Boat Lifts - Leave up or submerge?

ITD · 09-08-2010, 08:02 AM

Have it taken out and put one of these setups on it. I wouldn't leave it in, the ice will destroy it.

http://www.boatlifthelper.com/HowItWorks.html

fatlazyless · 09-08-2010, 08:28 AM

Depending on how much open water is created by your water circulator, and the approach location on the lake, there's definately a few snow-mobilers out there who go for the extra rush of skimming an open water, of say 100', in the ice. They gun the engine as they approach the open water, and lean back a little to make a better angle for the ribbed rubber traction belt to grab the water......and it's five seconds skimming the 34-degree water to cheat a possible icy drowning..... what a roaring noisy watery rush!

About twelve years ago, after trying to hire three guys on a weekend to remove my boatlift I got weary of all the hassle. After one of the prior year's 20-something helpers wound up engine exhaust-rubber hose to talepipe-asphixiated in a car, in a residential garage, in Florida, in a supposed suicide, which some presumed to be a drug related murder and not a suicide; I decided to approach my boat lift removal by myself, with no assistance. So, who wants hired help like that? Sometimes, you are just better off doing things by yourself, without introducing trouble onto your property.

Anyway, what I used to get done with four strong backs, now gets done by one person, myself, using some long planks and a boat trailer winch that gets attached to a tree. If the Egyptians were able to build the pyramids using all hand laborers, then one person can usually figure a way to remove a 400-lb boat lift!

Lots-o-luck! Just work like an Egyptian!

mastercraft · 09-08-2010, 03:22 PM

We leave all the lifts in year round. Never really had any problem at all, we put the boat lift down and then drag the jet ski lifts out where it is deeper and put buoys on them so in the spring we can just drag them back. Takes no time at all

Dock and Barge · 09-08-2010, 09:24 PM

As the owner of a barge company who takes care of 30 plus lifts during the winter, I would say leave it in if money is an issue. Make sure someone watchs the bubbler and the lift during the winter, crank it all the way down, disconnect from the box, leave the cables in the water as hydraulic fluid can freeze if cold enough. Then you don't need to worry about it. We take lifts out for $450.00 for a sl6000 if there is easy access. good luck

09-08-2010, 08:28 AM	#2
fatlazyless Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Posts: 8,796 Blog Entries: 1 Thanks: 301 Thanked 1,026 Times in 746 Posts	Depending on how much open water is created by your water circulator, and the approach location on the lake, there's definately a few snow-mobilers out there who go for the extra rush of skimming an open water, of say 100', in the ice. They gun the engine as they approach the open water, and lean back a little to make a better angle for the ribbed rubber traction belt to grab the water......and it's five seconds skimming the 34-degree water to cheat a possible icy drowning..... what a roaring noisy watery rush! About twelve years ago, after trying to hire three guys on a weekend to remove my boatlift I got weary of all the hassle. After one of the prior year's 20-something helpers wound up engine exhaust-rubber hose to talepipe-asphixiated in a car, in a residential garage, in Florida, in a supposed suicide, which some presumed to be a drug related murder and not a suicide; I decided to approach my boat lift removal by myself, with no assistance. So, who wants hired help like that? Sometimes, you are just better off doing things by yourself, without introducing trouble onto your property. Anyway, what I used to get done with four strong backs, now gets done by one person, myself, using some long planks and a boat trailer winch that gets attached to a tree. If the Egyptians were able to build the pyramids using all hand laborers, then one person can usually figure a way to remove a 400-lb boat lift! Lots-o-luck! Just work like an Egyptian! __________________ ... down and out, liv'n that Walmart side of the lake! Last edited by fatlazyless; 09-08-2010 at 09:07 AM.

09-08-2010, 09:24 PM	#4
Dock and Barge Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Posts: 29 Thanks: 1 Thanked 30 Times in 7 Posts	leave it in As the owner of a barge company who takes care of 30 plus lifts during the winter, I would say leave it in if money is an issue. Make sure someone watchs the bubbler and the lift during the winter, crank it all the way down, disconnect from the box, leave the cables in the water as hydraulic fluid can freeze if cold enough. Then you don't need to worry about it. We take lifts out for $450.00 for a sl6000 if there is easy access. good luck

09-08-2010, 08:02 AM	#1
ITD Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Moultonboro, NH Posts: 2,936 Thanks: 478 Thanked 695 Times in 390 Posts	Have it taken out and put one of these setups on it. I wouldn't leave it in, the ice will destroy it. http://www.boatlifthelper.com/HowItWorks.html

09-08-2010, 03:22 PM	#3
mastercraft Junior Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Posts: 11 Thanks: 1 Thanked 8 Times in 2 Posts	We leave all the lifts in year round. Never really had any problem at all, we put the boat lift down and then drag the jet ski lifts out where it is deeper and put buoys on them so in the spring we can just drag them back. Takes no time at all

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