FAQ
| Size and Weight Questions | Maintenance Questions |
| Specific Boat Types and Other Products | General Questions |
| Selecting your Boat Lift |
Size and Weight Questions [back to top]
What information would you need in order to put in a boat lift for me?
We would need to know:
1) the slip dimensions
2) boat type (pontoon, v-hull, etc.)
3) motor type (outboard, inboard, I/O)
4) boat weight.
I have a 3 person jet ski. What size jet ski lift would I need?
The weight of your jet ski, not the number of people it can carry, determines the size of
lift that you need. The dealership where you purchased the jet ski should be able to help
with the net weight.
How much does my boat weigh?
Boat weight varies greatly. The absolute best source is the dealer that sold you the boat
or the manual that came with the boat. The Boat Lift Company maintains some of this
information. Please contact us for specifics.
What is the maximum size limit on a low-profile lift?
The size of the slip might limit your maximum boat size, but almost any size boat can be
lifted with a custom designed low-profile boat lift.
Does my boat slip have to be a certain size in order to put a boat lift in it?
No. Each of our lifts are custom designed to fit your slip and boat.
I have a sailboat. Can a boat lift be designed for it?
Yes. Specific modifications like dropped rear cradle beams, keel supports, and custom
brackets can be used to accommodate most sailboats.
Why don't the boards on a pontoon lift have carpet?
The carpet can hold water against the pontoons and cause pitting of the aluminum.
Why would a cradle be better for my boat than a sling lift?
A cradle provides better hull support and eliminates the possibility of hull distortion.
I would like to have my boat slip cover built extra high to accommodate the
bimini top. Is this possible?
Yes, it is possible to build the cover to a specific height. However, many of the
homeowner's associations have their own specific height requirements. They often
prefer boat covers to be built no higher than 6 feet above dock level. Also, wind becomes
a major factor if built too high.
Selecting Your Boat Lift [back to top]
There are three basic types of boat lift, floating, low profile and overhead. The type boat lift selected for your boat depends on the type of facility where the boat will be berthed, a marina, a private slip or a roof covered (boathouse) slip.
If your boat is to be berthed in one of the floating marinas on Lake Conroe, a floating boat lift which supports the weight of the boat is to be utilized. This type of lift must be utilized as the floats of the marina are not designed to carry the weight of the marina, docks, marina cover and all the boats in the marina.
The floating boat lift consists of three basic parts, the tanks, the frame/dock brackets and the motor/blower. The /motor/ blower forces compressed air into the tanks expelling water causing the tanks, with boat aboard, to float raising the boat out of the water. The frame is attached to the tanks by metal bands and to the dock with clamps or brackets to maintain the float with boat aboard in position in the slip. The boat is lowered into the water, for use, by a operating valve which allows water to enter the tanks as the air escapes. The floating lift is the most expensive of the three types. The floating boat lift can be configured/reconfigured to accommodate “V” hull, personal watercraft or pontoon/tritoon boat types.
If your boat is to be berthed in a slip with permanent cover or boathouse, the probable choice will be the overhead boat lift. The overhead lift utilizes the sturdy pilings of the cover to hold the weight of the boat out of the water.
The overhead boat lift is composed of three basic parts, the overhead structure, motor/driveshaft/cables and cradle or slings. An electric motor of less than one and a half horsepower drives a gear reduction unit which turns a driveshaft on which the cables are wound lifting out of the water the slings or cradle upon which the boat is mounted.
Slings, straps woven from polyester, will support and cushion the boat when lifted out of the water. They stress the hull of the boat somewhat and are usually chosen due to their lower cost. A cradle consists of two galvanized “I” beams upon which are mounted carpeted “bunks” that support the hull of the boat when it is out of the water on the lift. Cradles offer little or no stress to the hull of the boat but, cost some five times that of slings. The overhead boat lift can be configured/reconfigured to accommodate “V” hull, personal watercraft or pontoon/tritoon boat types.
If your boat is to be berthed in an open slip, the probable choice to raise your boat out of the water after use is the low profile boat lift. Low profile boat lifts are of two types, above the dock and below the dock. The below the dock low profile boat lift is chosen prior to completion of the dock such that the pilings can be modified to receive the dock beams under the dock surface. Its advantage is an unobstructed dock right up to the edge of the slip. An above the deck low profile boat lift is chosen if the dock/slip is already constructed.
How often should I replace the cables on my lift?
Cables should be inspected before every use. Look for severe rusting and frayed or split cabling. If your cable is extremely rusted or has frayed spots, replace the cable. Replacing the cable at least every other year is recommend. It is more expensive to fix the boat if the cable breaks because of wear. REMEMBER: NEVER STAND IN THE BOAT WHILE THE LIFT IS IN OPERATION!
Do I need to maintain the motor or gears on my lift?
Yes. You can find zerk fittings on the gear plate on most lifts. Frequent lubrication increases the life of the motors and the gears. The Boat Lift Company recommends greasing boat lifts at least once every six months as a minimum.
How often should I grease and service my boat lift?
A new lift should be greased with the first few uses to help break in the drive unit.
Thereafter, it should be greased at least twice per year, more often with heavy use.
How frequently do I need to replace my slings?
Slings should have a red fiber sewn into the material to indicate the wear over time. If the red safety indicator in the slings is exposed, replace the slings. If tears are evident replace the slings.
Do I need stainless steel cable or galvanized cable?
Stainless steel is recommended.
Do slings pinch boats?
If upper pulleys can be properly spaced, slings provide adequate support. Frequently, boat house owners will get a new boat and never adjust the upper pulleys for any difference in size. Most people get larger boats over time. The result: the boat owner stores his or her boat inside a lift system that is too small for the boat. The result is pinching.
I would like to put a cradle in my overhead lift, but I've heard that I might not have enough water depth in my slip. How much water do I need?
18 to 24 inches minimum water depth is required, depending on the draft of the boat.