www.iFourWinns.com

For the guys whose boat sits in the water all summer, without having a marina / racks space, do you use a boat lift?

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2011 SL242 5.7 VP GXi - 320 HP Dual Prop

I winter in Florida.
My buddies all have boat lifts.
They keep your boat out of the water, but ready to go in 5 minutes.

I took a boat to Florida last year and kept it on a trailer. My storage was 25 minutes away. It sucked.

This year I already have a lift rented for the 6 months I am there.

In my opinion, only way to go especially in salt water.

Doug

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2003 Four Winns 170 Freedom Cincinnati, Ohio / Cape Coral, Florida

Most people around here do not have them but compared to the maintenance that salt water requires it would be like heaven. If I had access to that kind of set up it would reduce the work I have to do by about 50%. No bottom paint, no power washing crap off of it at the end of the season, no corrosion concerns, etc. The majority of boats here are either slipped in a marina (very expensive) or are on rotating moorings (like I do). We looked at condos in Ocean City MD some years back and they all had boat lifts, that alone would have sold me!

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88 Four Winns 200 Horizon
4.3 OMC Cobra-4bbl
2002 Walker Bay 10/2012 Suzuki 2.5
2008 Walker Bay 8

1998 Jeep Grand Cherokee 4.0/Selectrac
2007 Jeep Grand Cherokee 5.7 Hemi/Quadradrive II

Yes.... It is only way to keep boat bottom clean all summer long.... Also our slip is right on the main channel and can be very rough on weekend so lift helps boat off from getting banged up...
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08 H260 VP 8.1Gi DP.....Previous
2013 Crownline E6 Merc 8.2MAG BIIIX, DTS/SC

If I was lucky enough to have water front property then to me a boat lift would be a higher priority than a kitchen!

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"Knot Easy" 2000 Horizon 240 Volvo 5.7GS /SX
tow: 2017 Honda PILOT EXL-AWD
prev. boats:
'87 Chaparral 198CXL 4.3 OMC Cobra
'69 Jetstar 16ft Ski Boat, 115hp Yamaha
'68 Aluminum Jon Boat, 3hp Sears
'64 Water Wings

Sushi that looks great! The problem that I have is the water right in front of our place is over 10 feet deep (and it varies throughout the season), so a standing lift is not possible. That means I may need to look at getting Sunstream floating lift like this



I got my new floating dock put in https://youtu.be/_USyYyR_pIU

the old one was barely half a boat long

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2011 SL242 5.7 VP GXi - 320 HP Dual Prop

I kept my 24' Doral cuddy on a lift on a fresh water lake... Loved it and miss it.

As said above, keeps the boat clean... Especially in the spring/early summer.

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2004 - 288 Vista
Twin - 5.0 Volvo Penta GXi DP

Have you considered a floating dock system set on pylons instead of the floating lift. That's what the use here and they have the lifts built into them. That way you have the dock walk around with a metal roof and plenty of clearance....some put water slides on them with roof access.....more money, but its a covered boat house with room for your gear, water for cleaning and beer drinking spot for rainy days.

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http://i1339.photobucket.com/albums/o71 ... wqm355.jpg


08' H210SS
VP 5.7Gi

post a pic of what you mean

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2011 SL242 5.7 VP GXi - 320 HP Dual Prop

www.spillarboatdocks.com has many example pics of what I was trying to describe....I have issues with pics on this tablet...

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http://i1339.photobucket.com/albums/o71 ... wqm355.jpg


08' H210SS
VP 5.7Gi

On the St Clair River here we have 2 permanent boat lifts, mounted on pilings, and cable / sling support for the boats:



I also used an aluminum inland lake style lift out here as well with my old Horizon, you can get these to hold big weight, and they are also removable for the winter months:

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Rob

Present: 1999 Formula 280SS
Past: 1989 180 Horizon

http://www.robcamerondesign.com

I rarely see boat lifts out here, but some folks use them. These are more common: http://armoredhull.com/

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2002 Funship 214
VP 5.7 GX Si
2003 Tahoe

I have owned boats for over 10 years and have always kept them on the trailer in a garage and had to launch and take out every weekend. We also live 3.5 hours away from our marina. It got to the point last year that all that work every weekend--just didn't feel worth it anymore. I also had a very bad accident while launching about 3 years ago that required major hand surgery after the winch slipped out of my grip and struck me. A change was in order--maybe sell the boat and take a break for a few years OR go all in and get a covered slip and lift?

We went all in! At first, I had buyers remorse. We have to lease slips/lifts here for 12 months--so it seemed like a big investment for something I would only use for a third of the year at best. However--with the end of the season approaching--I can honestly say it has been the best season I can remember in a long time. We have used the boat more and we are using the boat for 3 hours longer each weekend instead of launching and taking out. It's an investment--but hell--we already have more money invested in this hobby than we should--why not maximize the enjoyment?

Now--I just need a condo--maybe in 4-5 years once my two kids are out of college!

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Norris Lake, Stardust Marina, Andersonville, TN
2005 Four Winns 230 Horizon 5.7L Volvo Gi/DP
2001 Maxum 1900SR 5.0L V8 (Sold)
2011 Nissan Armada Platnum

I would love to use one of those lifts on poles, but the water next to my dock is too deep I've been told, so no one wants to do the install. I'll probably do the floating lift next spring.

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2011 SL242 5.7 VP GXi - 320 HP Dual Prop

Boat lift incident with my brothers 24" Key West. Electrical storm fried the switch and boat raised while they were gone. Kept going up until the 300 4 stroke Yamaha impacted with steel crossbeam and tripped breaker. ...crunched cowling and head leaking oil. Insurance surveyor authorizing repair/replacement of motor if needed. Make sure lift power is off if you leave.

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http://i1339.photobucket.com/albums/o71 ... wqm355.jpg


08' H210SS
VP 5.7Gi