Find the Right Boat Lift for Your Watercraft with These Helpful Tips

If you are looking for a boat lift for your personal watercraft, pontoon, or boat, you will need to make sure you have all the correct information so that the boat lift you choose works perfectly with your boat. In this post, we will discuss what information you need and why these details are important to consider while choosing your boat lift.

Calculating the Boat’s Overall Weight

Overall weight includes items that may add weight to your watercraft, so additional items need to be weighed in order to determine which boat lift you need. You need to take into account the weight of the boat as listed on its spec sheet, of course, but must also add the weight of fuel, water, or equipment you may have on board as well as aftermarket additions.  You can approximate the weight of fuel by multiplying the capacity of your fuel tank by six pounds. You can also calculate the weight of any water on board by multiplying the number of gallons by 8.34 pounds.

Measuring the Widest Portion of Your Watercraft

This may also be referred to as finding the beam and it’s important to know what the widest part of your boat measures before you choose a boat lift. After you have determined this number, you should make sure to allow around a foot of extra space for added security.

Figuring Out Your Lake Bottom and Water Depth

Once you have calculated out the overall weight of your watercraft and measured its widest portion you also need to figure out how deep the water is where you boat lift’s feet will be installed. You should also know how soft the lake bottom is, because if it’s too soft, you may not be able to use a freestanding boat lift and will need to instead choose one that can be mounted to a fixed object instead.

Once you have all of the pertinent information, you can use the design you own boat lift link on our website. Or, if you prefer, you can give us a call or contact us online to see what boat lift may be right for you.