Jump to content
  • GUESTS

    If You  want access  to member only forums on FM, You will need to Sign-in or  Sign-Up now .

    This box will disappear once you are signed in as a member.

  • 0

to buy a lift or not?


Bigbartguy

Question

I've been debating on buying a lift for my side-console steering boat. It sits at the cabin dock during the week when I'm not using it.

I'm not super concerned about the waterline marks from leaving it sitting in the lake, but if I'm up there once every 1 or 2 weeks - do I need to worry about it sinking from heavy rain ? It has a bilge pump but it's not automatic.

thanks for the help!

Link to comment
Share on other sites

9 answers to this question

Recommended Posts

  • 0

I do not leave my boat at the lake because I don't have a lift. I wouldn't worry about it sinking but if a good storm comes in the boat banging against or pulling away from the dock could trash your dock. That would be my concern.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 0

Boy I can't imagine leaving my boat tied to a dock unattended all week. If you had a beach to pull it up on that would be better.

It only took a ten minute high wind storm to rip my buddy's boat from a dock, slam it against the rocks and total it.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 0

ok thanks guys. I've got some neighbors that leave theirs unattended so I thought I might be ok. I think pulling up on shore is best idea until I get a lift.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 0

Pull it up on shore with the bow pointing into the lake. Anchor it off both directions. I've had 2 boats get swamped by storms in my younger years. The 1st one was tied to the dock and filled with waves during a wicked storm and sank up to the gunwale line, the second time I pulled up onto shore in a mad dash during a pretty good sized storm, figured all would be well, being 50% of the boat was up on land. Came out the next morning and the boat had filled half way up from the wave action slamming over the transom. Neither boat had an auto bilge pump or wave wackers, but after that I'd pull the transom up on shore and tie off or anchor the bow off in both directions to keep the bow pointing into the waves and never had another problem. Now I have a boat lift and quit worrying about it! grin.gif You won't regret it when you get it.

Good Luck!

Ken

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 0

I dislike boat lifts, but I broke down and bought one at the urging of my wife. I have to admit it is handy. I had always trailered the boat rather than leaving it at the dock during the week. I rally don't miss waiting in line at the access but what I gained most is time. We can be boating in a matter of minutes. I bought ours from a nieghbor who builds them and sells them direct. I guess it is good to listen to the wife.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 0

bow out and auto bilge pump. If not it will swamp or sink someday!! I've seen it too! I have a lift with a cover. The boat still looks new and it's 17 years old. Good luck! Mike

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 0

I have a place up in the alexandria area..and am looking for a used lift for my boat aluminum 2800/ 96 inch if anybody knows of one please let me know at [email protected] thanks in advance

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 0

When you get your lift if you want instructions to make an inexpensive 12V power conversion let me know. The ones they sell for lifts cost close to $600.00 you can make one for far far less. I recharge the battery once a summer but probibly wouldn't have to.

Bill

[email protected]

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 0

I'd like to hear your power lift idea. I'm thinking of using a 12v winch motor to power mine.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Guest
This topic is now closed to further replies.


  • Your Responses - Share & Have Fun :)

    • mulefarm
      With the early ice out, how is the curlyleaf pondweed doing?
    • LakeofthewoodsMN
      On the south end...   The big basin, otherwise known as Big Traverse Bay, is ice free.  Zippel Bay and Four Mile Bay are ice free as well.  Everything is shaping up nicely for the MN Fishing Opener on May 11th. With the walleye / sauger season currently closed, most anglers are targeting sturgeon and pike.  Some sturgeon anglers are fishing at the mouth of the Rainy River, but most sturgeon are targeted in Four Mile Bay or the Rainy River.  Hence, pike are the targeted species on the south shore and various bays currently.   Pike fishing this time of year is a unique opportunity, as LOW is border water with Canada, the pike season is open year round. The limit is 3 pike per day with one being able to be more than 40 inches. All fish 30 - 40 inches must be released. Back bays hold pike as they go through the various stages of the spawn.  Deadbait under a bobber, spinners, spoons and shallow diving crankbaits are all viable options.   Four Mile Bay, Bostic Bay and Zippel Bay are all small water and boats of various sizes work well. On the Rainy River...  Great news this week as we learned sturgeon will not be placed on the endangered species list by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.     The organization had to make a decision by June 30 and listing sturgeon could have ended sturgeon fishing.  Thankfully, after looking at the many success stories across the nation, including LOW and the Rainy River, sturgeon fishing and successful sturgeon management continues.   A good week sturgeon fishing on the Rainy River.  Speaking to some sturgeon aficionados, fishing will actually get even better as water temps rise.     Four Mile Bay at the mouth of the Rainy River near the Wheeler's Point Boat Ramp is still producing good numbers of fish, as are various holes along the 42 miles of navigable Rainy River from the mouth to Birchdale.   The sturgeon season continues through May 15th and resumes again July 1st.   Oct 1 - April 23, Catch and Release April 24 - May 7, Harvest Season May 8 - May 15, Catch and Release May 16 - June 30, Sturgeon Fishing Closed July 1 - Sep 30, Harvest Season If you fish during the sturgeon harvest season and you want to keep a sturgeon, you must purchase a sturgeon tag for $5 prior to fishing.    One sturgeon per calendar year (45 - 50" inclusive, or over 75"). Most sturgeon anglers are either a glob of crawlers or a combo of crawlers and frozen emerald shiners on a sturgeon rig, which is an 18" leader with a 4/0 circle hook combined with a no roll sinker.  Local bait shops have all of the gear and bait. Up at the NW Angle...  A few spots with rotten ice, but as a rule, most of the Angle is showing off open water.  In these parts, most are looking ahead to the MN Fishing Opener.  Based on late ice fishing success, it should be a good one.  
    • leech~~
      Nice fish. I moved to the Sartell area last summer and just thought it was windy like this everyday up here? 🤭
    • Rick G
      Crazy windy again today.... This is has been the norm this spring. Between the wind and the cold fronts, fishing has been more challenging for me than most years.  Panfish have been moving in and out of the shallows quite a bit. One day they are up in the slop, the next they are out relating to cabbage or the newly sprouting lilly pads.  Today eye guy and I found them in 4-5 ft of water, hanging close to any tree branches that happened to be laying in the water.  Bigger fish were liking a 1/32 head and a Bobby Garland baby shad.   Highlight of the day way this healthy 15incher
    • monstermoose78
    • monstermoose78
      As I typed that here came a hen.  IMG_7032.mov   IMG_7032.mov
    • monstermoose78
      So far this morning nothing but non turkeys. 
    • monstermoose78
      Well yesterday I got a little excited and let a turkey get to close and I hit the blind!!
    • smurfy
      good......you?? living the dream..in my basement playing internet thug right now!!!!!! 🤣 working on getting the boat ready.......bought a new cheatmaster locator for the boat so working on that.   waiting for warmer weather to start my garden!!!
    • monstermoose78
      How is everyone doing? Holy moly it’s chilly this morning I stayed in bed and will hunt later today when it warms up.
×
×
  • Create New...

Important Information

By using this site, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. We have placed cookies on your device to help make this website better. You can adjust your cookie settings, otherwise we'll assume you're okay to continue.