Questions You Must Ask Before Boat Lift Modifications
How do you decide if you will leave your boat out of the sea? The location of your boat can require an elevated boat lift. Boat lifts help keep you out of the sea better than being tied to an anchored ship. This can reduce your worries about having to cover the boat after a single use. Many people buy lifts to help protect their boats from marine growth and discoloration. But there are a few questions you must ask before any boat lift modifications.
When it comes to buying a new boat it can be hard to find the right boat lift to suit your situation. If the boat is damaged during the operation of the boat lift, it will be more efficient. Discover how boat lifts are helpful and how to find the best boat lift.
What is a Boat Lift?
Boat lifting devices lift your boat to a higher level from the water. Usually, the float of the boat can be suspended from the surface of the lake. Traditional boat lift uses an automatic lever mechanism that can lift the yacht, but many modern boat lift machines can be motorized for less effort.
Modern boat lifting makes the lifting of the boat easy. The popularity of these machines in the watersports industry means you probably used boat lifts before. In the early days, the use of lifts meant many people needed a job. The first lifts utilized cranes and davits to pull boats from the seabed, this process was complicated and costly. Some types of boat lifts are very tedious or nearly impossible to use on your own.
Cantilever Lift
With boat lift technology continuously improving, they’re a beneficial device for most boat owners. It’s the classic yacht lift most commonly used with recreational boat. If we think about boat lift chances are that it will pop into our mind. This crank is attached to the chain to lift the boat from the water.
These lifts will never be lost in style because they’re convenient and less expensive. A good reason for looking into cantilever boatlifts is their easy maintenance. They generally work well and require minimal attention for an extremely long duration. This lift is a disadvantage as it cannot take a boat over the water. This will raise the water to some level.
Floating Lifts
Floating Boat Lifts As the name suggests, float on the water next to a dock. If you are looking to purchase an underwater boat lift, a floating lift might suit you well. Several shallow water marinas are anchored on the floating dock, where passengers are allowed to slip. A floating lift would be useful for situations when it’s too deep for traditional lifts.
This boat lift utilizes large air reservoirs to lift the boats from the water. The simplicity works in places where boaters aren’t allowed to use another lift. They can be useful in locations with changing water levels too. You can always check if you think it’s the lift you want.
Hydraulic Lift
Hydraulic boat lifts are powered by a battery, allowing you to raise and lower your boat with the push of a button. Hydraulic lifting machines can also help with energy efficiency and quick lifts. The lifting system can be lowered without requiring you to turn the keys or press the button. The whole procedure is easy. This type of lift is great for lakes.
These are excellent wherever the weather doesn’t affect them. Hydraulic lifts also make it easier to avoid cable breaks or sinking your boat. Usually, these lifting boats have steel tubes and pistons. Another advantage of these lifts is that they are capable of lifting boats high into the water.
4-Post Conventional Lift
This lift is suitable for the storage of a yacht in areas with very strong weather. The sturdy post supports lifting and makes it remarkably durable. Occasionally six-8 posts must be added to keep the lift steady, which is possible in very intense weather.
This lift stands as it has no seawall or pier, making it perfect for certain spots. This is especially true for areas with frequent water moving from wind and currents. This lifting system can handle this situation very well. Community rules and regulations can significantly impact your boat lift decisions. Permitting is a process that will vary depending on where you live, but most boat lifts will need one before you can start construction and installation.
What Type of Hull Does Your Boat Have?
The construction, manufacture, and model of the boat can greatly affect the choice of bunking systems for your boat and the costs involved. Your boat could have an angled hull, flat-bottom hull, ve-shaped hull, pontoons, or multihulls, e.g. catamarans or trimarans.
Your boat might have been designed with pick points to safely move it. And the presence or location of through-hull fittings can vary significantly between boats. For example, a step in your hull can affect what position your boat is on the boatlift bunk.
Benefits of Boat Lift Modifications
The idea behind boat lifting is simple. The boat is raised over water. Even though it’s easy to install, a boat lift has important advantages. When comparing the advantages of using the boat lift consider these reasons to get the lift.
Prevention of Damage and Scratches
Many boats without lifts simply hold or anchor their boat on their boat docks or shore. Without the assistance of lifting the boat, rough water or tide changes might force the boat into the boat’s port.
In addition to cosmetic blemishes and scratches, your boat will also endure serious damage when the boat knocks on. Flood debris and snow that floats on the surface may cause scratches or scars. The boat lifting system provides you with stable support above the water and prevents your boat from falling over or swaying on a pier or other nearby structure.
Protection From Corrosion and Algae
If your yacht remains in the water for a long period, its undersides and any parts are vulnerable. Depending on the water depth, the boat will likely encounter barnacles or other unwanted aquatic life stuck inside the hull.
The algae and barnacles will require inconvenient cleaning and corrosion is slightly more serious and requires more intensive maintenance. Proper care and maintenance can be costly. Leaving the problem unaddressable can cause corrosion and algae build-up in your boat
Securing Your Boat
If you use a lift correctly, you can prevent a boat from sinking. The benefit gives you the absolute comfort of knowing you will be able to safely hold onto the ship when the boat is lowered to the dock.
What to Consider When Buying a Boat Lift?
Different boat lift types are perfect for specific boats or water conditions. The best boat lifting is dependent upon many factors. If you must buy an appropriate boat lift, consider these factors.
Flotation Tanks
In deeper waters, the flotation tanks are supportive and stabilized. Lifts are mounted to tanks and are used as a way to lift them. When using float tanks your boat lift should take into consideration the material. Metal tanks must always be avoided as they corrode and require replacement.
You can determine the necessary boat lift capacity by calculating the total weight of your boat. The total figure should include the boat’s dry weight, plus the weight of any outboard motors, boat lift accessories, your fuel and more.
Location and Structural Strength
The location of your boat lift will determine the structural strength that the boat will require. Each body of water has calm and rough areas, and certain parts of the water tend towards one of the others.
In most places rough waters are inevitably more worn and damaged, requiring more powerful equipment for a lift. In locations where water moves very quickly, waves are falling or the sea is generally rough, you’ll find boat lifts that have thicker structures. Stronger arms and bushings offer more protection and stability in rougher water.
Boat Size
It is important to consider your boat’s dimensions when purchasing a boat lift. You must ensure that the boat fits the anchorage well enough for you to support all the weight on the boat.
Some boat lifts can accommodate various kinds of boats and some of these are designed specifically for specific boats. For instance, pontoons generally need special lifts. Depending upon the model, your boat should consider both the dry weight added gears, fuel, and propellers. Listed here you can select the lift that suits your particular boat shape.
Depth of Water
Water depth can affect the speed and efficiency of your boat lifts. Sometimes the boat lift can be too far away from your boat, making it difficult to reach. The same applies to deep water, where some lifts will not raise the yacht high sufficiently. Find lifts designed to handle the water at low and very deep depths. In some cases, the water levels can increase or fall drastically making it difficult to locate the correct lift.
Conclusion
To conclude, we can say that although boat lifts are supposed to provide safety for your boat, there are still some things that you can do to make that happen even more effectively. The reason behind having such modifications done to your boat lift is that they provide extra durability for your boat lift as well.
FootHills Dock & Lift Repair offers a variety of boat and boat lift maintenance services. With the winter season approaching, you can rely on our services as we can effectively help you winterize your boat. We guarantee that your boat will retain its original condition after the season ends. We also provide lift removal, dock resurfacing, boat and dock maintenance, dock cleaning, and others. Contact us today and book an appointment!