Posted on February 3, 2022

Tips and Considerations for Self-Installing a Boat Lift

Written by ShoreMaster Marketing

Installing a boat lift is one of the best choices that you can make for your waterfront. A boat lift is the easiest, most effective way to protect your boat from the dangerous side of the water and outdoors. It can also make boat maintenance easier—what’s not to love?

For the seasonal boat owner, the answer to that question might be the installation process. Getting your boat lift into and out of the water before and after every boating season can be a hassle, even with ShoreMaster’s engineering, which makes our Infinity Boat Lift Systems easier to move and install. You shouldn’t have to struggle alone or at all—professional help with boat lift installation is a great solution to your waterfront woes.

 

Can I Install a Boat Lift Myself?

Technically, yes, you can install a boat lift on your own. ShoreMaster boat docks are a lighter weight than docks of comparable strength and durability made from different materials, which makes installing them easier. However, we have a dealer network across the country, and why do more work than you have to? Besides, different lifts can require different kinds of expertise, and incorrect installation can damage your boat lift or even your boat itself. Your boat lift is the only thing that needs to be doing the heavy lifting once boating season gets underway. It’s best to leave the job to a professional that really knows what they’re doing (especially if you live in an area that requires a permit to install a dock or you’ll void a warranty if you take the DIY approach—don’t go without professional help in that case). Sure, hiring a professional is more expensive than having your friends over and paying them for pizza and drinks, but the investment is worth the peace of mind from a job well done.

What Does Installing a Boat Lift Require?

Whether you’re doing your installation or getting the help of a professional, information is one of the best tools you can use. Consider your waterway—the type and depth of the water, how busy the area is, the kind of weather you get, what the bottom of the bed is like, and other factors will determine what type of lift set-up works with your water. You will also need to know the specs of the boat you want to lift (with some allowances if you plan on upgrading your boat but keeping your lift in the future). The type, length, width, and weight (both dry and loaded) of your boat all factor into lift selection and installation. The more information you have for your marine contractor, the better your installation will go.

Trust the Waterfront Installation Experts at ShoreMaster

ShoreMaster is an American company that’s had years of waterfront experience. Whether you live on the ocean, own a marina up north, or just need something small and personal, we can help with choosing a boat lift and dock system. Our marine contractors can help you pick out the right layout, dock decking materials, boat lift accessories, and help with lift installation, wherever you are in the country. Our website is also a good source of information, from our blog posts to information and instructions for all of our Infinity Boat Lift Systems and products. For waterfront advice tailored to your shoreline or to get started with your installation, contact a local ShoreMaster dealer from our vast network.