Installing or choosing a boat hoist can be pretty intimidating for first timers. But don’t sweat it, we’ve put together this helpful guide to walk you through everything you need to know when making your decision. Plus, when in doubt, call the pros – Midwest Lake Service.
A boat hoist is an invaluable tool to keep your watercraft safe from harm’s way this summer. Imagine leaving your boat out on the dock all season subject to swirling currents, algae, and unpredictable weather. Ouch. Investing in a quality boat hoist and having it professionally installed and maintained can help you rest easy all season long.
At Midwest Lake Service, we love helping lakefront homeowners and businesses choose the perfect hoist solution to keep their valuables protected. We service the Iowa Great Lakes year-round, so let’s talk about how we can help you this spring!
How to Choose a Boat Hoist on the Iowa Great Lakes
1. Know your boat’s dimensions
This is probably the most important factor when choosing a boat hoist. Selecting one that is too small could prove disastrous when you go to lift your boat out of the water. A hoist that’s too big is just plain wasteful.
How heavy is your boat? This includes the dry weight of your boat+ engine+fuel (don’t forget gas weighs 6 lbs/gallon), gear you plan on storing with it, and any water that may collect in the bilge. Be sure to select a hoist that can support your boat’s weight by at least 20% to ensure safe operation and a long service life.
Don’t forget about the dimensions of your boat. The beam (width) and overall length of your watercraft will determine the size of the hoist cradle required to safely lift and store your boat.
We understand every boat is different, which is why Midwest Lake Service offers everything from single jet ski lifts to commercial-grade 15,000 pound steel hoists.
2. Shoreline and water conditions
Your shoreline and water conditions are just as important as the boat you intend to store on your hoist. The lakes in the Iowa Great Lakes area vary in shoreline type from one end of the lake to the next. Let’s make sure your hoist matches up with your unique conditions.
Water depth: How deep is the water around your dock? Some hoists are designed to operate in as little as a few inches of water, while others require several feet of clearance.
Bottom Composition: Soft? Hard? Rocks? Whatever is on the bottom around your boat lift will need to support the weight. Soft bottoms can cause your hoist footpads to sink into the mud if they are not large enough.
Boat Traffic/Wave Action: Are you on a busy section of lake with lots of boat traffic? Or maybe your dock gets blown by big winds and waves. Either situation requires a sturdy boat hoist designed to handle serious weight.
3. Material: Aluminum vs. Steel Boat Hoists
By far the most popular boat hoists for homes and businesses located along the Iowa Great Lakes are made from aluminum. Aluminum is lightweight, resistant to corrosion, and requires very little maintenance.
Steel hoists on the other hand are extremely durable and can lift heavier loads. If you have a particularly large boat, or know you’ll be facing extreme conditions you may want to consider a heavy-duty steel hoist.
Midwest Lake Service offers both ShoreStation aluminum boat hoists as well as DuraLift steel boat hoists for those extreme lifts.
4. Power/Operation
Thankfully, we no longer live in the days where you have to to crank your boat out of the water. Let’s explore your power options:
Manual Winch: Manual winches operate via cable and require manual labor to raise/lower your boat. We only recommend this style of hoist for very small boats/PWC’s.
Electric Motor: These can be either AC (plug into the dock) or DC (battery). Most boat hoists today come standard with an electric motor of some kind.
Solar Panels: If you do not have power available on your dock you can run your electric motor off of solar panels. Solar is a great option as it charges while you are away and requires no upkeep.
5. Professional Installation & Removal
Selecting the right hoist for your boat is only half of the equation. Installing correctly is crucial to avoiding expensive damage to both your boat and dock. That is why we strongly recommend leaving this task to local professionals.
An incorrectly installed boat hoist can lead to disaster. If your hoist is not level it will cause uneven lifting. Uneven lifting stresses the boat hoist cables and can cause serious damage to your boat’s hull.
Midwest Lake Service has five crane barges and three dock barges dedicated to installing/removing your hoist. We take care of the heavy lifting while you relax and kick back knowing your boat is safely stored above the water.
Our crews are equipped to handle any job you throw at us. Big or small, we’ve got you covered. Contact us today.
Boat Hoist FAQs
Q: What size boat hoist do I need?
A: You need to know how much your boat weighs when it’s fully loaded (including fuel, gear, water in bilge, etc.). Be sure to select a hoist that can hold at least 20% more weight than your boat. You will also need to consider the dimensions of your boat.
Q: Should I buy an aluminum boat hoist or steel boat hoist?
A: For most homeowners, we recommend aluminum boat hoists. Aluminum boat lifts are corrosion resistant and don’t require much maintenance. If you have an especially large boat or know you will be operating under extreme conditions, we sell heavy duty steel boat hoists(up to 15,000 lbs.) that can handle just about anything!
Q: Why do I need to get my boat hoist professionally installed?
A: Having your boat hoist professionally installed will save you a tremendous amount of frustration. Midwest Lake Service takes care of the entire process from start to finish while you sit back and relax.
Not only does professional installation prevent you from injuring yourself, but it also ensures your boat hoist will not damage your boat.
Q: Does Midwest Lake Service do seasonal hoist removal?
A: Yes! We use our fleet of crane barges to make hoist installs/removals quick and easy for our customers.