Tips and tricks for installation of boat lifts and dock systems

Freestanding Canopy Kits

LakeShore Having a canopy frame and cover on your lift can be a very nice feature. This keeps your watercraft dry and makes the overall boating experience that much better. Yet, if you are in a situation where you either do not have a lift, cannot have a lift, or you cannot attach a canopy to your lift, as with cantilever style pontoon lifts, you may think that you are out of luck. However, you do have options and we are [...]

By |2018-11-26T20:22:34+00:00September 10th, 2013|Canopies and Covers, Installs & Removals|Comments Off on Freestanding Canopy Kits

E-Z Lace Supreme for After Market Canopies

The 2013 boating season brings with it some changes that are bound to make your life on the water a bit easier.  In this article we will focus on one specific change in the way some aftermarket canopies are attached to your boat lift canopy frame.  For a while now these canopies have used rubber grommets and o-rings, sewn into the canopy itself, to provide anchorage for the springs, bungees, or strapping that ultimately holds the material to the frame.  However, [...]

By |2018-11-28T14:20:24+00:00March 21st, 2013|Boat Lifts, Canopies and Covers, Installs & Removals, Maintenance, New Products, News|Comments Off on E-Z Lace Supreme for After Market Canopies

Above the Water: Lake Dock Options

If you are in the market for a dock system for your waterfront you will quickly discover that there are quite a few designs out there. Wading through the different dock systems and variations can be daunting and you will need to determine your specific needs before deciding. We will cover these options in two articles that will outline the available choices and the basic considerations you will need to address when making your decision. In this article we will outline [...]

By |2018-11-28T14:23:51+00:00March 19th, 2013|Docks, Environment, Installs & Removals|Comments Off on Above the Water: Lake Dock Options

Hot Times on the Great Lakes

After last summer’s blistering temperatures and the relative lack of winter snows the last few years, it’s very hard not to notice that some changes are underway. If you spend any time on or around the Lakes of Michigan or the Great Lakes in general you have no doubt noticed that things are not as they used to be. The water levels are down all over and property owners as well as whole communities are being affected. The cause of the [...]

By |2018-11-28T14:26:35+00:00March 19th, 2013|Boat Lifts, Docks, Environment, Installs & Removals, Maintenance, News|Comments Off on Hot Times on the Great Lakes

Docks High and Dry on Michigan Lakes

Great Lakes Basin If you spend any time at all on the Great Lakes you may have noticed one of the most obvious indicators of change. Many of the waterfront docks that populate the Great Lakes basin are high and dry or at least showing more “leg” these days. The main causes of these changes are clear and widely acknowledged as record temperatures and lack of seasonal precipitation have led to record low water levels all over the Great Lakes Basin. [...]

By |2018-11-28T14:30:52+00:00March 8th, 2013|Boat Lifts, Docks, Environment, Installs & Removals, Maintenance, New Products, News|Comments Off on Docks High and Dry on Michigan Lakes

Boating Season Hits a New Low

Running aground is no fun, just ask the captain of the Exxon Valdez.  Over the last few years there have been some significant changes to the environment of Michigan’s lakes that directly impact those of us who own one of the 800,000+ boats registered in the state of Michigan.  Michigan ranks third in the nation for boating population and recent developments in weather, both natural and political, have placed this crucial economic past time directly at the center of action. With [...]

By |2018-12-17T18:23:55+00:00March 7th, 2013|Boat Lifts, Docks, Environment, Installs & Removals, Laws, Safety and Regulations, Maintenance, News|Comments Off on Boating Season Hits a New Low

Boat Lift Solar Charging Kits

When planning a solar charging set up for your boat lift there are a few things that you should know.  These details may save you time and money, getting you the charging system you need and avoiding any potential damage to your battery or good time. In this article we will discuss the proper voltage and wattage for the solar panel you need, the different ways in which you can set up your battery array, and some conversions that can be [...]

By |2018-11-28T14:34:05+00:00March 6th, 2013|Boat Lift Motors, Boat Lifts, New Products, Solar|Comments Off on Boat Lift Solar Charging Kits

Replacing Your Shore Station Lift Cables

So you’ve noticed some fraying in your lift cables or even worse one has broken and you are now faced with an urgent need to replace or change out your lift cables; what are your options? Basically, there are two ways in which the task before you can be met.  The two approaches come down to time and money.  You can purchase a winch tube rebuild kit and replace the innards of the winch tube of your lift or you can [...]

By |2018-11-28T14:55:27+00:00February 8th, 2013|Boat Lift Motors, Boat Lifts, Installs & Removals, Lift Repair, Maintenance, New Products, News, Solar|Comments Off on Replacing Your Shore Station Lift Cables

Galvanized or Stainless – Boat Lift Cables

The cables on your boat lift are perhaps the most important part of the whole unit, they tie the cradle assembly to the winch, allowing your watercraft to be raised and will be made of either stainless or galvanized steel. Both of these types of steel offer the benefit of corrosion resistance and strength, yet there are some differences that should be considered when you are making this decision. When choosing a new boat lift cable or, if you are replacing [...]

By |2018-11-28T14:56:45+00:00February 6th, 2013|Boat Lift Motors, Boat Lifts, Installs & Removals, Lift Repair, Maintenance, New Products, News|Comments Off on Galvanized or Stainless – Boat Lift Cables

Boat Lift Installation and Removal Helpers

There are now a good number of options on the market to assist with the installation and removal of a freestanding boat lift. By far, the most familiar and popular are wheel kits, so we have provided some information below about kits that we have used.  All of these kits have proven effective in getting boat lifts into and out of the water regardless of the state of the lake bottom. Smarte Jack™ Retractable Wheel Kit The Smarte Jack™ boat lift [...]

By |2018-11-28T14:58:24+00:00February 4th, 2013|Boat Lifts, Environment, Installs & Removals, Maintenance, New Products, News|Comments Off on Boat Lift Installation and Removal Helpers
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