Floe VSD Lift?

[Beachrat]

Does anyone here own or know someone who owns a Floe VSD (Vertical Screw Drive) lift? I currently have a shoremaster 4000# lift but need to upgrade to a 5000# due to a new boat. I'm trying to decide between a shoremaster lift with a 12 volt direct drive system or the floe VSD 5000 24 volt, most boat owners around my lake use shoremaster but I don't know of anyone using floe as they are new dealers to the area. The VSD system is impressive but it the lift itself doesn't seem to be built as sturdy as shoremaster and the bunks adjustment is very limited, anyone used these?

[harddock]

I have owned a Nyman water Lift, a Shoremaster 4000 vertical and now a Floe Vertical. The quality of the Floe is every bit as stout as the Shoremaster. The hardware is either aluminum or Stainless. The lift (24vVSD)is quick, quiet and with the optional solar panel I get the summer out of my original charge. The Screw jack leveling system is another excellent feature. I don't know how much bunk adjustment your looking for but mine handles a Ski Nautique with no problem. Floe Canopy is far superior to Shoremaster. If I was to need another lift I would buy a Floe in a heartbeat for the above reasons. I put mine in and take mine out of the water by myself annually.

BTW I owned the Nyman in the 80's, (sold it when I became a dealer for Harbormaster and Shoremaster lifts.) the Shoremaster in the 90's ( sold it when I started playing with boats over 26') and the Floe I bought last year when I upgraded to a newer Nautique.

[Beachrat]

Thanks Harddock, I was concerned about the strength as there are no structural support welds, the whole frame is bolted together. With the shoremaster I set up my bunks the same as on my trailer but this con't be done with the flow as they will only run perfectly parallel and you can't adjust the bunk angle either. Wasn't sure if this was a big deal, pulling the trigger on a lift by Sunday.

[harddock]

I run mine wider at the transom than I do at the bow by several inches as for pivot angle it too wasn't an issue. I too tried to mimic how the trailer bunks are. The railes do bow a little and support the boat evenly.

[Beachrat]

That's good to hear, I was told by the dealer that the bunks could not be adjusted closer together in the front to match my trailer, he also suggested keeping the bunks wider that the trailer bunks??? I noticed you had the full carpeted guides, are you happy with them or should I get the Vertical guides? I am only thinking of buying these guides to help keep the boat centered in the lift during choppy conditions so I don't have to keep raising and lowering to get it in the right position.

[harddock]

I bought my lift used and it came with them. There ok but I would have bought the vertical ones.