Tips for Buying Boat Lifts in Florida

You’ve made the move. A stunning, Tampa Bay waterfront home is yours. You’ve got the boat slip, the vessel of your dreams, and a brand new pair of deck shoes!

Like the decision to live in a home with such a view, comes all the accessories needed to maintain your property – the kinds on land AND in the water.

You will already have had the seawall inspections completed for their integrity as well as a thorough examination of your home’s boat dock. The deck adjacent to your home is also one that should be inspected for its soundness and safety.

Then there’s the boat lift. Another structure whose sole purpose is to protect your investment – from corrosion.

Besides the preventative maintenance a boat lift provides, it also offers the benefit of being able to avoid the time-consuming, and typically expensive hauling of your craft in and out of the water to clean and then repaint. With a boat lift, your vessel can rise above, and avoid all those growths that degrade the watercraft’s performance.

We install a variety of lifts from many manufacturers made of multiple materials including:

• Aluminum
• Galvanized
• Davits
• PWC Lifts
• Swinger Style Lifts

Ultimately, boat lifts are key to the upkeep of these expensive water vehicles. Because they can:

• Transfer a vessel from one elevation to another
• Lift a boat out of the water
• Help maintain the hull’s finish
• Keep the boat from knocking against the dock due to the wake created by other boats and the wrath of Mother Nature in general

The type of boat lift that best suits takes consideration of the water, the boat itself, how it is to be used, and your budget.

Some questions to consider when purchasing a boat lift:

• Is it a new lift or a replacement?
• If replacement, what don’t you like about the operation of the existing?
• Is there a particular lift feature in which you are interested?
• Do you plan on making any modifications to your property or dock?
• Where do you envision the lift being installed? Dockside or at the seawall?
• If seawall, has it been maintained well/does it require inspection?
• Do you require or have a permit?
• What model of watercraft is being lifted?
• What is the boat’s length, width, and wet weight?
• What electricity is available to support the lift? Is it 110V or 220V?

In general, before potentially replacing your boat’s lift, consider having us perform an assessment of the problem. You may be surprised by how cost effective a repair can be. A brand new boat lift may not always be the solution.

As always, boating responsibly is key. Safety first. Never raise a boat with a boat lift unless that lift is specifically designed/rated to support a boat of specific dimensions. You could otherwise cause extensive damage to the boat and/or put someone in harm’s way.

If you have any questions or would like a professional evaluation or any suggestions to get the most out of the beautiful Florida sunshine, give us a call at 727-942-3111.

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