How to Choose the Ideal Boat Lift for Your Boat, Dock and Waters
As a new boat owner, you may be wondering how you can best protect your beloved investment. After all, buying a boat isn’t cheap and you want it to last you for years to come. One way to ensure your boat stays in good condition is to purchase a boat lift that elevates your craft above the water line so that it doesn’t sustain damage or require significant scrubbing come springtime.
Nisswa Marine is your Minnesota boat dealer. We have over 80 years of history on Nisswa Lake, so we’re ready to help boaters however we can. This boat lift buying guide should help you to figure out the type of lift that will work best for your purposes and situation.
Benefits
Lifting your boat offers several benefits you might not know about. Here are just a few of them:
- Store your boat year-round at the marina so you never have to transport it to and from the slip.
- Have instant access to your boat when the weather is good.
- Keep your boat protected from algae growth and other unsightly conditions caused by the water.
- Reduce damage to your docked boat caused by broken lines or loose rope connections.
Types of Boat Lifts
Boat lifts come in a few different styles, and it’s important to choose the correct style for the marina where you keep your boat. The styles primarily depend on water levels, but the weight of your boat and its beam need to be considered, too. Always purchase a lift that can handle more weight than you need it to, especially if you’re thinking about upgrading your boat sometime in the future.
Bottom-Standing Lifts
For fixed docks in shallow water, a bottom-standing or freestanding lift is the best option. These lifts are excellent for any body of water that has softer sediment at the bottom. Bottom-standing lifts can be used in depths between 3’ and 10’.
Suspended Hoist Lifts
For average water levels, a suspended hoist lift is the best choice.
Floating Lifts
If the water at your local marina fluctuates often due to the tides, then you’ll need to get a floating lift that can account for those daily shifts. Floating lifts help to prevent your boat from weighing down and damaging the structure.
If your marina has very deep water, then a floating lift is basically the only option.
Power Source
Boat lifts are either manually powered or electrically powered. Manual-powered boat lifts are the more affordable option. You do need to have some measure of strength to operate their spinner wheels, which is why manual lifts aren’t always the best option. Electric-powered boat lifts are more expensive, but essentially effortless to operate. These lifts do require a power source near the water, which may not exist in your area.
Rules & Permits
You’ll need to make sure that your local dock or marina has no rules against the style of boat lift you want. Your local marina may have restrictions regarding the height at which your boat may be elevated, for example, or they may have restrictions regarding power usage near the water that precludes you from getting an electric boat lift. If you’re boating on private waters governed by a Homeowners’ Association (HOA), then they may have rules regarding the type of lift you’re permitted to use as well.
As you can see, there are many benefits to owning a boat lift and they’re not too challenging to shop for, provided you know what you need. Ready to purchase a lift for your boat? Browse our website to take a look at our full selection of new and used boat lifts for sale at our dealership in Nisswa, MN. Talk to our staff about our financing options if you’d like to use them. Nisswa Marine proudly serves the greater Minneapolis area as well as nearby St. Cloud, MN.