many H/H FG tanks repaired to even consider them. PLus Galva Lift has additional bracing over H/H. I feel it is a better product for less $$.

Re: HydroHoist help
 

The mounts bolt to the docks, not the pontoons. Some just clamp :rolleyes: The have to be secured because of the weight when they are down. Cleats won't hold them from going to the bottom.

A simple air pump is all it takes to operate these. Kinda like a heavy duty bilge blower. They don't work off pressure, but by displacing the water with air. They move alot of volume.I bet there is no more than a few pounds of pressure in the tanks,if that. You could actually raise your boat out of the water by blowing in the tanks yourself, if you don't die from getting light headed first. PLus it will take you a LONG time. :D

Re: HydroHoist help
 

If you are not allowed to bolt onto the dock, then maybe this is a solution.
www.airdock.com

Re: HydroHoist help
 

any word on the e-mailed pictures???

Re: HydroHoist help
 

coming now. 10:46 AM

Re: HydroHoist help
 

sent

Re: HydroHoist help
 

back to square one the pictures do not match the hoists in the marina, won't work in hammond anybody have a line on a "HYDROHOIST"......

Re: HydroHoist help
 

dammmmmmm!!!!!!!!!

Re: HydroHoist help
 

May be worth an offer :cool:

Re: HydroHoist help
 

I have a 15,000 pound hoist, it is the newer style with the plastic walkways. I am in CT. Let me know if you are interested.

Re: HydroHoist help
 

Hydrohoist on Gramd Lake in Oklahoma phone number is 918 256 8775 ask for Bret he runs the place. Tell him the Rare Breed boat guy told you to call him. They are not a dealer, they are Hydrohoists factory outlet for our lake. Bret has taken very good care of all us OSO members that boat on our lake.