January 16, 2025

Written by ShoreMaster Marketing

As boating activities slow down during the colder months, winter presents the opportunity to focus on maintenance and upgrades without taking a bite out of your precious boating time. Let’s dive into why winter is the ideal time to enhance your dock system with a reliable ski boat lift.

Why Winter is the Perfect Time to Invest in a Ski Boat Lift

During winter, boat lift manufacturers and dealers typically experience lower demand compared to the bustling spring and summer months. This translates to easier access to personalized consultations, faster processing times, and priority scheduling for delivery and installation. Minus the pressure of the peak season, dealers can answer all your questions and help you choose the perfect boat lift system for your unique needs. 

Many boat dealers also offer attractive discounts and promotions to encourage sales and maintain cash flow during the slower sales period, allowing you to make a cost-effective investment that enhances your boat ownership experience. 

The Benefits of Getting Your Ski Boat Lift Ahead of the Season

Securing a ski boat lift in the winter saves you from scrambling to coordinate delivery and installation during peak boating season. You won't have to wait in line for services or face potential delays due to high demand during the busy months. It also gives you ample time to familiarize yourself with different boat lift parts and their operation and make the necessary adjustments to ensure you're ready to hit the water as soon as spring arrives. 

By making the most of the boating downtime, you’ll have everything set up and ready to go when warmer days return, enabling you to maximize your time on the water and enjoy your boating activities without interruption. 

Comparing Boat Lift Models: Finding the Right Ski Boat Lift for You

At ShoreMaster, we manufacture boat lifts that are overengineered for maximum stability and meticulously tested for superior durability. These lifts provide owners with the ultimate watercraft protection and complete peace of mind. With a diverse range of boat lift models available, you can find a high-quality solution for any boat size, design, and docking environment. 

Here’s an overview of our boat lift range:

• Vertical Lifts: ShoreMaster vertical boat lifts combine a dime-welded frame with premium components to provide superior stability, performance, and ease of ownership. In addition to producing aesthetically pleasing weld beads, the dime-welding technique ensures a strong and seamless bond for the utmost structural integrity (Steven, n.d.). They’re available in capacities ranging from 2,200 to 7,000 lbs, with rails and bunks for V-hulls, sailboats, pontoons, and personal watercraft. 
• Hydraulic Lifts: ShoreMaster TruLift models feature a hydraulic system with a bi-rotational, pressure-balanced pump that enhances efficiency for fast and quiet lifting and lowering. Available in capacities ranging from 6,000 to 12,500 lbs., they can operate at a minimum water depth of 16” (plus boat draft), feature a lay-flat design for the ultimate shallow water lifting solution, and come standard with remote control operation for utmost ease and convenience.
• Vertical Hydraulic Lift: This hybrid design combines the lifting capacity, operating speed, and convenience of hydraulic boat lifts with the flexibility and adaptability to various waterfront environments vertical lifts provide. Available in capacities of 6,000 to 8,000 lbs., ShoreMaster vertical hydraulic boat lifts are ideal for three to seven-foot water with minor fluctuations and soft, firm, or semi-firm bottom conditions. 
• Floating Boat Lifts: The ShoreMaster UltraLift Series combines hot-dip zinc-galvanized structural steel frames with ultra-tough polyethylene floatation tanks to withstand challenging marine environments. Hot-dipped galvanized steel is renowned for its strength and resistance to rust and corrosion, making the UltraLift floating boat lifts ideal for saltwater applications (Sciencing, 2018). These versatile lifting solutions are available in L-arm, front mount, shallow water configurations, and capacities ranging from 4,400 to 32,000 lbs. 

As pioneers of the welded aluminum boat lift, we’ve perfected our design to offer superior stability, reliability, and performance season after season. This has made ShoreMaster boat lifts some of the most trusted lifting solutions in the industry. Contact us today to discuss your requirements and find the perfect ski boat lift for your needs. 

Preparing Your Ski Boat Lift for Winter Storage and Spring Installation

If you don't plan on installing the lift during winter, store it in a dry, sheltered area to prevent exposure to the elements. Refer to the manufacturer’s guidelines for specific storage and maintenance instructions to keep your lift in optimal condition. For more information, check out our blog on boat lift winter storage. 

Coordinate with your dealer or installer to schedule installation as soon as the weather permits. This ensures you’re ready for the first boating days of spring. Here’s a quick checklist to help ensure the lift is ready for action:

• Inspection: Before installation, inspect all lift parts and components, including the frame, supports, and hardware, checking for any signs of wear, corrosion, or damage. Remove accumulated dirt and lubricate all moving parts and grease points. 
• Systems Check: For hydraulic lifts, inspect hoses and connections for signs of leaks and damage. Check the fluid levels, topping them up if necessary. Check the floats and battery charge levels where applicable. 
• Test Operation: Tighten all connections and ensure the lift is properly anchored to prevent wobbling or shifting. Before loading the lift, operate it through a full cycle, raising and lowering it a few times to check for any issues. 

If this is your first installation, we strongly recommend coordinating professional installation with your dealer. This will ensure everything is done correctly and safely. 

How to Order Your Ski Boat Lift: Steps for a Smooth Purchase Process

When you choose ShoreMaster, you get access to an extensive dealership network across North America and the expert guidance that comes along with it. To find boat lift dealers near me, visit the ShoreMaster Find a Dealer page and enter your ZIP or postal code. You’ll see a list of dealers around your area, including driving directions and contact information.

Alternatively, you can use our Contact A Dealer Form. Simply select the products you’re interested in, submit your information, and an authorized ShoreMaster representative will contact you. Of course, you can contact us at our Fergus Falls, MN headquarters at (800) 328-8945 for any inquiries about the best waterfront solutions.  

References:

• Rob Steven (n.d.) Weld Like a Pro: The Ultimate Guide to Stacking Dimes. Welder Stream. Retrieved from: Weld Like a Pro: The Ultimate Guide to Stacking Dimes - WelderStream
• Sciencing (April 27, 2018). The Effects of Saltwater on Metals. Retrieved from: The Effects of Saltwater on Metals | Sciencing