Boat Lifts

[JohnO]

The guy down the dock is selling his boat lift. It's a polylift 4000 or 6000 lb lift. he's asking 2000. I'd have to have it reconfigured for my boat and moved to my slip. I've got the local marina approved lift guys working up a quote for me. (can't make a decision without the facts)

So... Anyone have any experience with Poly Lifts? Are they good? This one is about 10 years old. How do they hold up? Is 2000 a good price? If the move and reconfigure costs 1500 that would be 3500. Is that still a good price?

I figure if I get the lift I can keep the boat on the lake much longer (all winter in fact) and save about 500 a year in storage costs.

[OldePharte]

Polylifts are very good. If the $2,000 includes the blower then yes, it can be a very good deal. Even better if it is a 6,000 lb unit.

Look at the bushings and make sure that they look good, otherwise, change them out when being installed.

The squared off units sell less than the round ones. A 4000 pound round tube version sells new here for $6,800 while a 5,000 pound squared off version sells for $6,000.

[JohnO]

I'll be looking at it again on Friday. What exactly should I be looking for?

[OldePharte]

Look for any corrosion on the metal (nuts and bolts in decent shape), bushing wear (make sure that it is round and not cracked), excess slop in the bolted areas, etc.

[JohnO]

The local boat lift guy says it will cost $500 to move and probably $1000 to reconfigure (total)

That brings me to $3500 for the whole thing. Kind of steep at the moment but it will save me money in the long run ($500 per winter for storage) plus I get a longer boating season.

[STEVEBRENDA]

$500 for a move in the same dock soundxs really high. The lift is generally 4 bolt, blower 2 screws and hoses use hose clamps.
Even the reconfigure sounds real high. A fair price should be about half that amount, $750-800.


Shop installers.

[Jack65K]

+1 on STEVEBRENDA
I also boat on Table Rock Lake and recently had a lift moved and it was $150 and took the guy less than an hour. I can't speak to reconfiguring the lift but that does seem high.
Jack