Boat lifts?

[aaronmt]

We are looking at buying a Nautique 211 or 226 shortly.My wife doesn't want to buy a new boat without being ale to have it on a lift.Would a 4000lb lift be enough for either these boats?Any thoughts and opinnions of different ones.We ideally like to find a used lift.Thanks Aaron

[nukemustang]

The argument here is always go bigger than you think you need.

The smaller of the two boats: The dry weight of a 211 is 3350lbs, when you add: boards, life jackets, stereo, gas, ballast, coolers, anchor, fire extinguisher, bilge water, and what ever else you can shove in the boat you can quickly add "undocumented" weight and come close to the rated capacity of the lift. I don't know if the dry weight includes the tower too honestly....

For the larger boat example the 226, it's listed at 3860lbs, so it would not take much to exceed the 4000lb capacity.

Buying a slightly bigger lift would allow the lift to not work at or near capacity and allow for buying a larger boat and not having to buy another lift down the line.

[swatguy]

I second nuke, but will add this.

Can you get away with a 4K lift now for either of those boats? Sure. 4K lifts are bit easier to find used because of this exact scenario. People buy the lower lift based on cost savings on the front end then realize later when they want to upgrade their boat they now need a bigger lift. If you find a great deal on a used 4k lift go for it. However if you can't find good deal on used lift and are considering buying new, the right move is opting for the 5k out of the gate. Gives you some buffer room if you ever want to upgrade. Even a new 210 is over 4 k dry weight.

[markj]

See if it's possible to add an additional pontoon to the lift when/if you get a heavier boat. That's what they've done in the past at the marina where I keep mine.

[JoeA]

We are looking at buying a Nautique 211 or 226 shortly.My wife doesn't want to buy a new boat without being ale to have it on a lift.Would a 4000lb lift be enough for either these boats?Any thoughts and opinnions of different ones.We ideally like to find a used lift.Thanks Aaron

Are you looking for a floating lift or one that suspends the boat from cables? Either way I would suggest getting one rated for a bit more than you think you'll need. A higher rating means safety and heavy duty hardware so it will last much longer. Kind of like driving your vehicle at 2,000 RPM vs just below redline all the time. These boats keep getting heavier so factor that in to your decision too.

[kneebrdr]

I installed a 6500 lift for my sister's 220. Works great no problems. Check out Ultimate Boatlifts.

http://www.ultimateboatlifts.com/pro...BoatLifts.html

[enzo thecat]

Floe! They are the best. Also, PLEASE at least consider going with a bigger lift than your currant boat demands. I wish someone would have told me that 3 years ago. Instead, I just threw $4000 away because I ordered a new boat. Dang, dang, dang.

[JoeA]

10K rating and you'll never need more.

[Ch308]

I would highly recommend at least a 5000 lb lift for either boat. I just upgraded to a 220 and had to sell my 4k lift. If you live in Washington I would use Boat Lifts International. They sell RGC lifts and have excellent customer service. I purchased a 6k RGC lift and I love it!

http://www.boatliftsintl.com/

[scottb7]

I am one vote against, floe. They are all not very straight when i look around the lake I am on. Not glamorous. But I recommend shoremaster. I have the 50120 cantilever. And love it. One simple cable, bullet proof. Always square...http://shoremaster.com/products/cantilever-lifts/

[Quinner]

Crooked Floe = lazy installer, they have one of the best leveling systems out there, takes almost zero effort to level, just a few minutes and your cordless drill.

For non-floating style lifts Shorestation makes a very good lift, most bang for the buck IMO. Floe makes a very nice lift but they are expensive. Not a huge shoremaster fan, feet are too small if you need to slide them around, the vertical style carriage has a tendancy to get bound up if not perfectly level, my cantilever one feels flimsy, works ok but not great.

[scottb7]

Quinner, you have a shoremaster cantilever? Kind of curious what model? The 50120 is very far from flimsy. Also as far as floe goes, i agree - kind of - on the leveling, but the canopy's are pretty bad the ones i have seen.

[Quinner]

My shoremaster is the small craft type, keep my john boat on it, so likely not as stout as a 5k version would be. My other shoremaster experience is with the vertical lifts and was never a big fan for reasons mentioned above. Also have Shorestation for PWC & Boats and they are very nice units, easy to move (big feet with turned up edges), basic to maintain and the canopy's are decent and easy to install/remove. Neighbor just bought a new Floe, has the plastic tires and the retractable feet, pretty slick setup, not sure about the canopy, looks like it would be a PITA to install/remove but it has nice side curtains so provides good sun coverage.