Purchasing a new boat lift is a very confusing time You have a lot to consider before making your decision. This article will help you make your lift selection easier.
Where will you be using the boat lift?
One factor in your lift selection process is its suitability for the body of water you will be using it on. Will you be on a large bay or lake where waves can be strong? Will it be a river or small lake with minimal wave action?
In NE Wisconsin, Green Bay and Lake Winnebago present unique problems for boaters. These two bodies of water have significant fluctuations in water depth and wave action. Wave action of 3 or more feet added to increasing water depth during a surge will cause significant problems for boaters.
When these two factors combine, you will want a lift that raises high enough to keep your investment from being damaged.
Consider Frame Construction
You need durable frame construction to withstand the boat weight and pressures from the moving water.
ShoreMaster Vertical Boat Lift with welded side frames
Are the side frames all welded construction? Are the side frames simply bolted together? Most brands use bolts everywhere, so shipping is less expensive. This results in frame movement over time. Movement results in elongated holes and a weaker frame structure.
What are the Boat Lift Frame Materials?
The most popular boat lifts in N.E. Wisconsin has aluminum frames and stainless steel cables.
What is the Warranty of the frame material?
Boat lifts come with a 1 or 2-year factory structural warranty. Some have a five year, and a few even have a 10-year warranty.
ShoreMaster boat lifts carry a full 15-year structural warranty. This 15-year warranty is the result of the all-welded side frames. Bolts are only used to assemble the side frames to the cross members.
Most brands use bolts everywhere, so shipping is less expensive, but this results in frame movement over time. Movement results in elongated holes and a weaker frame structure.
Your boat deserves the extra protection and strength of a ShoreMaster boat lift.
What type of cable do they use?
Boat lifts today have either galvanized, stainless steel or a combination of both. Stainless steel cables last as much as 2 – 4X longer than galvanized cable. Stainless steel cable is not as strong as galvanized but the manufacturers increase the cable and winch diameters to compensate.
There are limits to the diameter of the cabling used. The winch drum diameter limits the cable diameter. A thick cable wrapping around a small drum flexes the cable unnaturally resulting in premature cable failure.
Boat length, width, and weight?
Consider not only the length, width, and weight of the boat you have now but also the possibility of a larger boat in the future. This may not be the deciding factor in your boat lift decision, but don’t ignore it altogether. It can be the difference between:
Buying a new boat OR
Buying a new boat AND a new boat lift.
Manual or Electric operation
Do you want to raise your boat by using the hand wheel or use a motor to do all the work for you? Nature powers most lift motors through a D.C. motor and battery setup.
ShoreMaster Boat Lift with a DC Motor
A.C. versions, while available, require 120 V power at the boat site and need more care to prevent electrical shock.
Resale values
While cantilever boat lifts generally cost less than vertical lifts initially, consider the resale value if you decide to get a larger boat which requires a new lift. Cantilever lifts typically have less resale value because they can be used in fewer applications. Vertical lifts allow you to function in shallower water and raise your boat higher. For this reason, they hold their value more than a cantilever boat lift.
See Part 2 for additional information
Where can you find the solution to any boatlift situation?
At Pier & Waterfront Solutions, of course!
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. Look for the Idlewild Road intersection.
Our staff is ready to assist year round.
Call If you want to see an issue discussed on our site.
Call Jerry at 920-493-4404 or Email Jerry@wisconsinpws.comwith any questions.
A PWC Lift is used to protect your Jet ski or PWC from the elements.
In Part 1 of this series we discussed cantilevered and Vertical Lifts. In part 2, we examine two additional PWC lift options for protecting your jet ski.
The Vertical Jet Ski Lift is by far the most popular means of protecting your jet ski. It is especially useful on the Bay of Green Bay because it is the best option for rough water applications. The ability to raise your jet ski up to 50” high is vital whenever you encounter large waves.
However, what about calm water like a river or small inland lake? There is another option available for these situations.
ShorePort PWC lift by ShoreMaster.
The ShorePort is not your traditional “lift” in the sense that it is a drive on PWC lift. There are No cables, No winches, No moving parts and No motors needed. You simply drive on the unit.
ShorePort PWC Lift by ShoreMaster
The ShorePort has a walkway on both sides for easy maintenance and access. ShorePorts are used wherever there is little wave action or where there is significant fluctuation in water depth. The ShorePort PWC lift can fluctuate an unlimited amount because it floats with the water level. Rising water levels in a river after a rainstorm presents no problem for the ShorePort.
Even kids can handle this one. If they can drive a Jet Ski, they can handle the ShorePort PWC Lift.
Is there another type of PWC lift available?
If you have a permanent pier or a concrete pier you could use a “Swinger” or “Tide Tamer” lift. The lift must be mounted to the side of a permanent structure. They raise the jet ski vertically.
Swinger Pier Mounted Lift
The unique feature about this lift is that you have the ability to “swing” the entire jet ski over the top of the pier for storage, refueling or maintenance with little effort. Thus the name.
Swinger PWC Jet Ski Lift
This style of lift cannot be attached to any portable pier or dock.
Basic models come with a winch only, but most people will add a motor for ease of operation.
Single and Double units are available also.
Where can you find Pier & 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.
Our staff is always ready to serve your needs year round.
Don’t forget – Give us a call If you have a dock or boatlift topic you would like to see addressed on our site,
Vertical Jet Ski Lifts and Dock Platforms were discussed in Part 1 and 2 of this series. In this final segment, we examine permanent pier mounted lifts and track systems.
You will see both types of PWC Lifts used in select locations and situations In Door County,
Three of these pier mounted lifts operate in a similar manner with slight variations. These units go by names like Swinger, Tide Tamer, and Davitmaster.
Each pier mounted lift model requires a rigid, mounting on a solid, permanent pier. Steel pipes may be embedded in rock, or to concrete-capped bases, to secure the piers.
The cantilevered PWC weight generates leverage and thus requires a large mass to mount the lift. Without this type of massive base, the dock will suffer structural damage.
DavitMaster Pier Mounted Lift
Tide Tamer Pier Mounted Lift
These pier mounted lifts have two advantages. First, the PWC usually rotates over the dock itself for storage, repairs or covering. Secondly, the lifting height will be limited by the workable drum diameter of the winch.
What are track systems?
The final type of Jet Ski system is the track system similar to the Roll-n-Go shown here.
Roll n go track system
A series of covered rollers and a winch are used to pull the PWC to the shoreline. A cart may be used on the track when the weight of the unit exceeds 2000#.
Where is Pier & Waterfront Solutions Located?
We are located in the center of the Door County Peninsula at 7325 St. Hwy 57. That’s just 1 mile North of County MM (Hwy 42) and 3 miles South of Sturgeon Bay. Look for the Idlewild Road intersection.
Our staff is always ready year-round to address your needs.
Give us a call If you have a dock or boat lift topic you would like to see addressed.
Call Jerry at 920-493-4404 or Email Jerry@wisconsinpws.com for more information.
In part 1 of this 3 part series, we discuss Vertical PWC lifts. In part 2 we discuss the ShorePort Dock Platforms. Finally, in Part 3 we discuss a third option specifically for permanent piers.
Each type of PWC lift or Dock Platform has a distinct use depending on the body of water its used on. The ShorePort Dock Platform is the simplest, maintenance free option for rivers and lakes. It is ideal for bodies of water with minimal wave action.
What about a dock for use on the rivers or inland lakes?
Rivers and lakes are ideal locations for using the ShorePort PWC docks. What could be easier than driving directly onto the floating dock? You can stay dry when you step onto the floating platform.
The biggest Advantages include –
no wheels to turn – just drive right up onto the dock. So easy – Even the kids can do it!
ShoreMaster ShorePort PWC Dock
1. 1,150# capacity (easily handling the new 3 seat PWC’s);
2. Easy on and off;
3. A walking platform included for easy access; and
4. No winches or motors required.
Watch this youtube video for more information
Where is Pier & Waterfront Solutions Located?
We are located in the center of the Door County Peninsula at 7325 St Hwy 57. That’s just 1 mile North of County MM (Hwy 42) and 3 miles South of Sturgeon Bay. Look for the Idlewild Road intersection.
Our staff is always ready year-round to address your needs.
Give us a call If you have a dock or boat lift topic you would like to see addressed on our site,
Welding (verb): to join pieces of metal together by heating the edges until they begin to melt and then pressing them together (merriam-webster.com).
Such a simple definition, yet a concept that is utterly important to your waterfront equipment. Take two pieces of aluminum and bring them together to create a masterpiece of strength and durability. Quality welding lets you enjoy the waterfront to the fullest. At ShoreMaster, welding isn’t just a process with heat and meta -l it’s an art form. It requires diligent practice. ShoreMaster welders – all 19 of them – take great care to ensure that the docks and boat lifts that leave their facility are built to last. The product is built to enjoy and built beautifully. The welders have a passion for the waterfront and a pride in their craft that is unmatched.
Who does the dock welding at ShoreMaster?
ShoreMaster welding
Danny Kugler, the welding supervisor, has been with ShoreMaster since 1986 and a welder since1987. “I got into welding because it was an opportunity to get to work with my hands but also to get to create something that I knew people would love to use. I got to be a part of this unique process of creation and manufacturing.”
Kugler has seen many changes and advancements in welding technology and systems; like the introduction of the ShoreMaster robotic welder in 2001. Danny actually programed the current robot used on the ShoreMaster production floor. “It was a big change for us. It was exciting, but a big change. I didn’t really know what to expect but I knew that it had the potential to be something really great for us.”
The robotic welder (shown below) – welds a variety of parts including Infinity RS 4 frames, foot pads, leg posts and more. It automates the welding process and allows for consistent, efficient, repetitive welding. Consistency is very important. Kugler says, “It’s great for a lot of our team. It brings a lot of efficiency to some of the smaller parts and frames so that our guys can focus on the larger frames and materials.
On a truss frame there is no replacement for two sets of hands and a welders special touch. For a lot of our stuff a robotic welder does just great.”
Found this article helpful? Call Jerryat 920-493-4404 or Email Jerry@wisconsinpws.comfor more information. Also go to “NEWS” on any page of our website for a complete list of articles meant to keep you informed on the latest product information and maintenance issues.
