Lifts help reduce boaters' stress and protect

Lifts help reduce boaters' stress
and protect their watercraft investments

By Jerome A. Koncel
Boat & Motor Dealer - July 2005

When boaters purchase new boats, personal watercraft, and other prized boating possessions, they have made a significant financial investment that they want to maintain and protect, making sure it looks in tip-top shape for maximum resale value. That's where boat lifts play an important role.

Most boat lifts are made of aluminum, designed to lift a boat or PWC out of the water so that it stays clean, and come in different types and sizes to fit the customer's needs. One of the oldest boat lift manufacturers, ShoreMaster Inc., which started out more than 33 years ago, divides its boat lift into different categories for the boaters; Floating boat lifts, standing boat lifts, PWC lifts, and boat lift accessories. There are residential lifts, commercial lifts, lifts for seawells, lifts for U-shaped floating dock systems, and fixed pier installations.

Purpose
Whether it's in shallow or deep water, freshwater or saltwater, boats can be stored on boat lifts to protect them from accumulating plant growth and algae. The boat lifts will protect the bottom paint, and maintain the boat's integrity by protecting it from passing boats and storms. In short, this equipment will lift the resale worries from the boater's shoulders.

Are boat lifts for every boat? The answer is "Yes," although the prevailing notion within the industry is that only small boats, that is, under 10,000 lbs. should be kept on boat lifts. Today's boat lifts can take care of boats weighing more than 100,000 lbs.

Boat lifts are made of galvanized steel and aluminum, with aluminum being the choice among most manufacturers. Some companies use both components in their manufacturing operations, noting that there are different benefits with both. ShoreMaster, for example, offers both aluminum standing and galvanized steel floating boat lifts in many sizes to fit most boats.

The Fergus Falls, Minn-based company claims that its solid, all-welded, aluminum construction on the standing boat lifts, works well in shallow water conditions. It notes that all pivot points on this boat lift are made with fitted bushing, to eliminate wear.

The all-aluminum construction is lightweight, easy to handle and maintenance-free. ShoreMaster lifts are available with full length bunks or V-cradles to safely hold the boat on the lift. The company notes that it bolts the lift components on, at all key points, to provide reduced stress points.

Standing aluminum units use break style winches, feature a larger diameter operator's wheel for easier lifting of the boat, and these lifts maybe used on either side of any dock or pier.

Functions
Vertical and cantilevered boat lifts are the most common type of boat lift for the northern United States, but they may also be called standing lifts. These lifts raise boats vertically out of the water using a winch/cable or hydraulic system. The owners of these lifts like them for their strength and ability to be taken out of the water during the winter months. This style of lift maybe used for boats, personal watercraft and pontoon boats.

Other options besides the standing lift include the floating lifts and the drive on lift.

Floating boat lifts use a series of tanks that go up and down depending on the amount of air in the tanks. The tanks ride the water, no matter if it's rough or calm. This is a great option for lakes that fluctuate or have soft bottoms.

Drive on PWC lifts are easy to use. Boater just power on and tie their watercraft off for the night, the season, or the year.

Choosing the right lift is not all that difficult. It takes some knowledge of the boat, some information from the manufacturer, and the dealer can recommend the proper boat lift to customers.

Market changes
When it comes to changes in the boat lift marketplace, Gary Johnson is very knowledgeable. As director of marketing for ShoreMaster, he keeps close track of happenings in this area.

"One thing we've seen is that as the population ages, more and more boaters are opting for electric boat lifts," Johnson said. He adds that the number of people who are not doing things manually is a growing, national trend. One other point of note in this area is that more and more boaters are also turning to remote controls for their motorized lifts.

In the northern climates, Johnson notes that there has been a definite move to make boat lifts more aesthetically pleasing and environmentally friendly. "In the colder Northern climates, boat lifts need to be easier to remove and so we have developed products to accommodate these situations," Johnson noted.

Overall, Johnson says the marketplace for boat lifts is wide open. He notes that dealers that operate in areas where algae and other forms of growth appear that will scar boat bottoms have a real advantage in selling this equipment. "For these boaters, boat lifts are almost a must," Johnson noted.