Boat on a lift

[jward]

For those of you that have your boats sitting on lifts. I Have a couple questions. I put my boat in a friends dock on a lift last week. I am extremely anal about my boat so it is kinda freaking me out not having it in the garage but it sure is nice having it sitting there waiting on me.

My question is, is there anything I should be aware of or thinking about while the boat is out there by herself? It does have a cover over it and the dock is also covered. This may be a dumb thread but it just freaks me out for now.

[WakeSlayer]

A little separation anxiety?

I leave both of ours on lifts on our home lake. Our road goes between my farm and my lakeshore (saves me a fortune in taxes). I used to be a little paranoid, but what can I do? Insurance will cover anything that gets damaged or stolen. As long as the lift is stout enough to hold your boat and is in good repair I don't think you have anything to worry about. Weather, is occasionally an issue, but again, what can you do?

[NautiDave07]

Get side skirts for the cover to keep the sun off the gelcoat and let her be. Enjoy!

[Quinner]

I Keep my plug in. Depending on where you are at you may want to lock the wheel (if so equipped) otherwise it should be fine.

Mike, thought Minn had that figured out, that is if both sides are under the same name? Around here that street adds about 10k+ to the tax bill.

[slob02]

Make sure it is high enough out of the water that a large rain wouldn't bring the water high enough to float it off the lift........or if you leave the plug out, the water wouldn't get high enough to fill the bilge with water. Not a bad idea to tie it to the dock even if it is on the lift. If a cable would break it would keep it from floating away.

[AirTool]

Make sure no birds lodge above the boat and make frequent deposits. The PO of my boat had QUITE the MESS on the cover. Good thing he covered it.

[Chris4x4Gill2]

I have the same scenario as you. Covered, under a roof. Im useing a floating lift. Just cover it good, tie off the cover so a hard wind wont rip it off. I lock the controller and lock a cable through the bow eye for security. Always leave the plug in when its stored over water.

[jward]

Thanks guys. It is on a floating lift so no worries there. Were would I look to get side skirts. I did think about the sun damage on the uncovered areas. I guess just waxing the regular would help there right? Its storming pretty good tonight so its times like these when I get really freaked out. I guess I'll get use to it.

[shag]

Sun exposure can be very relentless over time. You should not have any issues. If it were a public lake, I would not leave anything of value in the boat. Possibly even a prop lock. If it is covered well, and under a boathouse - it is almost like a garage.... And very convenient.

[WakeSlayer]

Mike, thought Minn had that figured out, that is if both sides are under the same name? Around here that street adds about 10k+ to the tax bill.

Nope. I have neighbors with under 5 acres, 100 ft lakeshore, same size home, $6-8k. Mine are $2500. 40 acres, 800 ft lakeshore. Dozen buildings.

[Schwiiing]

what about when boat is wet inside

Ok, your boat is now at the lake, on a lift, under a covered dock.........but, after a hard weekend of riding, your boat interior is more than a little damp inside. What now. Leaving the girl all alone at the lake is scary enough but covering her up tight with all that moisture inside.....now thats scary! So what do you all do with the wet vests, seats, and carpet? Anyone have a humidistat controlled dehumidifier they put onboard just before the cover goes on? Sure wouldnt want the chore of taking everything home with me and wont give up the a day on the water just so the boat doesnt get wet.

[Chexi]

You could use a couple small buckets of damp rid or similar dessicant-type moisture remover under the cover. If your boat is really really wet, it won't be enough, but if it is just a little wet, they will do the trick. In general, I try to give wet people towels when they are on the swim platform so they can dry off before they get in the boat (unless its 100+ degrees and sunny, in which case I don't care). Also, not taking a ton of water over the bow helps, and not having inexperience people manually fill ballast bags helps.

[ers906]

I have used it occasionally (although in Phoenix at 100 degrees plus, the boat is typically dried out by the time I get the trailer out of the water) but kitty litter may be a cheaper alternative to DryRid etc