Posted on November 30, 2023
Benefits Boat Lifts for Very Shallow Water: Protecting Your Boat in Low Water Levels
Written by HydroHoist Marketing
Discover how boat lifts for very shallow water protect your boat in low water levels. Explore the benefits of these boat hoists and ensure optimal boat safety.
Shallow water presents unique challenges to docking a boat. Whether it’s constantly fluctuating tides, a gradual grade that takes a while to get deeper, or a waterfront that’s simply prone to low water levels — the threat of shallow water levels is a problem for many boaters.
Fortunately, quality boat lifts for shallow water are designed for water levels between 24 inches and four feet. Below, we discuss the benefits of these innovative docking products and how they provide the perfect solution for the unique challenges of shallow water levels.
Convenience
Whether setting out to sea in a few minutes or more easily performing routine maintenance, a boat lift lets you spend more time enjoying your vessel than preparing it for the water.
- Quick Access: By securely keeping your watercraft by the dock, you no longer need to trailer your boat to and from the water or wade into the water only to get onto your boat wet and dirty. Boat lifts also allow for quicker, more stable boarding. And with no complicated dock lines or mooring systems, your vessel is always ready to launch.
- Ease of Maintenance: Regular maintenance is as much part of boat ownership as being out on the water. Boat lifts make routine maintenance tasks, such as cleaning, inspecting, and performing minor repairs significantly more convenient. There’s no need to get in the water or haul the vessel to a dry dock.
- Versatility: Floating boat lifts like the HydroHoist Ultra Lift isn’t exclusive to shallow water use. In fact, it might be a better option if you own a boat with a taller wake tower. Its lower profile tank design can keep your vessel from hitting your dock’s canopy. They’re also more suitable for areas with regulations about blocking the view.
- Peace of Mind: A boat lift for shallow water keeps your boat lifted even when water levels go under three feet. This means you don’t have to worry about your vessel getting splashed around and smashing into the dock (or ground) when conditions get rough.
Protection
Apart from your home, purchasing a boat is one of the most significant investments you’ll make. A shallow water boat lift helps to make it last for generations to come. Convenience is great, but protecting your investment is even better.
- Preserves Hull Integrity: Storing a boat in water for extended periods is one of the primary causes of damage below the water line, often leading to other performance and maintenance issues. This can be even more pronounced in shallow water with debris, such as logs and rocks, threatening to damage props and shafts.
- Prevents Corrosion: A boat lift for very shallow water reduces prolonged exposure to corrosive elements, extending the lifespan of critical parts like propellers, outdrives, and other metal components.
- Protects from the Elements: Tides, inclement weather, currents, boat traffic, and other dramatic fluctuations can cause significant damage to boats moored in shallow water. By keeping your boat elevated, regardless of water level, boat lifts ensure your watercraft is always protected from any type of contact caused by the elements.
- Avoids Marine Growth: Keeping a boat in shallow water can lead to the growth of algae and other marine organisms on the hull. By keeping the vessel elevated, low water boat lifts reduce the likelihood of marine growth, minimizing the need for regular scrubbing and related maintenance work.
Cost Savings
Unnecessary maintenance and repairs and accelerated damage due to wear and tear or corrosion add up. So, while the best boat lift for shallow water requires additional costs, it will eventually save you money over the long haul.
Aside from reducing maintenance and repair costs, boat lifts can also:
- Enhance resale value: To seasoned boaters, the difference between a wet-stored vessel and a lifted one can be striking, with experts estimating up to 20% increase in resale value for dry-stored boats. In addition, a shallow water boat lift can also serve as a dock expansion that can boost your waterfront property’s curb appeal.
- Improves fuel efficiency: A boat with a pristing bottom and well-maintained parts can sustain peak performance, effectively improving its range and fuel efficiency.
FAQs:
Are there specific installation requirements for boat lifts in very shallow water?
Most dealers conduct a site assessment to determine the optimal boat lift solution. This includes factoring in the following:
- Boat specifications (hull configuration, length, weight, beam, etc.)
- Boat slip, dock, or seawall to which the lift will be installed
However, to maintain structural and product integrity and safety, most companies, including HydroHoist, require that only authorized technicians perform the installation. Get in touch with us, and we’ll find the right shallow water boat lift solution for you.
How do shallow water boat lifts compare to other types of boat lifts?
While there are several types of boat lifts on the market (cantilever, vertical, shore-mounted, etc.), none of them are quite as versatile as the Ultra Lift shallow water boat lift. Not only is it designed for water levels as low as 24 inches, but it can also perform as reliably for deep docking. Moreover, due to its low-profile design, the Ultra Lift offers superior stability when facing strong winds and currents.
With as many options as there are on the market, it helps to have an expert helping you out. An authorized HydroHoist dealer can help you make the best choices for your waterfront.
Are there weight and size restrictions for boat lifts in very shallow water?
Yes. Each type and model will have specific restrictions. For instance, our shallow water lifts range from a weight capacity of 5,000 to 9,000 lbs. Meanwhile, the boat lifts can support vessels up to 28 feet in overall length.
We offer a range of shallow water boat lift solutions. Contact us, and we’ll find the best protection for your investment.
How do shallow water boat lifts protect boats in low water levels?
Our Ultra Lift shallow water boat lift series uses durable, puncture-resistant polyethylene lift tanks to support its galvanized steel frame. These air-filled tanks keep vessels and all major steel components above the water, regardless of depth.
These boat lifts are ideal for floating docks with U-shaped slips, docks with lower roof clearance, and drive-in installation.
If you’re looking for a shallow water boat lift for sale, contact one of our local dealers. We’ll help you find the perfect solution for your boat.