Jul 31, 2018
Boat safety
Boat safety should be part of Wisconsin’s three great seasons for boating. Yes, 3 seasons and then comes winter!
Boat SafetyTips
Boat Safety Rule #1- Everyone needs one
- Life Jackets are Mandatory: We all understand that life jackets can save lives. But so many of us don’t bother wearing them when we hit the water. Whether you don’t like the way they feel, or they don’t look cool, life jackets are there for a purpose. Make sure all kids wear their life jackets. A life jacket could easily save your child’s life. Besides – It’s the Law.
- Just like driving a car – Drinking and driving do NOT mix: Have a designated driver if you plan to drink. In Wisconsin boating violations, like drunk driving, count against your driver’s license and your insurance premiums.
- Check Your Lights: Are all of your boat’s lights working correctly? Don’t forget how quickly the sun sets. You don’t want to go back in the dark.
- Watch the Weather: Summer weather in Wisconsin can be unpredictable. Make sure you check the forecast and continue to keep tabs on the weather throughout the day. Don’t get caught in a sudden storm. It only takes about 15 minutes to go from clouds to a violent storm on the Bay.
Avoiding Boating Accidents
Here’s a hard fact: Boating accidents, like failure to yield right of way, to approaching a dock too fast, are all too common. Most of these accidents were avoidable.
Maybe I should have turned wider
Additionally, 15% of all boating deaths had alcohol involved. Another 83% of drowning victims did not have a PFD.
It’s not a question IF boating accidents are a problem but instead, what can be done to reduce the rate of these accidents?
How You Can Prevent a Boating Accident
- Boating and Booze Do Not Mix: Do not drink and operate your vessel. If you take drinking and driving your car seriously, then the same caution should be exercised on the water.
Boat Safety Rule #3- Don’t get a visit from him
Operating a boat while over the alcohol limit is illegal and puts everyone on the water at risk. You have slowed reaction times and a lack of judgment.
- Make PFDs mandatory: So often, an otherwise minimal accident can turn tragic if a passenger falls into the water without it. Remember, they do not have a seatbelt.
Though you may be a good swimmer, there are many ways that you could end up injured and unable to swim. That’s not to mention the possibility of rough waves, which could make swimming back to your boat impossible.
- Follow posted speed and wake limits and stay vigilant for risks.
Like car accidents, some things are out of your control. However, boating accidents are minimized if boaters simply:
- Stay sober behind the wheel,
- Wear PFDs,
- Follow speed and wake limits, and
- Brush up on the essential safety standards of operation.
Is a Boat Safety Course for you?
If you’re a new boater, boating safety courses are a no-brainer. Here are some take-homes you will learn:
- Boat Operation: There are some easily overlooked best practices that can help you avoid collisions, run aground or otherwise damage your boat.
- Emergency Procedures: From fires to dangerous weather, when you’re facing an emergency on the water, every second counts.
- Navigation: Even if you know your favorite boating spot like the back of your hand, there are too many variables to go without trip planning and preparation. These classes can teach you the safest ways to plan your next boating trip.
- Equipment: Even the safest boaters should know what equipment could save their lives in emergency situations. Ensure that all of your safety equipment is up to the task of keeping you and yours out of danger.
- Emergency Cut-Off Switch: If you go overboard, the last thing you want to see is your boat speeding away from you – especially if you aren’t wearing your PFD. Use a kill switch/emergency or cut-off switch fastened to your clothing. This ensures that the engine will shut off if you find yourself thrown into the water. It’s much like the shutoff switch on a treadmill at the gym.
- Keep Contact: Keep others informed about your boating plans. Let them know where you are going, especially if boating alone. Always keep a VHF radio on you, as well as your cell phone, safely stored in a waterproof container.
Boating safety classes will teach you the right procedure for most critical situations you may encounter while boating.
Practice boat safety and enjoy the ride.
Reminder
PWS is located in the center of Door County at 7325 St Hwy 57. It is located 1 mile North of County MM (Hwy 42) and South of Sturgeon Bay. Look for the intersection of Idlewild Road.
Want us to address a dock or boat lift topic for you? Feel free to give us a call.
Call Jerry at 920-493-4404 or Email Jerry@wisconsinpws.com for more information.
Jul 10, 2018
When does a Lift Cable need Replacement?
Lift Cable replacement depends on a variety of conditions:
- Was the lift adequately sized for the boat?
Properly wound Boat lift cable
- Did you change boats since you originally bought the lift?
- Is there visual damage to the cable?
- How well is the lift cable maintained?
- How often has it been lubricated?
- What lubricant is used?
- Is the cable winding correctly on the winch drum?
- Are the cables frayed?
- Is there corrosion on the cable?
When & How Do I Inspect a Lift Cable?
The best time to inspect the cables is when it is on dry land. That way you can check all of the critical points. Ideally, the lifting rack is in the lowered position, so more cable is exposed at the winch. Try not to let the cables go slack by lowering the rack too far.
If you inspect the lift while it’s in the water, raise the lift rack out of the water to do the inspection. A complete inspection at the bottom of the lift cable should be done when the lift is on the shore again.
In both cases, examine all exposed cables for frayed or rusted wires. Pay particular attention to the cable coming from the winch.
What does a frayed boat lift cable look like?
Frayed Boat Lift Cable
Look for frayed or rusted areas on the cable. The greater the number of frayed wires the greater the risk of failure.
Excessive rust on the cable means there could be major rust inside. Rust indicates a major weakening of the cable
and should be monitored carefully.
CAUTION – Always wear leather gloves when sliding your hands on these cables. The leather will protect your hands from a frayed wire which can be a painful experience for unprotected hands. Cloth gloves will not protect you.
The Next Thing to Inspect
What type of pulley material is used on the lift rack? To cut costs, some manufacturers still use a hard, black plastic pulley. These require extra attention. DO NOT lubricate any of these pulleys. Doing so will only contaminate the water.
If you have the black plastic pulleys (or any plastic pulley for that matter) follow these instructions:
With the rack above the water look inside the exposed ends of the rack tubes:
- Are the sides of the pulleys broken or bent over? (Common with plastic pullies)
- Are the cables still riding on the pulleys?
To completely check the pulleys, you should have someone raise the rack so you can see the entire pulley as it turns. The pulley sides could be damaged, and you can only see a portion of it from the ends of the tubes. Do this at all four corners.
A plastic pulley on a boat lift Cable
Brass pullies on a Boat Lift Cable
DO NOT place your fingers inside the tube to inspect it when it is moving. You may lose your finger.
Why are Plastic Pulleys inferior?
A lift cable will easily slip off a cracked or broken plastic pulley. With the lift cable off the pulley, the load on the cable is more than double the usual tension. It also results in broken internal wire strands due to the reduced diameter of the new bearing surface.
In this situation, the pulley needs to be replaced immediately. The heavier the boat, the more important this is.
FYI in the case of the brass pulleys used on a ShoreMaster lift, we have never seen a broken or chipped pulley. Note: Only the original vertical jet ski lifts from ShoreMaster had plastic pulleys. ShoreMaster corrected this problem almost immediately and only use brass pulleys on all their lifts today.
One Final Thing to Look For
If you have a sandy beach, look for sand inside the tubes. If sand is built up inside the rack tubes, remove it as soon as possible by flushing the tube out. A sand packed tube can happen after a storm when:
- The water was heavily agitated on a sandy beach; and
- While the rack is in a lowered position.
Sand can pack so tight in the tube that the cable can not move through it. The same is true of seaweed that gets into the tubes.
In Part 2 of this 2 part series, we discuss the types of cables used on lifts today. We will also address the life expectancy of cables.
SEE also – When Should a Lift Cable Be Replaced? PART 2 of 2 – UPDATED
Reminder
PWS is located in the center of Door County at 7325 St Hwy 57. It is located 1 mile North of County MM (Hwy 42) and South of Sturgeon Bay. Look for the intersection of Idlewild Road.
Want us to address a dock or boat lift topic for you? Feel free to give us a call.
Call Jerry at 920-493-4404 or Email Jerry@wisconsinpws.com for more information.
Apr 17, 2018
Ice Shoves have stalled the Spring Install Season
Ice shoves have stalled the Spring Install season.
Mother Nature has proven to be a real challenge in 2018. PWS was able to complete a few installs when winter returned with a vengeance!
Instead of a beautiful Wisconsin Spring as we had the last couple of years, the Door County peninsula got 10″ of wet, heavy snow. These events were followed by temperatures near freezing and even MORE snow!
Instead of this:
Relaxing on the dock
We see this:
2018 Ice Shove on Sun & Surf
LOOKING BACK
In 2016 we saw a few ice shoves like this:
Spring 2016 Ice Shove
Then, in 2017 we saw this:
Spring – 2017 Ice Shove
TODAY – we see the SAME boat house with an even bigger ice shove.
2018 Arrowhead Beach – Crushing a boathouse
It did not fare well as you can see.
2018 Crushed boathouse on Arrowhead Beach
The ice has heavily damaged this home even though there was a seawall and more than 100 feet between the house and shoreline. We won’t even talk about the trees and seawall damage occurring all along this stretch.
Ice shove lifting a deck and crushing a house
Ice shoves, caused by strong winds, are damaging sea walls and landscaping, That is not to mention, the docks and lift equipment stored on shore. The ice shoves are happening up and down the peninsula. See our previous article if you are not familiar with this phenomena. https://wisconsinpws.com/ice-shove/
What to expect in 2018
IF and WHEN the weather improves, the forecast for this year is to have up to an additional 10″ of water depth. There is still lots of snow in Northern Wisconsin and more coming. The snow will eventually melt and the Spring rains will come. (If we even have a Spring)
As of this publication date, the inland lakes and Bay of Green Bay are locked in ice. More near zero temperatures and heavy snow are in the forecast.
Is PWS ready?
Our trucks, trailers and All Terrain Forklifts are ready to go. Even our crews are getting anxious to start. They have a lot of work to do and not much time to do it. Even with additional crews and overtime, it is a real challenge this year.
Everybody is waiting for the ice to go out and stay out. Some areas open up in the morning. Then, later in the day the wind shifts and the ice comes back in the same location.
Bear with us and we will keep you informed in future posts.
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.
Don’t forget – Give us a call If you have a dock or boatlift topic you would like to see addressed on our site,
Call Jerry at 920-493-4404 or Email Jerry@wisconsinpws.com for more information.
Apr 10, 2018
CANOPY COVERS JUST GOT A REAL BOOST IN QUALITY
Canopy covers just got a REAL boost in quality. Our supplier, ShoreMaster, finalized the details of a new boat lift canopy cover vendor agreement. PWS has improved canopy cover lead times, and better fabric options for our customers. The new agreement is with the largest canopy cover vendor in the country. It allows us to satisfy your requests for improvements and color selections. At the same time, we strengthen our position as a leader in the boat lift canopy cover market.
ShoreMaster Boat Lift Canopy Cover
Don’t have a ShoreMaster lift?
Don’t worry – we have the same quality canopies for almost every boat lift on the market. Have a ShoreStation, RGC, Porta-Dock boat lift? PWS has you covered!.
The current dynamics of the boat lift canopy cover market requires PWS:
- To be able to provide a high-quality product;
- In an ever-widening array of colors, sizes, and fabric choices; and to
- Do it with incredible speed-to-market.
PWS is excited by the new agreement. It allows us to satisfy our customer’s requests for options and lead time improvements.
The vendor has state of the art technology allows them to meet the market demands faster and with a wider selection. ShoreMaster has begun to offer its new line of canopy cover fabrics immediately to PWS.
Boat Lift Canopy covers by ShoreMaster
What’s different about them?
The new canopy covers will include a new and improved 13 oz. vinyl with a top coat. They are offered in a wide range of popular colors. The cover weighs 30% less than covers supplied by other dealers. Plus, it will improve the quality and strength of the covers.
These canopy covers are much easier to install, remove, clean and maintain. The new cover sacrifices nothing when compared to 18 oz coated fabrics in:
- tongue tear testing,
- UV resistance,
- strip tensile testing,
- grab tensile testing, and
- hydrostatic resistance tests.
In addition, ShoreMaster continues to offer its premium, light-weight WeatherMax canopy fabrics in a wide range of colors. Nothing beats this quality. PWS expects to see improved lead times, better fit and finish, and more options.
More colors, Higher strength, faster delivery – What more could you ask for?
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 want to see an issue discussed on our site.
Call Jerry at 920-493-4404 or Email Jerry@wisconsinpws.com for more information.
Mar 20, 2018
Pier & Waterfront Solutions (PWS) serves the Door County Peninsula
Pier & Waterfront Solutions (PWS) has become the respected name for Docks and Boatlifts in Door County. What do we offer?
- On-time, install and removal services;
ATF # 3 from Pier & Waterfront Solutions
- Year-round maintenance services;
- Marinas
- Free insurance quotes.
- Relocation services for waterfront equipment.
- Replacement lift canopies for most brands
Additionally, Pier & Waterfront Solutions (PWS) offers aluminum & steel welding repair services.
How long has ShoreMaster been providing waterfront equipment?
ShoreMaster Waterfront Equipment & PWS
ShoreMaster has covered the waterfront with world-class equipment for over 40 years. Along with Pier & Waterfront Solutions, they make it easy for people to actually enjoy their waterfront experience.
Is it time for you to call us? We will work hard to earn your business.
ShoreMaster’s complete lineup of products include:
- Residential & Commercial Docks;
- Floating Docks;
- Boat Lifts;
- Jet Ski Lifts;
- Swim Rafts:
- PolyDock Products;
- Canopies;
- Cleats;
- Dock lighting and more
Did we mention a full line of waterfront accessories too?
What other product lines does PWS carry?
As a Full-Service Boat Lift Company PWS offers:
Davit-Master (https://www.davitmaster.com) elevator, boat house & davit lifts;
Hi -Tide (www.hi-tide.com) davit lifts; (see pages 8-11); and
Sunstream Hydraulic lifts (http://www.sunstreamcorp.com/
Pier & Waterfront Solutions (PWS) outdoor sign
Pier & Waterfront Solutions specializes in ShoreMaster residential and commercial:
- docks;
- boatlifts; and
- accessories.
We service the other brands.
Where is PWS located?
PWS is 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 to serve your needs.
Give us a call If you have a dock or boat lift topic you would like to see addressed here,
Call Jerry at 920-493-4404 or Email Jerry@wisconsinpws.com for more information.
