boat lift for 220

[naci220]

Does anyone have experience with a hydro hoist boat lift? I am looking at a 4500#lift referred to as a model 'b' side tie. Seems like it might be pretty close to capacity for '07 220....

[craigb]

You should go with a minimum of 50% above dry weight of the boat. Many things to take in account, full fuel tank, full ballast, people, lead weights, equipment, ect. I know you say that'll you empty the ballast but situations come along like the pump doesn't work, storm moving in fast and you need to get out quick, ect!! I went with a 8000lb lift for my 220.

[naci220]

A service tech with Hydro hoist told me he could add 2 extra tanks underneath to give it a 7500# rating, but it would cost about $1600 to do so. Thats probably what I would have to do. What type lift do you have? I like the Sunstream floatlift, on their website they show a 220 on a 6000# model-but those babies are about twice the price! Thanks for the reply

[borosan]

I have a hyrdohoist 4500 to life my 220. The guy who installs said they are rated at 4500, but are actually ok up to about 5000. I have not ever tried to raise mine with the ballast, but have never had a problem with lifting with just gas gear and even 4 or 5 people. I was told I could add 1 tube for about $800.

[WakeSlayer]

A friend just got one of the Sunstream Sunlift 6000# lifts. What an awesome unit. no kidding it will take his 211 from the water to top in like 7-8 seconds. I found the old canopies to be really ugly, and not very protective in comparison, which was why I did not get one for the Mustang this spring. I went with the Shorestation as that is what my big lift is. Sunstream has a new canopy that is quite a bit better.

[nautquenut]

I agree with the guy with the Sunstream. These new hydraulic lifts are are fantastic. I have a Suntream FloatLift for my Super Air Nautique 220 for the last 3 years and love it.
I heard nothing but horror stories about the Hydrohoist b-models. Difficult contol system (4 or 5 valves, switches, etc), painfully slow (5+ min), it does a wheely when you lift it and when it leaks, it sinks your boat.
The FloatLift cost me about $13K, vs about $10K of the HH, and I have never regretted it. The floatlift is controlled with a remote on your keychain, and works about as fast as your garage door! I also like how I can walk on the floats and access my prop.
This year I am planning on adding the HoverCover, which is a canopy that actually automatically comes down close to the boat when you raise the boat.
The boat looks cool on it too!
Their website is pretty good www.sunstreamcorp.com

[saceone]

wow the Sunstream floatlift is quite impressive.

[crowland]

One of my considerations was the depth of the water that my boat sits in, the hydro hoist tanks take up alot of area below the boat. I only had about 6-7ft to work with and our house is not on a constant level lake. I went with a custom built cradle and regular boat hoist motor. The total cost motor, blocks, cable was around $1,500 which included the custom built cradle. Its not hydraulic but raises and lowers in less than 2 minutes.

[nautquenut]

My Sunstream FloatLift (with my Super Air Nautique 220) works in about 2.5 to 3 ft of water at certain times of the year. I definately prefer having this lift over a cable lift since the lift hidden under the boat, provides me prop access, and works in a few seconds. The FloatLift is defimately was more expensive than cables, but not really that big of a factor considering what I paid for the boat and my house. I smile every time I use it, and I find I tend to use my boat more.

[naci220]

Thanks for the input guys, I think that I will hold out for the Sunstream......just gotta work on the wife a little bit.