Boat lift help again

So I think I found a lift, but have some more questions. The lift I found is a 5500lb vertical manual one, for 1400. It is an older one but seems to be in nice shape. My question is, I have a 2000 Malibu VLX, should I be worried about how it will sit on the lift? Also is it a waste to have such a high capacity, since my boat weighs in around 3000+? I know the new lifts have adjustable bunks, but the one that I am looking at has fixed bunks. See attached pic. Also any recommendations that I shoudl watch out for or even check out? The cables and ends have been replaced last spring. This will be my first lift so just wanted some advice from others that may have had one. Also I believe it is a Shorestation, but there are no markings on it. Thanks again for any help and advice.

3000 lbs + gas + lead + toys + beer +...
I don't think 5000lbs is a waste. You won't have to empty the ballast tanks.

I've always read that the bunks should be in a similar position as your trailer bunks. It looks like you'd be able to adjust where the top I beams are bolted on to the lower main I beams. Plus you could build some curve into the bunks so there is more contact with the hull of your boat. Looks like someone has modified it with some wood spacers already, possibly to lift the boat so the fins would clear the main I beams. That wood can very easily rot if it's not pressure treated.... and even then.

I don't think the weight capacity is a problem. Look at the bright side, you can probably put your VLX on the lift fully weighted.

You should definitely check out the condition of the cable. Even if they were just replaced, I'd want to make sure they look that new, no fraying, etc.

Also, you can put power to that style of lift. It's basically an electric motor with a rubber wheel on the spindle.... the wheel rests up against the big metal wheel. The motor spins the big wheel. They can be run AC or DC with a solar charger.

The extra capacity is not a waste. The hardware and supports will be more solid which will equate to longer life. Also you can keep your balast filled overnight if you want. If it has bunks for inboard you should be good. Adjustable would be better to tweak how it lays to disperse the weight better, but I wouldn't sweat it unless you are keeping tons of weight in the boat while on the lift.

my only questions are

1. how much does that thing weigh? Look at those I-beams!

2. how are you going to move it?


That thing looks solid!

Thanks guys, I am a little nervous on the weight. I think it is around 900lbs. I figured I could dismantel it and move it to my place. Then reassemble. I figured I could add wheels to it so I can move it out for the winter using the truck. I'd like to have a new one but for the price, I think that is a good price. $1400? Thoughts?

It's a Shore Station brand. Mine is 20 years old and I've only had to replace the lifting cable. We put mine in last weekend with only three guys, but I have a very sandy beach.

That being said, I would pass. If it was on your lake and you just had to move it to your site would be one thing. But taking the thing apart would suck. After 20 years of cranking this thing up, I'm sick of it! Get a hydraulic with a canopy!

Dude, you do NOT want a hand crank! I hated hand cranking my 2000lb bass boat let alone my ski boat. For $850 you can get a worm drive. They work great, and they are hooked up to a remote key chain. You can be on the back porch and crank your boat down!

for 850.00 i would try cranking for a while.

Trust me, it's worth it. When your tired from riding all day the last thing you want to do is freakin' hand crank your boat when your arms are like jello. Just my thought.

Too funny about cranking. I did see I can get that shorelander thing on EBAY. But I am lucky if I can get out twice a week. So I don't think the cranking it up and down will be that big of a deal. The hydraulic would be great, but I don't have that kind of $$. The toughest thing will be getting it too my house, but I don't mind a little manual labor and can problaby get a couple friends to help. Or at least drink beers while I reasseble. Thanks again for the advice I appreciate it.

At 900 lbs does that make it steel vs. alumninum? I would not pay $1400 for steel with homemade bunks.

I just bought a 3600 lb Vibo aluminum lift with full length aluminum bunks wrapped in soft vinyl and with canopy frame (no vinyl canopy top though) for $2000. Total weight is under 400 with the canopy.

My dad used to have an old steel Shorestation, and it took 4-5 guys to wheel it out up a small embankment, and probably 6 guys to lift it onto a snowmobile trailer to sell it after one year when he decided it wasn't worth the trouble.

At my place, 2 guys can easily wheel my lift from it's spot in the water to the shore, then we use an ATV winch to bring it up a rock embankment.

I don't know about by you, but it only cost me about $250 to have a lift taken from off of a lake by barge, off of that lake, 45 miles to my lake and then placed exactly where I wanted and adjusted at my dock by barge.

You don't need to spend $850 for a worm drive, you can get one of the electric AC or DC motors that you just engage a wheel/rubber wheel, on the outside of the crank and up/down it goes. I think those are a few hundred as well.

I doubt those are the original bunks, those look like Ibeams on wood, you should be able to move those however you need!

So now my questions. I just went and checked out that Shorestation boat lift. Looks great and is a heavy duty setup. It is all aluminum planks and has the pressure treated wood. New cables(2) last year, might need one old one replaced. I also checked out a Alumidock lift - cantilever setup, 4500lb setup, thing is like brand new with a new cable on winch. Price is pretty much 1200 for either one. Does anyone have any info on the Alumidock one? Website is really basic. Both are crankup ones too. Any advice or info or even opinions would be greatly appreciated. Thanks again