The Ups And Downs Of Boat Lifts

[NuB2TR]

Being new to this forum and new to the TR area, I have been lurking around here for over a year, enjoying the exchange of ideas and the sharing of knowledge that all of you so openly give. I'm often amazed at the amount of information made available to and for the lesser skilled angler such as myself. On behalf of other members of the back-lash-every-cast club, of which I'm a member in good standing, I wish to thank all you contribitutors for sharing the wealth and making me want to be a better fisherman.

I've noticed several members proudly displaying some of their finest catches in their avatar. If nobody minds, I thought I would do the same.

I have seen various topics ranging from batteries to trailer tires, so I hope this isn't too far out of line...

I have a slip in Shell Knob and am looking for opinions on lift dealers. I have been researching the various lift types and have received information and quotes from several area dealer/manufacturers. Believeing they all make a product that would provide many years of service, I'm thinking the biggest differenct may be in the service after the sale.

So.... I'm interested in hearing what others have to say about their experiences and recommendations, both good and not as good.

Again, I wish to thank all the forum contributors for making this site a daily ritual for me. Some day I hope to know enough to give something back.... just as soon as I figure out which end of a drop-shot goes in the lake first.... isn't that the name of an adult beverage?

[gitnby]

Call Tom Blake at Blake's Econolift.

888-779-5721 or 417-464-2111

Tom has done 3 lifts for me ( bass boat, jetskis and pontoon.)

Service is great, prices are fair and Tom's a first-class guy!

Does what he says he will do, and shows up when he says he will!

He won't sell you what you don't need and he sometimes has some great deals on used lifts.

[2 in a boat]

I know this is an old thread but I wanted to chime in on it. I took getnby's advise and called Tom along with 3 others. 2 never got back to me, and the other was about 2800 bucks higher than Tom. So he got the work. And what a nice job he did. He moved one lift from one slip to another and installed a new 6500 lbs. lift in the original slip. What an outstanding job he did. He even replaced the nylon bumpers that were missing. Went by and looked at it BEFORE he just shot a quote, was there when he said he would be and it was about 45 degrees and raining. It's nice to deal with someone that treats you right. I would recommend Tom to anyone. I wont even get quotes if the need arises again, I'll just call Tom.

[Champ188]

Very nice of you to go to the effort to do this. I'm sure Tom appreciates it.

[gitnby]

another happy customer!

I'm gonna quit endorsing Tom, cause he'll be like that restaurant that Yogi Berra describes:

"Nobody goes there anymore cause it's always crowded"

[NuB2TR]

I ended up going with Maricorp in Shell Knob, just down the road from my home. They were much less than other quotes I received and their product (Air Port) was as good, and in many ways, better than others. Four years later, I'm still pleased with the product. Not living here full-time at the time, I wanted to support the local business. I can't say anything good about their after-the-sale service, so won't say anything at all. Just wish I would have taken gitnby's advise and at least given Blake's an oppertunity to give me a quote.

Service after the sale goes a long ways and it sounds like Blake's is doing something right. It amazes me how so many small businesses don't seem to understand that.

[Mart]

Glad everyone agrees on Blake's Econo Lift. Tom Blake provides excellent service and I am very happy with my lift. He left a turkey fryer one time to change my lift motor that burned out.

[Ultralance12]

I was a boat lift mechanical engineer for hydrohoist. At the time I was one of the most knowledgable people in the world about boat lifts (most of those companies dont "engineer" them). The best device I can give you is "it depends". If your dock has every other "finger" as a metal rail instead of a wooden platform you want a more flimsy cheaper lift. The same goes if your dock gets beat up by waves real bad. I have one slip in shell knob right on the end of needles eye that is a good example of this. It has metal fingers and gets the crap beaten out of it, especially during 4th of july. If your dock meets either of these two requirements i would go with a cheaper boat floater or econo-lift. These two have been around for a long time compared to many of the other companies who throw these things together in their shop in the backyard. These lifts will break. You will need to change out fasteners every few years to tighten it up but no lift can survive long in heavy waves and a more rigid lift can damage a flimsy dock.

If however your dock is in a relativley calm place and is built like a tank (rigid wooden plank fingers, nice platic enclosed styrofoam floats, etc) your best long term bet is a Hydrohoist. An Ultralift in these conditions will last 30 years with virtually no maintenence. You will recoup the extraup front costs because it will last forever.

Sorry it was so long. Im in shell knob so if you give me name and location of your dock i can check it out and tell you for sure which direction is better for you. From a dock and long term financial stanpoint. This goes for anyone on here that needs boatlift advice.

[Ultralance12]

I just saw that the decision was already made but my comment stands for anyone else thinking o getting a lift.