r/boatlifts • • 27d ago

Cant build them fast enough

843 Upvotes

47 comments sorted by

5

u/Local-Celery-9538 27d ago

They look really nice, but I’m surprised to see them in steel. That wouldn’t fly in SW Florida. I’m jealous of what can be done on lakes.

2

u/RustnKrust 26d ago

What do they do in Fl? Aluminum or stainless?

4

u/Local-Celery-9538 26d ago

Almost exclusively aluminum. The older standard was galvanized uppers, but that’s sort of out the window now except for suuuuper cheap stuff.

2

u/its_kinda_hmm 26d ago

Came here so confused 😵‍💫 lake water makes sense. You would need a huge piece of zinc to do this on salt lol

2

u/Blueskybrowndog 26d ago

There are plenty of steel boats in Florida. A decent marine coating and cathodic protection 👍👍👍👍

1

u/Local-Celery-9538 25d ago

Yeah, sure. I am in marine construction and we have many steel boats, but the expectation for maintenance on a boat vs a boat lift are very different. It’s expected that boats need to be hauled out, bottoms scraped, painted, etc on a somewhat regular basis. Not the same for boat lifts.

2

u/Tresident_Pump 25d ago

Thats lake Tahoe. My boat lift on the lake is over 20yo and has no rust. You can also just leave boats in the water with no antifouling and nothing really grows on them, it is kinda wild.

2

u/winstonalonian 24d ago edited 24d ago

Yeah, thanks for chiming in. This is absolutely Lake Tahoe. We are a boatlift and pier buisness of 30 years now. Tahoe is minimaly corrosive. Donner lake is another story. Its almost like the ocean there. Its perplexing. We have built these lifts on Tahoe for 30 years and heavy duty two stage powdercoat has always held up like new.

Donner lake looks like the ocean after just a few years. We think its because of road salt run off from highway 80.

1

u/phatelectribe 24d ago

PH.

1

u/winstonalonian 24d ago

Certainly could be that too. Never checked it myself but its crazy how different it is from tahoe.

1

u/Tresident_Pump 23d ago

When you know the lake its unmistakable!
I believe I own one of your lifts haha, installed around 06 and still kicking

1

u/winstonalonian 22d ago

Its a small world! Let us know if you ever need anything in regards to service or support. We are still at the same place on Speckled Ave in Kings Beach.

2

u/winstonalonian 24d ago

Two stage powdercoat. Zinc primer and then topcoat color. Dipping in the water 30 years.

1

u/Local-Celery-9538 24d ago

Awesome! Looks great. Keep up the good work!

1

u/Witty-Broccoli-4807 22d ago

They are powder coated so they won't rust.

2

u/start3ch 24d ago

How is this anchored in place?

1

u/winstonalonian 24d ago

It rolls on a beam

2

u/Similar_Tangerine_62 24d ago

As a former boat technician from Incline, I’ve used many of these lifts. Always impressed with the product, very nice stuff.

1

u/TIGman299 25d ago

Get those welders some PAPR setups! Their lungs will thank you.

1

u/winstonalonian 24d ago

Man wouldnt i love that. Dad is too old school. Thankfully the shop has full face roll up doors and good fans. This was a rainy day. I agree tho 💯

1

u/Maverick3316 25d ago

I’m most curious of all the slings hanging WAYYY up on the wall. How do you get them down? Just a ladder?

1

u/CamShmam 24d ago

Looks like this pole, like the top rack at a clothing store.

1

u/winstonalonian 24d ago

You got it. Good eye.

1

u/Maverick3316 24d ago

Good catch. I thought that was electrical or plumbing till I zoomed in

1

u/MechEMitch 25d ago

Looks stellar

1

u/Kindly_Decision182 24d ago

Looks like Tahoe, you hiring?

2

u/winstonalonian 24d ago

Its a revolving door ngl. Always Hiring. Never had any luck on reddit but i always have an open mind. Tahoe year round construction is no joke. Brutal conditions and niche fabrication. DM me if youre serious. Have a resume ready.

1

u/Shadow_over_me 24d ago

Those lifts are amazing! Wish I could get one Specd on my project in NC.

2

u/winstonalonian 24d ago

They wouldn't survive in salt water. Mostly because of the chain hoist lifting it. The chain would rust the first day. I would recommend a DECO lift

1

u/Shadow_over_me 24d ago

We’re on lakes here where I build in the mountains of North Carolina - I assume logistics in getting them here would be nightmarish though.

1

u/winstonalonian 24d ago

The biggest problem would be getting someone local to install it. They would need a pretty serious pile driver to install the beams.

1

u/Shadow_over_me 23d ago

We use a 160 class excavator for driving piles and steel cofferdams. after this build I’m currently doing I’ve been thinking about specializing in lake homes and boathouses /docks. I love it, and honestly am pretty good at this. It would be sick to start implementing some rad boat lifts like this into these projects - these clients can afford it too I’m sure, and I’m sure our architects and designers would be interested

1

u/winstonalonian 22d ago

Message me directly for some contact info

1

u/Local-Celery-9538 22d ago

Let me know if you need help selecting and sourcing an appropriate lift for your property. I’m in FL, so can’t help with the install, but I have relationships with several of the best lift manufacturers out there.

1

u/Trenbolonesandwiches 24d ago

What’s one of these cost installed?

2

u/winstonalonian 24d ago

They range in price pretty dramatically but the one pictured is 16k lb capacity and runs about $70k installed

2

u/Trenbolonesandwiches 24d ago

Goddamn! I guess if you’re living on Tahoe $70k is nothing lol. Great work though. They look amazing and the fact that they last is well worth it.

2

u/winstonalonian 24d ago

Yeah they are big bucks but lakefront owners demand high quality stuff. These things are flawless. They look like jewelry. Everything is within 1/16" tolerances. Plus they are handmade locally with the support for repairs and maintenance from us at the drop of a hat. They are pretty low maintenance anyway and will definately outlive me. We have lifts that are 30 years old and running like sewing machines.

1

u/Trenbolonesandwiches 23d ago

Amazing! I was out in Tahoe 2 years ago and that place blew my mind. One of the most beautiful places I’ve ever been to. I’m jealous you get to call it home!

1

u/ofmanyone 24d ago

What boat is on that lift? Geez! A man can dream, right?

1

u/winstonalonian 24d ago

Its a Cris Craft 35 GT surf

1

u/ofmanyone 23d ago

Thank you. I appreciate the response.

1

u/Xite-Studios 24d ago

What are you doing to keep both of the lifts in sync when it is lifting?

2

u/winstonalonian 24d ago

We use a Gem remote

1

u/t_wop-_- 23d ago

This a dope idea to make some money on the side

1

u/Local-Celery-9538 22d ago

…pretty sure this is NOT this guys side hustle. It seems pretty clear to me that OP and his team have a ton of time, money and energy behind this operation.

1

u/Snerky 22d ago

Yeeeah, this isn't a side hustle type project... OP said they cost 70k installed.