Posted on November 23, 2023
Finding the Perfect Shallow Water Boat Lift for Sale: A Comprehensive Buyer’s Guide
Written by HydroHoist Marketing
Discover the ultimate buyer’s guide to find the perfect shallow water boat lift for sale. Explore tips and factors to consider, so you can make an informed purchase decision.
Do you remember when you were on your buyer journey towards getting a boat? Those were busy, albeit exciting, times when you scoured through articles, YouTube videos, reviews, and threads trying to match what you intended to do on the water with aesthetics, features, and price.
The right boat lift for your specific application protects your watercraft and dock. While getting a quality system might mean higher upfront costs, you can’t put a price tag on the convenience and peace of mind it can give you.
Primary Considerations for Choosing a Shallow Water Boat Lift
Carefully assess these fundamental factors to make an informed decision on the perfect boat lift setup for your waterfront.
Location
Shallow water presents unique challenges to docking a boat compared to main channels or coves. You might be on a lake with a gradual grade, taking a few meters before it gets deep enough to launch. It could be constantly fluctuating tides or a waterfront with regularly low water levels. Factor in all these environmental characteristics before prospecting a boat lift.
In most cases, the best boat lift for shallow water will be a floating solution like the UltraLift. It can be used for water levels less than four feet and features the lowest pneumatic lifting system on the market. It’s also an excellent option for boats with taller wake towers, as its lower profile tank design keeps vessels from hitting lower dock canopies.
Overall Weight
This is much more complicated than looking at your boat’s weight on the spec sheet. You must also take the following into account:
- Finding your boat’s dry weight is easy enough. However, this usually doesn’t account for the weight of outboard motors and other external parts. Manufacturers tend to be very subjective when disclosing dry weight, so be mindful of that.
- You must also factor in all the gear you have on board, such as accessories (towers, additional seating), equipment (AC units, generators), gear, batteries, water tanks, coolers, and anything else you’ll likely have on the boat whenever you dock.
- Of course, there’s also fuel weight and tank capacity. Generally, fuel weighs around six pounds per gallon.
As a rule of thumb, we recommend adding another 20% to your final estimate. This ensures that your boat lift can comfortably support everything you might have on board. If you need help determining your vessel’s overall loaded weight, our sales team can help you choose the best boat lift for your shallow-water needs.
Build Quality
The boat lift’s structural integrity is critical to protecting your watercraft from shallow water hazards. This includes the following elements:
- Framework
- Welds
- Lift system
- Bunks
- Floatation tanks
Apart from structural rigidity, you need a shallow water boat lift capable of handling the stresses from fluctuating water and weather conditions. Our UltraLift series features polyethylene tanks that are highly resistant to impact and low water damage. When under extreme stress, they flex and return undamaged to their original shape.
The lifts also come with a heavy-duty hull support system and an innovative design that keeps all steel parts above the waterline, preventing rust, corrosion, and anything else the elements can throw at them.
With models able to hoist boats ranging from 5,000 to 9,000 lbs., our sales team can recommend a setup that reliably protects your vessel from shallow water challenges.
Lift Operation
Apart from protection, convenience is one of the primary reasons for getting a boat lift. While manual lifts are more affordable, they’re also often more cumbersome to operate. In contrast, the UltraLift 2 boasts the fastest operating cycle in the industry, ensuring your boat is lifted or launched right when you need it to be.
How it works:
- Lifting your boat: Position it over the lift, attach the guide ropes, and rotate the valve or push the raise button on the control unit.
- Launching your boat: Rotate the valve or push the lower button on the control unit, detach the guide ropes, and enjoy your day out on the water.
Simple. Easy. Convenient. Just the way you want it.
FAQs:
Are there specific weight and size restrictions for shallow water boat lifts?
Our UltraLift models for shallow water can lift boats with an overall weight of up to 9,000 lbs. and a maximum slip width of 14 feet. These boat lifts can operate at a minimum water depth of 22 inches.
Can a shallow water boat lift be customized to accommodate different types of watercraft?
Find the best boat lift for shallow water to fit nearly every make and model with HydroHoist. Our sales team can help find the perfect system for your vessel by providing the following information:
- Body of water you will store your boat in
- Boat year/brand/model
- Boat type (V-Hull, Pontoon, Sailboat, etc.)
- Boat length, width, and weight
- Engine style
- Dock style
Meanwhile, our accessories catalog provides even more options for customizing your dock so you can enjoy the boating lifestyle you deserve. Contact your HydroHoist local dealer to learn more.
What maintenance and upkeep are required for a shallow water boat lift?
Below are some essential boat lift maintenance tips that can help make it last for over 25 years:
- Watch the weight limit: Remember the overall weight capacity you accounted for. Always disembark passengers before lifting the boat and remove all unnecessary gear.
- Lubricate: Inspect your boat lift regularly. If you see anything that needs lubrication, get to it immediately. If your lift has chains or cables, always keep these lubricated to avoid fraying.
- Stay on top of water damage: Keep your lift out of the water when not in use. Rinse it with fresh water after each use, especially if it’s in salt water. Top drain holes on your gearbox, motor, and cover should be closed, while those on the bottom should remain open to ensure any water that gets in can get out. Finally, keep an eye out for worsening rust or corrosion on your lift system.
- Store it during the off-season: If your waterfront deals with winter weather, store your boat lift with the cradle or platform up. Meanwhile, power hoist batteries should be removed and stored indoors.
Your HydroHoist dealer will be more than happy to help you with any maintenance concerns. Get in touch with them to ensure your boat lift lasts as long as you want it to.