Apr 16, 2019
Spider Web
SPIDERS, BEES AND YOUR LIFT CANOPY
When you bought your boat lift and canopy, you probably thought “This is all mine, and mine alone.” Little did you know that within a short time you will be sharing it with unwelcome visitors. Your visitors include hornets, spiders, wasps, and spider webs to name a few. They tend to be annoying and creepy in some cases. They also are persistent once they take up residence on your boat lift (the most common location).
HOW DO YOU GET RID OF SPIDERS?
Maybe the better question is – Do I want to get rid of them? Gulls and geese are disease carriers, and you have to be careful with them.
Spiders can produce a painful bite. Spiders have a ferocious appetite and they eat mosquitos and bay flies. No one will complain about that. They also are a source of food for birds. Nature has a way of balancing things (but not fast enough when it comes to bay flies and mosquitoes.) No one will complain about that. They also are a source of food for birds. Nature has a way of balancing things (but not fast enough when it comes to bay flies and mosquitoes.)
Peppermint oil to get rid of spiders
SEVERAL WAYS TO GET RID OF SPIDERS
There are many articles on the internet, and universal themes involve the use of peppermint or cinnamon sprays. These would be non-lethal, non-poisonous methods of driving them away. Consider using it on your boat also (under the cover). These may make your boat smell better too. Always test on an inconspicuous area to prevent staining.
There are other ways like the use of Orto Home Defense which is useful. Be careful where you use it so that pets and children do not come in contact with it. It is beneficial on painted or aluminum siding and around windows too.
Remember, the DNR is very strict about spraying ANY chemicals over water. Try to trap the excess spray with a large piece of cardboard, so it does not fall into the water. Do not breathe in the fumes. Follow label directions.
SPIDER WEBS
Get rid of spider webs whenever possible. Make it difficult for them. If you see small black “dots” clean them with a detergent to prevent those eggs from hatching and multiplying your problem.
HORNETS
Homemade hornet trap
Hornets are not only annoying but like bees and wasps, they can produce severe reactions to your body if you are allergic to their sting. Besides, unlike the seagulls and geese mentioned in our previous article – The spider and hornets are pests, but they serve a useful purpose too. Hornets, bees, wasps help pollinate crops and flowers. Just stay away from them.
If you ever left an open soda or anything sweet outside you know that hornets love it. You can use this love to trap and dispose of them by mixing Mountain Dew and Dawn detergent in a dish. Keep it out of children and pets reach. There are commercial traps that work on the same principle.
If you choose to use the “Wasp and hornet killer” sprays, remember they are very effective if used correctly. Used in boat houses and under eaves you need to remember three things:
- Always use the sprays in the evening when they are not as active.
- The “cheap” sprays usually can’t make it to the advertised 20-foot mark. As a result, it just takes one hornet who did not come in contact with the spray to ruin your day. You may set a new world record for running. Be prepared.
- Try to spray downwind, if possible.
WASPS
There are numerous powders available for ground wasps. Wasps are VERY aggressive so treat them with respect and have your running shoes on. They will swarm from their nests en masse to attack you. Again, we recommend a good pair of running shoes.
For more information read this article for wasp and hornets. If spiders are your problem, read this article.
Don’t forget – Give us a call If you have a dock or boatlift topic you would like to see addressed on our website. This year you will see issues like “Seagull deterrents – Updated, “Boat Lift Insurance,” and other issues important to our clients.
WHERE IS PIER AND WATERFRONT SOLUTIONS?
We are located in the center of the Door County Peninsula at 7325 St. Hwy 42/57. That’s 1 mile North of County MM (Hwy 42) and 3 miles South of Sturgeon Bay. Look for the Idlewild Road intersection.
Apr 9, 2019
The 2019 DOCK INSTALL SEASON HAS BEGUN!
Ice Damage
The install season for 2019 has begun on the Door County peninsula. We started doing some commercial installs a week ago in select areas.
The Coast Guard has opened the shipping channel to Green Bay, and this means the ice can move in and out with every shift on the wind.
At this early time, we can only do installs in areas where the ice is out, and there is little danger of it floating back in. The results can be disastrous.
Our crews will be expanding into more areas as weather permits. We’ve all been looking forward to this, and our crews and equipment are ready. While it is impossible to set a firm schedule more than a day out, we continue to make progress.
WHAT PART WILL NATURE PLAY IN THE SCHEDULING?
ATF 2 Install
ATF 1 during an install
We know Nature will probably throw a few curves at us. Last year it was an 18″ snowfall two weeks into the season.
We now have three ATF’s (the big machines we use), and the trucks and trailers are ready.
WHAT TO EXPECT THIS YEAR
The water depth looks like it will be up again this year due to the heavy snowfall. Lake Michigan did not freeze over, so there was evaporation throughout the winter. At the same time, there were more late-season snowstorms. If the legs on your dock were barely above the dock last year, you will likely receive a call from our Service Manager about the need to replace them. Longer legs may be necessary to get you safely above the water for storms.
John Englebert
WHO CAN YOU CONTACT WITH SCHEDULING ISSUES?
If you have a question or particular need, please contact John Englebert, our very experienced Service Manager and Scheduler. You can reach John at 920-495-2860 or email john@wisconsinpws.com.
John does an excellent job of accommodating requests as long as Nature co-operates. As the season progresses the schedules will get tighter but John always seems to find a way to make it work (if Nature co-operates).
Have a repair that needs attention? Call John to schedule it!
Looking for something new this year? Want to change your layout? Call Jerry (920-493-4404) or Dave (920-905-2588)
Jerry EnglebertOwner
Dave Kalista
Owner
Don’t forget – Give us a call If you have a dock or boatlift topic you would like to see addressed on our website. This year you will see topics like “Sea gull deterrents – Updated, ” How to place your boat onto your lift,” “Boat Lift Insurance”, and other issues important to our customers.
WHERE IS PIER AND WATERFRONT SOLUTIONS?
We are located in the center of the Door County Peninsula at 7325 St. Hwy 42/57. That’s 1 mile North of County MM (Hwy 42) and 3 miles South of Sturgeon Bay. Look for the Idlewild Road intersection.
Mar 12, 2019
Do you need a lift motor for your boat lift?
Are you still struggling to turn your Boat Lift Wheel?
See https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7j_LCDD8g2c&list=PLV6h7EzFPiaB5SCPfZtJGsuPLWYkIX8Ol&index=4
Remote Control
A DC powered Lift Boss motor makes it simple and safe to use a boat lift motor – with no effort!.
If you can push a button to open your garage door, you can raise a 7000# boat the same way.
Read part one of this series (https://wisconsinpws.com/wp-admin/post.php?post=5322&action=edit) to understand the AC version of the Lift Boss. AC power is one of three options available to you. We extensively covered the pros and cons of using the AC option and the use of extension cords.
In this part, we discuss the options for DC powered boat lift motors, which require no extension cords.
There are two DC options – the 12 Volt and 24 Volt system. Fortunately for you, they both use the SAME Lift Boss motor and can be upgraded at any time. Only the charging system changes.
Here are some FAQ about a lift motor
- Do I need a 12 Volt or 24 Volt System?
If you are the person who lowers the boat in the morning and raises it once at night, we are going to recommend a 12 Volt system. You will have plenty of time during the course of a normal day to recharge your system.
- What if I raise my boat frequently during the day?
We will recommend the 12V system and give you an option for the 24V system. You are borderline between the two systems. Another alternative is to use a higher wattage solar panel to help restore lifting capacity quicker. It makes sense that you will use your boat LESS without a lift motor. Need to know how to calculate the total weight of your boat? See https://wisconsinpws.com/wp-admin/post.php?post=4951&action=edit
- Does your boat weigh under 5,000 lbs but you are still struggling to turn the wheel?
We recommend the12 Volt system based on your boat weight and the capacity of your boat lift.
- What if I want to raise my boat FASTER?
If you want your existing 12V lift motor to raise the boat faster – we recommend converting it to a 24 V system regardless of weight. Caution – not all motors allow this. The Lift Boss does allow this conversion. Check with your dealer or call PWS for more information.
Additional Questions
- Will a car battery work on my boat lift?
No. You must use a Deep Cell Marine battery for ANY lift motor brand. Think of it this way – If you tried to start a car (without fuel in it) by keeping the key “on” for several minutes, the battery will wear down quickly. They are not made for lengthy power-draining applications. A deep cell battery is made to handle those demands. It still won’t start without fuel but that’s a different story.
- What battery brand do you recommend?
The zero maintenance, sealed Interstate batteries we use have the capacity for the long power demands of a boat lift motor.
- Do I need a voltage regulator?
If you connect a solar panel to your battery to keep it charged, it is important to include a solar regulator. The regulator will monitor and “regulate” the charging of the battery so that it will not be overcharged. Overcharging your battery will damage it and decrease its overall life span. This also prevents your battery from leaking charge back to the panel.
Remember – A DC Powered Lift Boss motor makes it simple and safe to use a boat lift.
Solar Panel Wattage and Output
You have to re-charge the battery(s) as you use them. Proper charging of your marine batteries with a solar panel requires that you get the correct panel and it must be properly sized for your motor. This will allow the battery to be a consistent and reliable source for your system.
To ensure that your battery is charged properly, make sure the Voltage output is correct for the battery(s) you are using. A 12 V panel should only be used on a single 12-volt battery. If you use it on a 24 V setup you are cutting your charge rate in half.
However, if you tend to use the lift several times a day, then you would be better off to go with a 20 Watt kit with a 12V or 24V output depending on how many batteries you are using. It is key that the output voltage of your solar panel is adequate and in line with the voltage of your battery.
What will batteries connected in Series accomplish?
Batteries in a series connection will increase your voltage from 12V to 24V. This arrangement will not increase your amps, or the amount of electricity moving through the circuit; otherwise known as amp hours (A/H). It will give your lift motor access to 24V of power, thus resulting in a faster lift speed; effectively doubling the rpm of the motor.
The key to this setup is that there is not an increase in A/H, or current, and therefore no increase in the rate at which electricity is delivered to the motor. The extra speed comes from the extra voltage, not the A/H. Your motor simply “sees” that it is connected to 24V as opposed to a 12V battery.
In summary, use the correct lift motor for your boat lift. Then power it with the correct solar array for your needs.
Need Help Planning a solar system For Your boat lift?
Do you have a friend that may be interested in this information? Please share a link to this page with them.
PWS is located at 7325 St. Hwy 57. That’s 1 mile North of County MM (Hwy 42) and 3 miles South of Sturgeon Bay at the Idlewild Road intersection.
Feb 26, 2019
Boat Lift Calculations
Boat lift calculations are explained in Part 4 of this series.
Have a new boat and don’t know what boat lift size you need? We will outline the general procedure for determining the proper boat lift size to use. Much of the information we ask for can be taken from the boat registration. To give you an accurate estimate we need as much information as possible.
Finding the Overall Weight
Where can the specifications for your boat be found?
The specifications may be provided in a brochure, on a website or a specification sheet. If you can’t find them, among other resources, try using the online NADA guides www.nadaguides.com/Boats/. Go to the website, and look for “specifications” for your model and year.
Before giving you a final recommendation on lift capacities, we usually check more than one source. We always use the higher of the two numbers if there is a difference.
For this post, we went to nadaguides.com/Boats/2013/Chaparral-Boats/H2O-19-SPORT__/32036233. We selected the 2013 Chaparral Boats H2O 19 SPORT.
2013 Chaparral Boats H2O 19 SPORT.
The following (edited) information comes from that website.
Suncoast model weight includes the weight of the outboard motor.
[As you see below, there are (10) different engine sizes available. That means (10) different weights. Thre information is correct if they used the original motor from the manufacturer. It is best to check this information against your actual motor(s).]
115-135 HP (3.0L)
136-200 HP (3.0L – 4.3L) (included)
201-230 HP (4.3L – 5.0L ##)
231-265 HP (5.0L – 5.7L ##)
266-300 HP (5.7L #)
301-350 HP (5.7L – 8.1L ##)
351-400 HP (5.7L – 8.1L ##)
401-425 HP (8.1L ##)
426-470 HP (8.1L ##)
471-500 HP (8.1L ##)
Engine selection Key – (#) For 1993-1997 model years include 7.4L (300 HP) Mercruiser engine.
(##) Use your engine’s horsepower rating.
Under specifications, you will also find: [Condensed for our purposes]
Horsepower (bhp) 135
Length (ft-in / m) 19′ 4” / 5.9
Beam (in / m) 90 / 2.3
Dry Weight (lbs / kg) 2540 / 1152
Fuel Capacity (gal / L) 30 / 114
Please note, the dry weight provided by the manufacturer often does not account for the weight of outboard motors. Be sure you know what the number represents.
If, at any time, you would rather have PWS do the calculations for you, contact us with this information:
Model year;
Brand;
Model; and
Length of your boat.
What other items are needed for boat lift calculations?
You now have the manufacturers’ boat weight. We still need to account for:
- The weight of the fuel;
- All gear on the boat;
- Water storage;
- Non-factory additions.
Keep in mind, you will be lifting all of that weight each time your boat is raised out of the water.
IMPORTANT – EVERY boat lift manufacturer will tell you that lifts are NOT designed to transport people.
In real life, we also realize that the elderly or children often stay in the boat until it is raised. We do NOT recommend this, and you take responsibility for this action.
However, if you must take this action – allow for that added weight in your calculations. Remember, the lift can only handle it’s rated capacity. If you transport people, you are also assuming that the cables are at 100% capacity with no rust or frays. See also – https://wisconsinpws.com/lift-cable-inspection-replacement/
Now let’s look at the information provided above:
Gasoline weighs approximately 6 -7 # per gallon. Multiply this number times the capacity of your fuel tank to arrive at the weight of a full tank of gas.
Water weighs approximately 8 lbs. per gallon. Now check the capacity of all freshwater tanks, wastewater tanks and don’t forget any live wells.
Non-factory modifications – These include wakeboard towers, bimini tops, extra seating, generators, coolers, and swim platforms. It all adds up.
Gear – This include skis, wakeboards, scuba equipment, etc.
Now, add these numbers to your boat weight.
Think you’re done? Not quite yet!
Now add a “margin of safety.” This is usually between 10% and 20%. At this point, we select the next higher capacity for your lift. Why the need for all this? Here’s a simple example of why we do this.
A man picks up a ball. For our purposes, let’s say it weighs ¼ #. This presents no problem.
Next, the same ball is coming towards him at 90 mph. It hits him. It hits him. Do you think the ball “feels like” it weighs only 1/4 #? Obviously, the moving object will have the effect of “more weight’ even though it still weighs just ounces.
Why the comparison? Many times in a storm, the waves will wash against the bottom of a boat. In severe storms, the boat may actually bounce up and down on the lift as the wave rolls across the bottom. Now you have a boat weighing 2,500 – 3,200 pounds bouncing up and down. The added “weight” of the boat at this time may result in a cable breaking. This situation is especially true if the lift was not properly sized originally or the cables are not in good shape. In severe cases, the boat may be washed off the lift completely. A future post will address the insurance issue – watch for it.
Will the lift be able to take the “shock” of that bouncing? That’s why we go to the next size up. This is a common cause of cable failure. These “shocks” could cause a cable to break if they have rust or frayed strands. For more information SEE https://wisconsinpws.com/wp-admin/post.php?post=404&action=edit
The initial extra fee is small in comparison to the cost of damage to the lift or your boat. You could lose your boat & motor completely.
Do I need more Information?
What other things adversely impact a boat lift? What if your boat is in a downpour without a canopy or cover? Did you remove the drain plug while the boat is on the lift? (Don’t forget to replace it before you lower the boat).
What if you don’t know that the bilge pump is malfunctioning. These things may result in lift failure. A safety margin and a few extra dollars now may save you a lot of $$$$ later.
The point is that little things can add up and it is best to err on the side of caution.
What’s next?
The next step is to look at your boat WIDTH. In our example, we have a 90” width.
Does this mean a 96” width lift will work for you? Not even on a calm day!
Bunks & Guide options
We equip our boat lifts with guides to keep you centered on the bunks as shown in this example. The guides require a minimum of 6” width each – that’s 12” for a total of 102” in this example. Ok, so a 108” lift will work – right? Wrong!
If you have deep water, you can maintain control of your boat on a calm day. You might be able to get by with a 108” wide lift. However, what if the wind is blowing from the back or one side? Can you control your boat under with only 6” of “spare room”?
In shallow water, you have to “trim” (raise) the motor. Shallow water is the usual situation on the bay of Green Bay. When you trim your motor, you lose control of the direction and speed you are entering the lift. Any decent wave will push you to one side. How many days are absolutely calm?
We are going to cover this situation in more depth in an upcoming post but for now, follow our recommendation for a 120” width. This width will do three things for you:
1. Allow the “guides” to place you properly on the lift;
2. Reduce the risk of damage to your boat and dock; and
3. Give you a higher resale value.
We never have a complaint about the lift being too wide
IS YOUR BOAT CENTERED?
Although not part of the equation – is your boat centered width-wise? Failure to do so will put added strain on the cables on one side. The lift ratings are based on equal weight distribution on all of the cables.
Don’t forget – you need to correctly place your boat “forward” on the lift also. If it is too far forward or back, you have too much weight on the front or rear cables. You risk breaking a cable. The weight has to be distributed equally on the front and rear cables. In a storm, this can also be a factor in your boat being washed off the lift despite being in it’s highest position.
What happens when the boat is too far forward or backward? For more information See https://wisconsinpws.com/wp-admin/post.php?post=1944&action=edit
After all this, you now have the proper lift capacity and the correct width. That about sums it up.
By the way – What would be our recommendation for this example – a ShoreMaster vertical boat lift – SM4010 DVS. (4,000# capacity, 120” wide).
Happy Boating!
Need Help Selecting a Boat Lift For Your Home or Cottage?
Do you have a friend that may be interested in this information? Please share a link to this page with them.
PWS is located at 7325 St. Hwy 57. That’s 1 mile North of County MM (Hwy 42) and 3 miles South of Sturgeon Bay at the Idlewild Road intersection.
Our staff is here year-round to assist you.
Feb 19, 2019
WHAT SIZE BOATLIFT DO I NEED?
What size boatlift do you need? Purchasing a new boatlift does not have to be a confusing time. Yet, you have a lot to consider before making your final decision. By spending a little time here, you will be better educated and able to ask the right questions. Ultimately it will ensure you make a better choice.
In addition to getting the numbers, here are some things to consider:
How big is the body of water you will be on?
For instance, will you be on the bay of Green Bay, Lake Winnebago or are you on an inland lake or river? In general, the larger the body of water, the larger the waves will be and the higher your boat must be.
Are there significant fluctuations in water depth during the boating season?
Green Bay and Lake Winnebago present unique situations for boaters because these two bodies of water have substantial variations in water depth and wave action every year. Why are these fluctuations so significant?
When these two situations combine, you want a lift that puts your boat well above the water, so your investment is safe.
How about the boatlift frame construction?
You need a durable frame construction to withstand the boat weight and pressures from the waveWelded side frames prevent any lateral movement in the lift. With age, every time you put your boat on them, bolted side frames move laterally. This will eventually result in enlarged bolt holes, rusted bolts, and loose nuts from the movement of the side frames.
Welded Areas on Side Frames
Compare to other manufacturers
Most brands use bolts everywhere, so shipping is less expensive. The more bolts used in the side frames, the weaker the entire structure is. By comparison, the ShoreMaster boatlift with welded side frames prevents lateral movement.
Only ShoreMaster boatlifts have a welded “V” frame to make access to your boat easier. You do not have to crawl over a horizontal bar to get into your boat.
What is the gauge (material thickness) of the Frame?
The best-constructed boatlifts have aluminum, welded frames using heavy gauge, square or rectangular aluminum. Round vertical legs are not as strong as a square or rectangular leg. As a result, with structurally welded frames and the heaviest gauge tubing, you have the most durable frames possible. We urge you to compare ShoreMaster lifts with any other brand.
What material is used for the pulley?
No matter what size boatlift you purchase pulley material is a critical maintenance issue for any boatlift. Most manufacturers use plastic pulleys because they are cheaper to make. On the other hand, they get brittle over time. The sides of the groove tend to crack and break off allowing the cable to fall out of the pulley. If the cable is already weakened due to rust or broken strands, the cable may break.
Plastic Pulleys
However, if the cable does not break, two things can happen:
- The cable may jam between the pulley and the tube side. As a result, it will become very difficult to raise or even lower the boat. or
- The cable may drag across the pulley shaft. This will put an excessive drag on the cable and eventually wear a groove in the shaft until it breaks the shaft off.
Brass Pulleys
ShoreMaster uses brass pulleys with stainless steel bushings for unsurpassed strength. They simply NEVER wear out or break. Even the smaller jet ski lifts use brass pulleys to minimize maintenance issues.
What is the most popular boatlift used on the Door County Peninsula?
Vertical Boat Lift
The VERTICAL boat lift is the most popular boat lift in Door Couty. It far surpasses the cantilever boatlifts used in the past.
Vertical boatlifts require less water – 6″ vs 12″. They also raise your boat higher. Normal cantilever boatlifts raise your boat 36″ – 40″ high versus a vertical lift which goes to 66″ high. Vertical lifts have capacities up to 7,000 lb.
What is the warranty of the boatlift frame?
Some boatlifts come with a 1 or 2-year factory structural warranty. Some have a five year, and a few have a 10-year warranty. ShoreMaster boatlifts carry a full 15-year structural warranty.
Don’t you deserve the best protection and strength of a ShoreMaster Boatlift?
In Part 4 of this series, the discussion will be the actual calculations to select the correct size boatlift.
Publication Dates
Part 1 of 4 – Cantilever, PWC, ShorePorts, Tracks Feb 5, 2019
2 of 4 – Hydraulic, Elevator Lifts, Floating lifts Feb 12, 2019
3 of 4 – Vertical lifts Feb 19, 2019
4 of 4 – Calculations Feb 26. 2019
Do you have a friend that may be interested in this information? Please share a link to this article with them.
PWS is located at 7325 St. Hwy 42/57, that’s 1 mile North of County MM (Hwy 42) and 3 miles South of Sturgeon Bay at the Idlewild Road intersection
Our staff is here year-round to assist you.
