Your boat lift is in the water, and you are ready for a great summer of boating. Have you taken your first cruise this year? Yes! It was a great experience – wasn’t it?
That is until you noticed the hole(s) in your canopy cover. Did the last storm cause a tear in your canopy? You can’t ignore it. It’s time to replace your top!
Your previous boat lift dealer went out of business, or you don’t remember what size canopy you need! Contact PWS.
By now, you’ve heard great comments about Pier & Waterfront Solutions. There are over 100 customer referrals on the PWS website, demonstrating the quality of our work. Those are not some salesperson’s words – they are actual, documented statements.
Mike W, Fish Creek
These young men (Alex and Tyler) did the best install I have ever seen! I am a perfectionist, and I could not have done a better job myself! Even the pipes that are across from each other are even in height where in the past the pipes were all at random heights,
We tipped the guys but I wanted you to know what a great job they did! Keep up the great work!! Mike W
Excellent Job
Hi Jerry, Enclosed is payment for the pier haul out this fall ….. They (the crew) did an excellent job under difficult conditions. Will call you next spring for re-installation. Dave W.
Great Job John K Door County
Crews do a great job. John K.
Awesome Service – Casey C.
Jerry, Thank you so much for the AWESOME service! Casey C.
Hi = just wanted to let you know your crew did a great job taking down our dock this year. You are all a pleasure to work with. Thanks David C.
QB Outstanding Project Work
Outstanding project work. Alex is magical on the forklift and Ben is a strong extra. Nice work, it’s exactly as I hoped it would turn out. QB
Dale R. Customer service is an art
Jerry, Customer service is an art. You have mastered the art. Thank you for your service! Dale R.
We appreciate you
I enjoyed talking to Keri
I enjoyed talking with Keri. She is very polite and personable. She relayed exactly what I wanted done and she will do well for your business. Please share this with her. Thanks Michael H
You also know that PWS can provide replacement parts for almost all dock and boat lift brands. But did you know PWS can provide replacement canopies for every brand of boat lift?
(alpha order)
Love your boat? Then you want to give it a dry home.
Many boat owners choose ShoreMaster Boat Lift Canopies to protect their boats. The quality and longevity of its products are synonymous with the name – ShoreMaster.
ShoreMaster Boat Lift canopies last for years, giving your boat the protection it needs and deserves.
Due to the quality of a ShoreMaster canopy frame, you don’t have to worry about them. But, the sun does deteriorate all canopy fabrics over time.
The two popular boat lift brands on the Door County peninsula are ShoreMaster and Shorestation. We’ll concentrate on those.
First, it’s important to remember that ShoreMaster has more than one length for each lift. Different fabrics and colors are also available for every model.
Telling us you have a model # SM 4010 lift is not enough. Here is the correct way to measure a replacement canopy for a ShoreMaster boat lift:
ShoreMaster Canopy Dimensions
Length: Measure from the frame outside edge to the outside edge, along the horizontal centerline. Do not measure up and over the top.
Width: Measure between the inside edges of the frame.
Shorestation lifts will have an extra factor to consider – The metal used on the canopy frame. Shorestation makes canopy frames with either steel or aluminum. It’s important to distinguish between the two before proceeding. The shape and mountings are different.
Older “legacy” models used steel for the frames. Later they began making aluminum boat lifts like the rest of the world.
Now we have the frame material down pat. Now we can ask the remaining questions. We’ll start with the aluminum lifts since they are the most popular.
Shorestation ALUMINUM Canopy Frames
Shorestation Aluminum Canopy Dimensions
Length: Measure the side rail and then add 2 feet to that number
Width: Measure between the inside edges of the frame
Now on to the Steel canopies.
Shorestation STEEL Canopy Frames
Shorestation Steel Canopy Dimensions
Length: Count the number of inner ribs
Width: Measure between the inside edges of the frame
NOTE: Were there ANY modifications or repairs to the canopy frame? If the answer is yes, it is vital to bring that information to our attention. Changes could result in an error. Custom canopy sizes are not returnable.
The best option is to have a PWS representative do a site evaluation by coming to your site. That way, you can rest assured that we have the correct information.
Look for the brand name on the frame or winch of the boat lift and call or send the information to us. Sending a photo helps also.
We will return a diagram of the frames to compare with your actual canopy frame. We will also show you how to take the precise canopy dimensions needed. It’s as simple as that!
If in doubt, ask PWS to send someone out to get the information.
It’s better to be safe than sorry – Call PWS Today!
Pier & Waterfront Solutions, 7325 St. Hwy 57, is located 3 miles south of Sturgeon Bay. Go 1 mile PAST the intersection with County MM (heading north). Look on the right at the intersection of Idlewild Road and Hwy 57.
Pier & Waterfront Solutions remains “open” year-round.
The Covid-19 virus is waning thanks to the population getting vaccinations. We hope that the remaining people will get the vaccine to help stop the spread of this deadly virus. We will continue to conduct as much business as possible by email, text, or phone to do our part to keep people safe.
Site visits continue as usual. When making in-person contacts, we follow “social distancing” guidelines when possible by doing any face-to-face contact outdoors.
Red Tag
PWS‘s display area is always open for you to examine at your leisure. All displays available for sale have a numbered, red tag on them. Want more information on something you saw in our yard? Please reference that number when you inquire.
PWS provides estimates by email to make the process faster, safer, and paperless.
Call, message, or email Jerry with any questions.
Jerry Englebert
For years, the battery of choice for boat motors has been the lead-acid type. New technology will someday lower lithium battery prices, and boaters will change over to the latest technologies. In the meantime, boat owners will continue to be stuck with the old, heavy lead-acid batteries we use today.
Deep Cell Marine Battery
At this point, they are still the least expensive source of energy available. We have to take care of the battery to get the most out of it and make sure it has enough stored power when we need it. You can’t start your engine or operate the lift motor with a dead battery.
PWS recommends the Interstate deep-cycle Marine Battery line.
We will be discussing boats running 12 and 24-volt battery systems to power a boat or a lift motor in this post.
A fully charged battery, not connected to anything, will read 12.8 volts. A battery at half charge reads 12.2 volts, and a dangerously low unit will read 11.8 volts. It leaves little room for error with readings that close together. Keeping your boat battery charged is vital.
Lead-acid batteries will discharge over time. The damp, cool environment of a boat only accelerates the process. If left in a discharged state, they have a high chance of having permanent damage – at the very least, shortening its lifespan.
Just because there are no moving parts doesn’t mean that it cannot be damaged and fail. Individual cells within a battery may collapse, rendering the entire battery useless.
Some form of charging system is mandatory for every battery. The charging system isn’t just a matter of buying the cheapest, smallest charger from a local auto shop. A charger like that usually won’t make it through the first season in a marine environment.
Like everything else that has to work on your boat, It’s needs to be designed specifically for these conditions. The best brands understand this and make their product accordingly.
A 10 amp charger shoved ten amps into your battery in the old days – whether it needed it or not. If you left it plugged in, you run the risk of ‘cooking’ the cells dry. The water evaporates, and the cells short out.
The advent of “staged” chargers changed all that. The staged chargers (like solar chargers) were designed to be attached 24/7. The chargers cycle through a series of steps that condition the battery and prolong its life. The proper charger will pay for itself the next time you don’t have to replace your batteries.
Trickle chargers are great for motorcycle or jet ski batteries. However, an average-sized boat battery requires extra “Umph” if used frequently. Even the deep cell marine battery needs charging after use. Opinions vary but don’t waste your time with anything less than a 10 amp charger.
Do you have two batteries for operating a lift motor? A regulator will spread the charge between the batteries as each battery becomes fully charged.
As a side note, using (2) deep cell marine batteries will increase the speed of the boat lift mechanism. Sorry, it will increase the speed but not by 2x.
Solar panels are a completely different discussion. Their progress has been steadily improving efficiency. Each year there are improvements to their performance.
Keep your batteries clean – particularly the terminals.
There are liquids and sprays to protect your terminals from corrosion. These liquids will also safeguard any connections mounted to the terminals—no more of that nasty green stuff.
Keeping the terminals clean will keep a good flow of electricity to those motors when they need it. These liquids and sprays will also make it easy to remove your batteries should the need arise.
Like a car in the middle of winter, if you get a stuttering sound when trying to start your boat, it means the connections at the battery need cleaning. Continuing to try to start the motor will only draw down the battery power further. Watch for the lights dimming when you try to start the engine. A corroded connection will cause the lights to dim.
Hopefully, this information gives you a better understanding of batteries and makes your boating life easier and more enjoyable.
Pier & Waterfront Solutions, 7325 St. Hwy 57, is located 3 miles south of Sturgeon Bay. Go 1 mile PAST the intersection with County MM (heading north). Look on the right at the intersection of Idlewild Road and Hwy 57.
Pier & Waterfront Solutions remains “open” year-round.
The Covid-19 virus is waning. We hope people will continue to get the vaccine to help stop the spread of this deadly virus. We will continue to conduct as much business as possible by email, text, or phone to do our part to keep people safe.
Site visits continue as usual. When making in-person contacts, we follow “social distancing” guidelines when possible by doing any face-to-face contact outdoors.
Red Tag
PWS‘s display area is always open for you to examine at your leisure. All displays available for sale have a numbered, red tag on them. Want more information on something you saw in our yard? Please reference that number when you inquire.
PWS provides estimates by email to make the process faster, safer, and paperless.
Call, message, or email Jerry with any questions.
Jerry Englebert
Want the BEST hydraulic boat lift for Green Bay waters? Look no further than the latest addition to Pier & Waterfront Solutions premier lines. PWS now features Sunstream SunLift™ hydraulic lifts.
Pier & Waterfront Solutions recently diversified the selection of hydraulic lifts. You now have a choice of hydraulic lifts with capacities up to 30,000 lbs. and lifting heights to 6′-6″.
Want the fastest, free-standing hydraulic lift with the greatest lifting height and smoothest operation? Check out Sunstream SunLift.™
Sunstream SunLift Hydraulic boat lift
Here’s a side-by-side comparison of the three most popular brands:
Sunstream ShoreMaster Shorestation
Capacity – 2,000 – 30,000# 4,000–12,500# 2,000–15,000 #
Lifting Height – 36″- 78″ 36″– 60″ 70″
Min. Depth* – 12″ 12″ 14″-21″
Wireless Remote – Y Y Y
Ease of operation
Today you can use your boat as easily as you use your car. Get out on the water more often, and have more fun.
Sunstream has wireless remote controls and optional motor-stop and guide-on systems. These features make operating and docking easy even for a new skipper. There are NO Cables Used.
Sunstream pioneered the hydraulic, free-standing boat lift revolution. They continue to advance the technology and is known for reliability, durability, and safe design.
Sunstream SunLift™ has been proven with years of service in salt and freshwater environments. Sunstream has a wide range of accessories to optimizes the lift for your specific needs.
We’ll have more details in the coming weeks.
Pier & Waterfront Solutions, 7325 St. Hwy 57, is located 3 miles south of Sturgeon Bay. Go 1 mile PAST the intersection with County road MM (heading north). Look on the right at the next corner – Idlewild Road and Hwy 57.
Pier & Waterfront Solutions remains “open” year-round.
Please use face masks
The Covid virus continues to spread and affects many people. Don’t be one of them.
PWS is conducting as much business as possible by email, text, or phone.
Site visits continue as usual. When making in-person contacts, we follow “social distancing” guidelines when possible.
PWS‘s display area is always open for you to examine at your leisure. All displays available for sale have a numbered, red tag on them. Want more information on something you saw in our yard? Please reference that number when you inquire.
Red Tag
PWS will provide estimates by email to make the process faster, safer, and paperless.
A lack of ice cover this year could lead to increased shoreline erosion, according to experts.
An analysis of Great Lakes ice coverage shows a decline of about 5% since the 1970s. In the last 20 years, 14 of those years had ice coverage levels below the 53% average.
Lake Michigan has ice coverage of around 7 – 12% – a far cry from the 100% coverage we have experienced in our lifetime. These are new records for the Great Lakes.
The Great Lakes coverage is currently at a record low for January. Coverage is well below the seasonal average. The situation has prompted concerns about the environmental impact caused by the lack of ice.
The low ice coverage results from local weather patterns. These patterns impact ice formation on the lakes. The warm air temperatures we all enjoyed earlier this winter have had an impact on ice formation. It has made for thin ice and a general lack of ice formation.
Long term ice coverage has been around 50-55%, but this year it has hovered about 30 %. Even the Bay of Green Bay, at its narrowest locations, has not frozen entirely over. In the few areas where ice extends across the Bay, its total thickness is lacking.
Remember, even when the ice is 100% frozen, it continues to “crack,” as anyone who has ventured out on the ice can tell you. If the ice completely covers the water, the chances of ice movements are minimal.
But, when the ice breakers open the shipping lanes south of Sturgeon Bay, it allows for ice movement.
Ice Damage
With strong winds, ice shoves develop and create havoc along the downwind shorelines. Once the ice begins to move, there is nothing that man can do to stop it.
A recent incident in the Sturgeon Bay area demonstrates what happens with strong winds. https://www.wbay.com/2021/02/04/large-crack-in-ice-strands-people-in-door-county/
Shoreline erosion is a real challenge without the protection of ice coverage. Ice prevents wave action from eroding the shoreline during the winter.
Winter winds cause wave action. Without the ice cover, wave action continues to wear away the shoreline.
Along the Lake Erie coast, shorelines have caved in due to the lack of ice cover protection. The waves keep slamming the shoreline. Ice calms lake water in the winter.
Prevailing winds pick up more precipitation without ice on the lakes. It is then dumped on communities downwind.
Expect more occurrences of large snowfalls when lakes remain ice-free.
Without ice cover, more suspension of run-off nutrients occurs. The lack of ice coverage results in the reintroduction of contaminants into the water. The long term effect is more algae blooms.
Whitefish spawn in the winter months and need still waters, so their eggs are not disturbed.
Projections for 2021 are for coverage of around 30 percent, sometime in February or early March. The long-term average is 53 percent.
Lake freight is one of the few things that benefit from the low ice. It reduces the need for ice breakers to keep the shipping lanes open.
It’s not all bad news! The Great Lakes are resilient waters, and they do recover. Various pressure, including contaminants, invasive species, and algae blooms, assault the Lakes every year.
It may not be the same as it was, but there’s a lot of resiliency in the Great Lakes. The Great Lakes continue to bounce back and are still intact. They are an essential ecosystem.
PWS, 7325 St. Hwy 57, is 3 miles south of Sturgeon Bay and 1 mile PAST County road MM’s intersection (heading north). Look on the right at the intersection of Idlewild Road and Hwy 57.
Pier & Waterfront Solutions remains “open” year-round.
The virus continues to spread. PWS is conducting as much business as possible by email, text, or phone.
Site visits continue as usual. When making in-person contacts, we follow “social distancing” guidelines whenever possible.
Red Tag
PWS‘s display area is always open for you to examine at your leisure. All displays available for sale have a numbered, red tag on them. Want more information on something you saw in our yard? Please reference that number when you inquire.
PWS provides estimates and quotes by email to make the process faster, safer, and paperless.
Thanks again, Jerry, for the good work your crew does! Have a safe and healthy winter. Talk to you as we approach spring.
Best Regards,
Joan P.
