Using a Boat Lift

[chess]

Can any of yall give me any negatives of using a boat lift.
I called my local marina and have a killer deal that I can get in on right now and I planned on checking it out tomorrow.

Its a boat lift that will hold my sx230.

Obviously I'd need some kind of power inverter if I wanted to run a trickle to the batteries as it has the big power plugs for yachts ? Anyone have any experience with that ?

Also, do you guys keep your drain plugs in ?

Any other tips or suggestions before I drive out to check it out.

Thanks

 

[Derek Fosbury]

the only negative I can think of for my boat lift is having to take it out and put it back in each fall and spring... Those suckers are not light!!

 

[Ilmmct]

Drain Plug in, Bilge on and Batteries on a Tender ...

 

[Murf'n'surf]

There are no cons to a lift! You probably have a 50amp outlet on the dock so you'll need a 50amp plug to 120volt converter like shown in the link. With this plug converter you can plug in an extension cord and run normal 120v items. It could be a 100amp outlet but I doubt it -- 100 amp socket is about the size of your fist. Post some pics if you need more help.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/like/222078...7290-0%26rvr_id%3D1058916324224&ul_noapp=true

 

[BobJohnson]

the only negative I can think of for my boat lift is having to take it out and put it back in each fall and spring... Those suckers are not light!!

Stupid question maybe but why do you have to take them out of the water in the winter? Water get inside posts and freeze then crack posts? maybe just answered my own question.

 

[Gym]

I just put my SX230 on a lift this season. The few negatives I've noticed is fueling. I now have to fill fuel jugs and super siphon into the boat. Putting on the mooring cover is a bit tricky if you don't have walk around access as I don't. That was also a $600 purchase as my trailer able cover wouldn't work on the lift. The last concern is washing the boat. Yes, I can get the boat brush and soap but can't give it as good a cleaning as on the trailer. All in all the pros of a lift far outweigh the negatives especially since mine is free. I also don't miss the drama at the ramp.

 

[Derek Fosbury]

Stupid question maybe but why do you have to take them out of the water in the winter? Water get inside posts and freeze then crack posts? maybe just answered my own question.

not just that, it would destroy the whole thing with ice shifts. Three winters ago our concrete piers on our wet slip boat house were caved in from the pressure of the ice shifting. Those piers were several tonnes each!!

 

[chess]

@Murf'n'surf
thanks man i will buy one of these.... i figured its to easy for me nto to do it... its 110 a month for a lift thats 10 minutes from me....

Using this would be okay as a battery tender ?
PulseTech Xtreme Charger X2 100X200 X2

I was gonna buy that as alot of people rave about this...


I figured keep the drain plug in... wasnt sure that i needed to keep the bilge on... but the above should do fine if I keep it on... im assuming batteries need to stay on as well or ?

 

[BigN8]

The only negative I can think of after having my boat on a lift for 6 years is the anxiety I get when I see it on the trailer! It's hard to explain. It just freaks me out to trailer it anywhere now after having it in a Marina since I have owned it.

 

[2nazt]

@chess you could hardwire to battery with an inline fuse to keep the switchs off if needed. Or install a second on a float switch hard wired to only cycle when needed instead of every 2.5 minutes.

 

[Murf'n'surf]

I don't know anything about that brand of charger. I've always stuck with ProMariner chargers for about the same price.

Battery switches off while not in use.

If you keep the boat fully covered, there's no need to keep a bilge pump on. I'm sure you will see the boat often throughout the boating season to ensure the cover is on and all is well. If you're storing without a cover I would then install a secondary bilge pump with float switch, wired straight to a battery.

 

[Ilmmct]

To clarify my comment before ... When the cover is "off" I have the bilge on ... As
Murf'n'surf indicates no need to leave the bilge on when covered.

 

[Julian]

Check with @ChargerGuy he has great on board chargers....just got a Guest Dual bank charger from him.

 

[Ryan Cassidy]

No real con's to a boat lift... Looking at mine and using it for 6 years...

Walk around access is very helpful to put the cover on.
Use "Fuel Jugs" from VP Racing (on Amazon) that will make fueling 10x easier.
I like that I can keep the boat on a charger and I've only removed my drain plug twice in 6 years of ownership. neither time did any water come out.
I don't have to take my boat or lift out for the winter so that's nice. Boat hasn't been out of the water in 3 years! taking it out this fall for a good polish though.
Trailer storage could be an issue as now you have to still find a place for it.
but being able to just let the lift down, hop in the boat when we want is a HUGE convenience for my family.

 

[Nick Hughes]

Im on a waitlist for a lift at my marina, but they do not remove them during the winter. In fact many store their boats on them even in the winter, usually older pontoons. This is in central Ohio. But anyways, my marina puts a ton of bubbling aerators in the water all winter. So the water doesn't freeze, if thats an option.

 

[Island Jay]

Got a charger question? Let me know and I will be happy to help. Just need to know the make and model of the batteries.
My chargers start at $50 and I have high end models at $112-$135.
thanks!

 

[Julian]

Love our airdock....any lift would be awesome. Makes boating easier....anything that does that has to be good...right?

 

[Matt Phillips]

Here's a DIY I did on a solar charger with a fused switch.

https://jetboaters.net/threads/solar-battery-charger-install-w-pics.3414/

This may work for you.

 

[zelone]

2nd season with Airdock and I will never go back to trailering! I used to keep the boat in the slip all weekend, and trailer home during the week for cleaning and refueling, but now it stays on the Airdock and I fuel up on the water. Do you have access to fuel on the water? I'd hate to carry 50 gallons of fuel down the dock.

 

[cozilla]

I keep mine on a Hydrohoist at the marina in my neighborhood . Takes a ton of the stress out of boating. I keep it on the lift all year long. I have 3 5 gallon fuel cans that use to fill up the boat when needed. Way cheaper than filling up on the water.