Wisconsin summer’s on the lake… you gather family and friends to enjoy the water. Everybody is excited to head out on the boat for an afternoon of fun and festivities when you find your boat lift not working; you are stuck at shore. What a frustration! Well, this memory does not have to be repeated thanks to our shore lift options, maintenance packages and service technicians at Summerset Marine Construction.

With summer just around the corner, whether you are a new lake homeowner or upgrading your current lift you need to consider options when selecting a new boatlift. Be sure to purchase your lift from someone who will service your lifts as well. Summerset Marine Construction can help you with both. There are other things you need to take into consideration as well. Your lift should accommodate your waterfront and boat needs, so your pier is a key factor in choosing a lift. Lifts fall into four categories: four- or eight-post, overhead, floating (great wherever there’s a rapid bottom drop-off) and free-standing (great in severe winter areas). You also need to consider:

Manual or Electric?
Some lifts are manually operated with a spinner wheel. Some have electric winches, which are more convenient but require a safe power source as well as more care and maintenance.

Check the Specs
Your boat’s length, beam and weight are the determining factors in specifying a lift. Better to over specify than to cut it too close.

Do Your Homework
Many boat lift manufacturers work with the local dealers who do the installation. You’ll have to turn to the local guy if service is needed. This is why selecting a boatlift solution from Summerset Marine is the right choice, they can install and maintain your lift for many years to come.

Warranty
Better lifts come with a minimum one-year warranty on the motor and a lifetime guarantee on the lift assembly.

Stainless vs. Galvanized
Salt water is harsher on the pulleys, cables and framework, in Wisconsin homeowners do not need to worry about that. There’s no doubt that stainless-steel fittings are best suited for lifts. But for freshwater use, stainless could be considered a luxury. Let your home water guide you.

Cradle — Custom or Adjustable?
Boatlifts are constructed similarly to trailers: They use bunks that “cradle” the hull. Insist upon adjustable bunks so that you have the flexibility to get a new ride later on.

Sling Style
If you’re on a very shallow shoreline, consider a sling-style lift rather than one with a cradle design. Flexible slings lie flat on the bottom and will let you dock as long as you can float.

Check the Pulleys
To reduce friction and wear, specify ball-bearing pulleys. Each time you use the lift, the weight of your boat is stressing all the moving parts of the assembly, causing friction. The easier the pulleys turn, the less friction.

Maintenance Tips
Protect the cables with an occasional spritz of spray lubricant, which will help reduce friction and the adverse effects of weather, especially in saltwater areas.
Think of the lift the same as if it were a trailer. After each use, wash it down with fresh water to remove salt, slime and dirt.

Installation & Maintenance
When selecting your new boatlift, consider the installation. When you select a boatlift from Summerset Marine, you will have an experienced team ready to install your new or used lift. We offer a yearly preventative maintenance package to all of our seasonal customers! As well, we deploy service technicians to your lakefront if ever issues do arise with your lift. Our service van is fully stocked with parts and ready to fix your lift at a moment’s notice. Give us a call for a new or used lift and we can get your current lift operational for the upcoming boating season!