Considering a Boat Lift

Frank · 12-26-2008, 02:33 PM

We have a hydraulic Sunstream lift (http://www.sunstreamcorp.com/Sunlift.htm) for our 26' Formula. It is powered by a marine battery that is recharged by a small solar panel, all contained in one box that sits on the doc and connects to the lift via a couple of hoses. We got the lift some years ago at Watermark. The permitting process back then was pretty simple, but I don't know what you have to do now.

We have Winnipesaukee Marine come by and put our lift in in the spring and take it out in the fall. We leave it out on our dock during the winter (we have a large dock). But, a few (4 or 5?) strong guys could do that in/out work too - our situation is complicated because the lift is placed inside the U of a U-shaped dock, so we can't just drag in into the water from the beach, as the water outside the U is pretty deep. We would have to float it and swim it in. It is easier to just have a crane lift it and place it. YMMV.

We love the lift! It has a remote control and is very easy to use; we can raise and lower it from the boat. On rough days it is worth its weight in gold as our boat stays secure even in the worst weather.

Good luck!
Frank

Little Bear · 12-26-2008, 03:14 PM

Another vote for Sunstream Lift and Watermark. I have 2 of the hydraulic Sunstream lifts that I had purchased from, and installed by Watermark. The lifts keep the boats high and dry, and also keep the boat bottom clean all season long.

Lakepilot · 12-26-2008, 03:45 PM

Likewise we have a hydraulic lift from Watermark for our 25' Cobalt.We have them take it out and put it in every year. They will get any permits if needed.

Water Camper · 12-27-2008, 08:30 AM

Where is Watermark located ?

Thanks,
Bill

upthesaukee · 12-27-2008, 08:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Water Camper

Where is Watermark located ?

Thanks,
Bill

http://www.docksource.com/

Happy New Year

SIKSUKR · 12-29-2008, 11:20 AM

Across from the airport off rt11 in Gilford.

Pricestavern · 12-29-2008, 01:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Little Bear

Another vote for Sunstream Lift and Watermark. I have 2 of the hydraulic Sunstream lifts that I had purchased from, and installed by Watermark. The lifts keep the boats high and dry, and also keep the boat bottom clean all season long.

A 3rd positive vote for Sunstream. Living on the Broads-side and not having a breakwater, the lift is worth every penny. Watermark does a great job, too. We store ours on top of the dock in the winter, too. Very sturdy, easy to use, self contained. Keeps the dock from being beaten up by the boat, too.

fatlazyless · 12-29-2008, 10:13 PM

You can find a totally manual lift by Shore Station, Shore Master, and Hewitt in the classified. One big advantage that the wire cable-elevator lifts have over the Sunstream hydraulic-electric powered is they give you a staging girder on both sides of the boat which is good for working on the boat. Plus, they are like $5000. less expensive than a Sunstream hydrauiic. Suggest you check out the Shore Station 3600lb model Also, a 12v or 110v motor is available for about $500. extra as an add-on, later on..

codeman671 · 12-29-2008, 10:19 PM

We have two of the Sunstream mini-lifts and they work great. These are the smaller, 2000lb capacity for small boats or pwc. I have looked into putting a few larger lifts in and will either end up with Sunstream seasonal or a Hi-Tide permanent lifts as my dock is permanent.

The permitting process is easy for a seasonal lift. It must be in an existing slip, it cannot be placed adjacent to a slip in order to add additional parking.

ishoot308 · 12-29-2008, 10:35 PM

Codeman;

Do you use a lift for your Manitou also?? If so which brand?

Thanks!

Dan

Water Camper · 12-30-2008, 12:42 PM

FLL,

Which Classified are you referring to ?

Bill

fatlazyless · 12-30-2008, 08:11 PM

For finding boatlifts in the classified try doing a search of Shore Station, or Shore Master, or Hewitt, or just 'boat lift' in the craigslist-new hampshire boats section. Also, boat lifts are somewhat popular on Lake Champlain so craigslist-vermont is worth a search. Ditto for craigslist-massachusetts and probably maine.

To legally transport an assembled boat lift over the road in New Hampshire without a wide load permit, it needs to be 8'6" wide maximum, and can be hauled with a snowmobile trailer. Also, they can be partially disassembled. So, unless it is a very large boatlift, the width is probably not a problem, as typically the width is maybe 8'5 1/2"wide.

fatlazyless · 12-30-2008, 08:34 PM

Ok, so I just googled "boat lift craigslist" and the first page has nine different boat lift listings from different craigslists in Chicago, Milwaukee, Minneapolis, Fort Wayne, Muskegon, Madison, Detroit, Chicago, Appleton. No doubt, all are too far for a New Hampshire purchase but what with the photographs and listing info, you start to get a boat lift education.

Maybe post a listing in craigslist-new hampshire-boat for "Want to buy-your old boatlift-anyone thinking about upgrading their old lift for a super-duper, big money Sunsation hydraulic-electric if only you can unload the old cable-aluminum lift by Shore Station, Shore Master or Hewitt. Will be happy to come and remove it!

The older style definately have their advantages, because they are not just a lift, but they are also a staging that provides a catwalk on both sides which is handy for waxing and repairs. Something that the Sunsations design do not have as they are a totally different animal.

codeman671 · 12-30-2008, 11:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ishoot308

Codeman;

Do you use a lift for your Manitou also?? If so which brand?

Thanks!

Dan

No, we don't use a lift on the Manitou. I keep it on an outer slip on the inside away from boat wake or if the dock is empty on an inside slip 4 way tied.

I don't think a Sunstream is a good option for a tritoon like the manitou, unless you plan on modifying it extensively. Glenn at Watermark told me at one point that the mfg was working on an option to work with tritoons but I am not sure where that went. Either a vertical or cantilever style with multiple bunks would be a better fit.

12-26-2008, 03:14 PM	#2
Little Bear Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Posts: 581 Thanks: 125 Thanked 248 Times in 134 Posts	Ditto that Another vote for Sunstream Lift and Watermark. I have 2 of the hydraulic Sunstream lifts that I had purchased from, and installed by Watermark. The lifts keep the boats high and dry, and also keep the boat bottom clean all season long.

12-27-2008, 08:30 AM	#4
Water Camper Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Pembroke, NH / Laconia, NH Posts: 451 Thanks: 10 Thanked 207 Times in 89 Posts	Watermark Where is Watermark located ? Thanks, Bill

12-29-2008, 11:20 AM	#6
SIKSUKR Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Posts: 5,075 Thanks: 215 Thanked 903 Times in 509 Posts	Across from the airport off rt11 in Gilford. __________________ SIKSUKR

12-29-2008, 10:13 PM	#8
fatlazyless Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Posts: 8,923 Blog Entries: 1 Thanks: 306 Thanked 1,056 Times in 769 Posts	You can find a totally manual lift by Shore Station, Shore Master, and Hewitt in the classified. One big advantage that the wire cable-elevator lifts have over the Sunstream hydraulic-electric powered is they give you a staging girder on both sides of the boat which is good for working on the boat. Plus, they are like $5000. less expensive than a Sunstream hydrauiic. Suggest you check out the Shore Station 3600lb model Also, a 12v or 110v motor is available for about $500. extra as an add-on, later on.. __________________ .... Banned for life from local thrift store!

12-29-2008, 10:35 PM	#10
ishoot308 Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Gilford, NH / Welch Island Posts: 6,367 Thanks: 2,422 Thanked 5,349 Times in 2,093 Posts	Toon Lift Codeman; Do you use a lift for your Manitou also?? If so which brand? Thanks! Dan

12-26-2008, 02:33 PM	#1
Frank Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Posts: 54 Thanks: 0 Thanked 2 Times in 2 Posts	We have a hydraulic Sunstream lift (http://www.sunstreamcorp.com/Sunlift.htm) for our 26' Formula. It is powered by a marine battery that is recharged by a small solar panel, all contained in one box that sits on the doc and connects to the lift via a couple of hoses. We got the lift some years ago at Watermark. The permitting process back then was pretty simple, but I don't know what you have to do now. We have Winnipesaukee Marine come by and put our lift in in the spring and take it out in the fall. We leave it out on our dock during the winter (we have a large dock). But, a few (4 or 5?) strong guys could do that in/out work too - our situation is complicated because the lift is placed inside the U of a U-shaped dock, so we can't just drag in into the water from the beach, as the water outside the U is pretty deep. We would have to float it and swim it in. It is easier to just have a crane lift it and place it. YMMV. We love the lift! It has a remote control and is very easy to use; we can raise and lower it from the boat. On rough days it is worth its weight in gold as our boat stays secure even in the worst weather. Good luck! Frank

12-26-2008, 03:45 PM	#3
Lakepilot Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Posts: 446 Thanks: 70 Thanked 57 Times in 40 Posts	Likewise we have a hydraulic lift from Watermark for our 25' Cobalt.We have them take it out and put it in every year. They will get any permits if needed.

12-29-2008, 10:19 PM	#9
codeman671 Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 3,551 Thanks: 222 Thanked 834 Times in 504 Posts	We have two of the Sunstream mini-lifts and they work great. These are the smaller, 2000lb capacity for small boats or pwc. I have looked into putting a few larger lifts in and will either end up with Sunstream seasonal or a Hi-Tide permanent lifts as my dock is permanent. The permitting process is easy for a seasonal lift. It must be in an existing slip, it cannot be placed adjacent to a slip in order to add additional parking.

12-30-2008, 12:42 PM	#11
Water Camper Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Pembroke, NH / Laconia, NH Posts: 451 Thanks: 10 Thanked 207 Times in 89 Posts	Classified FLL, Which Classified are you referring to ? Bill

12-30-2008, 08:11 PM	#12
fatlazyless Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Posts: 8,923 Blog Entries: 1 Thanks: 306 Thanked 1,056 Times in 769 Posts	For finding boatlifts in the classified try doing a search of Shore Station, or Shore Master, or Hewitt, or just 'boat lift' in the craigslist-new hampshire boats section. Also, boat lifts are somewhat popular on Lake Champlain so craigslist-vermont is worth a search. Ditto for craigslist-massachusetts and probably maine. To legally transport an assembled boat lift over the road in New Hampshire without a wide load permit, it needs to be 8'6" wide maximum, and can be hauled with a snowmobile trailer. Also, they can be partially disassembled. So, unless it is a very large boatlift, the width is probably not a problem, as typically the width is maybe 8'5 1/2"wide. __________________ .... Banned for life from local thrift store!

12-30-2008, 08:34 PM	#13
fatlazyless Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Posts: 8,923 Blog Entries: 1 Thanks: 306 Thanked 1,056 Times in 769 Posts	Ok, so I just googled "boat lift craigslist" and the first page has nine different boat lift listings from different craigslists in Chicago, Milwaukee, Minneapolis, Fort Wayne, Muskegon, Madison, Detroit, Chicago, Appleton. No doubt, all are too far for a New Hampshire purchase but what with the photographs and listing info, you start to get a boat lift education. Maybe post a listing in craigslist-new hampshire-boat for "Want to buy-your old boatlift-anyone thinking about upgrading their old lift for a super-duper, big money Sunsation hydraulic-electric if only you can unload the old cable-aluminum lift by Shore Station, Shore Master or Hewitt. Will be happy to come and remove it! The older style definately have their advantages, because they are not just a lift, but they are also a staging that provides a catwalk on both sides which is handy for waxing and repairs. Something that the Sunsations design do not have as they are a totally different animal. __________________ .... Banned for life from local thrift store!