20 replies to this topic

[secord]

Just a general question to the group. Do you keep your boat on a lift? If so, what kind do you use? If not, do you keep your boat in the water do you launch it each time you use it.

We have a Cabin in northern Michigan where we ride on weekends. Since we only spend the weekends there, on Friday, we launch the boats and jet skis, and on Sunday nite before returning to the Detroit area, we pull them out. During the weekend, we keep them tied to the seawall or to the dock, but in the water.

This was cool with the PWC's, but last year with the addition of the Speedster, it became a pain and a hassle. Now we have to make two trips to the boat launch, switch trailers on the truck, make two trips to the gas station, (Petro for our Canadian friends) etc.

This year, I would like to launch the boats in the spring, and remove them in the fall, or remove them when we go on vacations, trips etc.

My problems...
1. What to keep the boats on, because of the Zebra Mussels, slime, algae, etc.

Conventional Lift? Jet Dock? In the Water with Mooring whips?

2. Filling the boats with gas. It was cool to carry (2) 5 gallon cans down 47 stairs to the dock when we only owned the PWC's, but now with the boat and the skis, it turns back into a hassle.

My solution to this, (without my wife's approval and her thinking that I have totally lost it,) is to get a 200 gallon tank, and pipe it down the hill, underground, to a hose and a nozzle at the dock. I don't think it is legal, but hey, I think it may work and solve a problem. If the gas guy can deliver once a month, and if I lock it, and if....

Any thoughts? Am I as nuts as my wife thinks I am?

[tiggerman]

No lift, we basically live on the river, or close enough to it to trailer the boat every time we use it.
I don't think your nuts at all. Sounds like something I would do if I had to. Could you actually put the tank closer and not have to pipe anything? Let the gas man run his hose down the hill. Probably be cheaper on you. I don't know what would be involved in doing such a project.

[Kevin Leclair]

No lifts for me or anything. I take mine out and put it back on the trailer everytime that I am done with it for the weekend.

[secord]

I thought about that, but I think with all the legal problems, I don't want the tank to be visible from the water.

Not sure I can get the gas-man to deliver, without some type of commercial permit or license, but perhaps my partner "Ben Franklin" can talk to him...

I just know that gas on the lake was $2.25 per gallon last year, and with the price of gas as it is now, I don't know where they will be at.

[secord]

I see on Jetboat.net that a member was asking about Jet Docks. Another member then stated that he had one, and left his phone number. I called him up, and spent about 20 minutes on the phone with him, as I believe that is the direction that I would like to go. He was very helpful with great information and tips. i think it is great to be able to call a perfect stranger up, and take 20 minutes of his time, and in the end, he thanks you for calling.

[tiggerman]

Old Ben is a distant relative to me... I tell you what: we need more perfect strangers like that guy you called up . The world would be a much better place....

[Kevin Leclair]

Maybe try this site, it is the JetDock site:
JetDock

[Doooer]

I have heard that some of bomber's boats have suffered from osmosis when left moored in the water for long periods. Apparently a possible problem with the gel coat. How big is your lake? I live on a relatively large lake (about the size of Lake St. Clair) and most people on the lake have either lifts or boathouses with marine railways. Some have marine railways without a boathouse...it just comes up onto their property. You should check out the prices of these in your area...you might even find someone selling a used one. You should be able to buy new, installed, including electric winch and cable, carriage and 50 feet of rail for under $2,000.

I have a boathouse with marine railway and the Doo spends the whole winter in it. My trailer is someplace amongst the mess in my garage...I'm not exactly sure where!

[secord]

Thanks for the suggestion. Not sure if that would work or not, as we are on a major hill overlooking the water. In addition, it is quite deep 10 feet out, so the angle of the rail system would be quite steep. I made a home-made system for the PWC's last year, and it looks kind of funny, as it goes at about a 60 degree angle up.

I am currently talking to Jet Dock about dealer pricing, as that is the way I would like to go. After research and talking to current and past owners, it seems like the perfect fit. In addition, with the lifetime warranty, I will just leave it in, during the winter. No hassles taking it out and putting it back in every year.

[secord]

Jet Docks being delivered on Friday afternoon. I will let you know how it goes. I have ordered them for both the Speedster, and the two PWC's. Should eliminate much of the hassles associated with boating.

Less hassles = More time on the water.

[smorgan]

Jet Docks being delivered on Friday afternoon. I will let you know how it goes. I have ordered them for both the Speedster, and the two PWC's. Should eliminate much of the hassles associated with boating.

Less hassles = More time on the water.

Pics!! need pics

[secord]

Jet Docks being delivered on Friday afternoon.  I will let you know how it goes.  I have ordered them for both the Speedster, and the two PWC's.  Should eliminate much of the hassles associated with boating. 

Less hassles = More time on the water.

Pics!! need pics

Will get pics for you this weekend.

[secord]

Here is a photo of the '99 on the Jet Dock.

Attached Files

•  boat4.jpg   38.73KB   20 downloads

[secord]

Here is a photo of the two PWC's on a jet dock on the opposite side of our suspension dock.

Attached Files

•  jet_skis4.jpg   46.76KB   11 downloads

[Kevin Leclair]

Whoa!!! I am jealous, that looks like the ticket. Have any pics closer up of the Speedster on the dock?

[secord]

Sorry, I will get some more next time I am there, with the cover off the boat.

[tiggerman]

Gah..... only 2 pics.... Nice setup there d00d...

[Kevin Leclair]

Sorry, I will get some more next time I am there, with the cover off the boat.

Sweet, cool deal!!!

[pokefan]

Sorry, I will get some more next time I am there, with the cover off the boat.

Sweet, cool deal!!!

Nice! I need one for my Speedster. Tell me more.

[secord]

Well, to tell the whole story would take up about a page of typing. You can PM me with your questions. They shipped to me from the factory. I signed up as a dealer, as we are a distributor of other products. They shipped almost completely assembled. The Jet Ski dock was in halves and had to have the two put together. The boat dock was in 4 large pieces and was assembled on site. They are expensive to purchase, and the shipping was a bit more than I would have liked to pay, but I boated from Thursday through Monday, and everything about them was a pleasure. In addition, they come with a life-time warranty, and I will not remove them in the winter like a conventional dock or lift. If I could have afforded it, I would have purchased extra lanes on both side of the boat to walk around. That would have helped with the boat cover as well as loading/unloading and refueling.