An Ultimate Guide to Choosing the Right Boat Lift
Boat enthusiasts perfectly know that keeping their boats safe and secure is crucial to maintaining their investment. A boat lift that can protect and store the boat when not in use is one essential component of boat maintenance. However choosing the right boat lift for your needs is quite challenging due to there being many different types in the market. Therefore it’s crucial to consider the following tips as they help in making the right boat lift selection for your specific situation.
Its good to consider your boat specifications. This is an important tip you should first consider. Boats come in a wide range of sizes as well as heights and you need a boat lift that will be able to accommodate your boat’s dimensions and weight. Measuring your boat’s weight, width and length is important as it helps you in finding the right boat lift. This tip helps you in narrowing down your options and find a boat lift that can safely support your boat.
Consider your dock. Its worth factoring on this tip since you want a lift that will fit within the dock’s dimensions and is compatible with its materials. Also consider the water depth as well as the distance from the dock to the water. If you have a shallow water depth you may need a different type of lift than having deep water. A longer lift arm to reach your boat is needed if your dock is far from the water.
Consider the type lift. Boat lifts are available in different types and each has its own advantages and disadvantages. Those who need a portable lift or have a floating dock go for the first type which is floating boat lifts. Boat owners who have a fixed dock or shallow water option prefer bottom standing boat lifts. Third is suspended boat lifts which tend to be excellent option for boat owners with a deep water area or high dock. The right boat lift selection is made after taking into account all such different types.
Next is budget. Its good to consider your budget since boat lifts come in a wide range of prices. Initial costs should not be the only one considered but also maintenance and repair costs. Although you can find a cheaper lift, it may end up costing you more in the long run if it requires frequent repairs or even replacements. Rather go for quality lifts with reasonable costs.
Last is water and tides. They are worth consideration due to their effect on your boat lift choice. Those in areas with strong currents need lifts that can handle such conditions. Similarly if you are in an area with tidal changes there is need to choose a boat lift that can adjust to these fluctuations.