Posted on July 31, 2025

Do I Need a Floating Boat Lift? Are Boat Lifts Worth It? We Got The Answers | HydroHoist

Do I Need a Floating Boat Lift? Are Boat Lifts Worth It? We Got The Answers | HydroHoist

Written by HydroHoist Marketing

Are Floating Boat Lifts Even Worth It

  • Protect Your Investment: A boat lift is the best defense against hull damage, blistering, and corrosion, preserving your boat's value and longevity.
  • More Time on the Water: Enjoy effortless launching and docking, which means less hassle and more time enjoying your boat.
  • Lower Maintenance Costs: By keeping your boat out of the water, you'll save significantly on cleaning, painting, and repairs.

Peace of Mind: A secure boat lift provides protection from storm damage, fluctuating water levels, and unauthorized use.

HydroHoist Boat Lifts ULtraLift Tow Boat

The Hidden Costs of Not Using a Boat Lift

When researching whether you really need a boat lift, you’ll come across boaters who claim they manage just fine keeping their vessels in the water all summer and hauling them out for dry storage in the off-season. However, you will also come across those who say investing in a boat lift is one of the best decisions they’ve ever made. While different boaters will have varying personal preferences, the benefits of keeping your boat as dry as possible when not in use are undeniable. 

 

Leaving a boat in the water for extended periods invites issues like hull blistering, premature corrosion, marine growth, and wear from rough water conditions. The repairs required to address these problems aren’t cheap. Routine bottom cleanings and anti-fouling treatments can cost hundreds of dollars per year. (Boating World, n.d.). Meanwhile, fiberglass hull repairs range from $500 for minor gel coating services to $5,000 for major structural work (The Pricer, 2024). 

 

By lifting the watercraft out of the water, a hoist minimizes unnecessary exposure to the elements. This keeps the boat cleaner, which effectively reduces the required maintenance efforts. According to one boater who survives without a lift, they need to jump in the water every couple of weeks to scrub the hull down and remove most of the grime they can reach (MasterCraft, 2019). As you can imagine, that takes a lot of time and effort – precious time you could otherwise spend enjoying your boat. 

Key Benefits of Investing in a Floating Boat Lift

Let’s face it – if budget weren’t a factor, every boat would be on a lift. There’s simply no other in-water dry-docking solution that provides the same level of protection, convenience, and peace of mind. 

 

Here’s what you get in return for your investment:

 

  • Preserved Condition and Resale Value: A boat lift makes it easier to inspect and clean critical components, such as the hull and propeller, minus the hassles of trailering or the cost of haul-out services. This easy access encourages consistent maintenance, ultimately prolonging the vessel’s lifespan while saving you valuable time and money on repairs. Should you decide to sell, boats that have been lift-kept often command higher prices thanks to minimal hull wear and corrosion.
  • Unmatched Convenience: A boat lift adds a level of convenience that transforms your entire boating experience. Instead of dealing with the stress of trailering and waiting at public ramps, a premium lift lets you launch in minutes – no struggling with trailer alignment or wrestling with unpredictable tides. With a push of a button, your boat is in the water and ready to go. And, when you’re done for the day, you can dry-dock your boat just as easily.
  • Enhanced Safety and Security: With your boat securely lifted above the water, you don’t have to worry about unexpected storms or strong wakes knocking it against the dock or nearby vessels. Storing your boat on a lift also reduces the risk of unauthorized access, making your vessel less vulnerable to theft or vandalism. Whether you’re gone for the weekend or an entire season, you can rest easy knowing your boat is safe, secure, and ready for your next adventure.

 

Ultimately, investing in a quality lift helps you get the most out of boat ownership. To further help you weigh your options, check out our guide discussing How Does A Floating Boat Lift Work.

A Boat Lift for Every Boat and Every Body of Water

At HydroHoist, we understand the unique docking challenges different boaters face. That’s why we designed a range of premium boat lifts that can support various boat types in diverse marine environments. Available in capacities ranging from 5,000 to 32,000 lbs, our UltraLift boat lift series features customizable bunks, hull supports, and tank configurations, enabling them to support everything from ski boats and cruisers to pontoons and wake boats in shallow, deep, or fluctuating waters. 

 

Meanwhile, the HarborHoist, our next-generation drive-on floating boat lift, can support boats from 4,400 to 12,000 lbs and operate in waters as shallow as four feet. With its free-floating design, the HarborHoist can be tied to any dock or piling in fresh, brackish, and saltwater environments, making it one of the most versatile in-water, dry-docking solutions on the market.  

The HydroHoist Difference: A Side-by-Side Comparison

Since redefining the standard for in-water vessel storage in 1964 and establishing itself as North America’s leading manufacturer of boat lifts for sale, HydroHoist has continued to raise the bar for what boat lifts can be, combining convenience, protection, and ease of ownership with every offering. 

 

Here’s how HydroHoist’s floating boat lifts stack up against other common storage methods: 

 

 

HydroHoist Floating Lifts

Trailering

Dry Stack Storage

Slip Storage (In-Water)

Convenience

In-water storage, push-button launching and docking

Requires towing, launching, and retrieval every trip

Limited access; may require scheduling ahead

Always in the water, but no protection

Protection

Keeps boat dry, elevated, and secure from waves and debris

Minimizes prolonged water exposure

Secure storage

Constant exposure to water, wakes, and marine organisms

Long-Term Cost

One-time investment with minimal ongoing costs

Trailer maintenance, fuel, ramp fees

High monthly fees

Increased hull maintenance and repair costs

Time Savings

Launch and dry-dock in minutes

Time-consuming prep and travel before every outing

Need to coordinate access and wait for service

Frequent cleanings and maintenance downtime

 

Is a HydroHoist Floating Boat Lift Right for You?

Enter your zip code in our dealer locator tool for a list of authorized HydroHoist boat lift distributors in your area. These local experts can help assess your waterfront conditions and available dock space to determine if a floating boat lift is the optimal solution for your unique needs. 

FAQs

  • How much does a floating boat lift cost?

HydroHoist floating boat lifts typically range from $4,000 to $12,000+, depending on the lift model, lifting capacity, bunk and tank configuration, and installation requirements. 

  • Will a floating boat lift work with my existing dock?

Yes. HydroHoist floating boat lifts are compatible with most dock types. We offer a range of mounting and anchoring options, allowing owners to install our lift systems in slips of all shapes and sizes. 

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