You’ve decided to go beyond traditional staycations and backyard barbecues and buy a boat. This lifestyle upgrade offers great family fun, but it requires some maintenance to keep your investment looking and performing at its best. A boat that’s docked on a sea coast or lake front throughout the year is harder to clean, and its hull is susceptible to early deterioration by exposure to salt and freshwater. Installing the right boat lift allows you to extend your boat’s life and increase its value to you, your family, and its future owners. Boat lifts come in different styles and configurations, and choosing one can be a daunting task for new boat owners. Here are five factors to consider when selecting a boat lift for your waterfront property.
#1 Vessel Size and Type
Your water craft’s weight and dimensions directly impact the type of boat lift that you’ll need. Your boat’s weight includes the vessel itself and any additional equipment and accessories that you plan to take on the boat. The widest part of your boat is its beam. Your new boat lift must be able to accommodate the total weight of your boat and cradle its beam securely.
#2 Home Port
Location matters when it comes to choosing the right boat lift. Most quality boat lifts come with stainless steel or galvanized metal mechanisms. A boat lift that’s installed at a salt water home port benefits from stainless steel gears and pulley systems. However, stainless steel mechanisms are luxuries for boat lifts that are installed near freshwater lakes and rivers.
One of the best perks of owning a boat is having immediate access to your community’s waterways. Choosing a boat lift without considering changing tides and seasonal surges at your home port could limit its availability for use. If the water under your boat lift isn’t deep enough, lowering your boat for launch could result in its getting stuck in the mud. If water levels rise too high during seasonal surges, your boat will be sitting in water, which defeats the purpose of having a boat lift.
#3 Chosen Installer
Even the best lifts can malfunction and experience premature wear when they aren’t installed by knowledgeable technicians. Incorrect installations can also impact your boat lift’s warranty. Boat lift manufacturers often give customers a list of technicians who are qualified to install their particular boat lifts. If you decide to pick an installer who isn’t on the list or to install your own boat lift, select a boat lift from a manufacturer that includes detailed, clear instructions with the sale.
#4 Customized Bunk Options
Boat lifts have bunks that fit around boat hulls. Getting one with custom bunks allows you to secure boats of any kind, including sailboats, multi-hull vessels, multiple boats with different sizes, and so much more.
#5 Boat Slip and Dock Regulations in Your Area
While boating enthusiasts all agree that a day on the water is the best way to idle away your free time, they tend to differ on the rules that govern the use of boat lifts in various districts. Some local regulations limit how far your lift can extend over rivers, canals, and lakes to keep the waterways navigable for all boaters. Marinas and condo communities may have rules that limit the size and configuration of your boat lift to avoid obstructing waterfront views. Boat lift makers such as IMM Quality Boat Lifts offer custom manufacturing services that deliver high-quality boat lifts that fit within your community’s guidelines.
Conclusion
Boats offer unmatched freedom to waterfront property owners. Whether you’ve got a party-ready pontoon boat on a lake or a cabin cruiser that you love to take down the Intercoastal Waterway, there’s a boat lift that meets your needs and lifestyle. For further information about boat lift models and features, contact the experts at IMM Quality Boat Lifts. We carry a distinct selection of boat lifts that are meticulously constructed from premium materials. Our low-maintenance boat lifts are designed to improve your boating experience without the hassles and safety risks of building a DIY boat lift.
