What is your setup for hitting the lake?

[RB56]

What im asking is do you launch your boat from your trailer every time? Store it in a garage? Backyard?

Do you have it in a slip? With a lift? Do you leave it there all year?




I dont own a vehicle that will pull one of these boats, but my buddy’s dually is always available to me. Also dont have a garage space big enough to store it. My current boat (tritoon) is in a slip at my local marina.

So my ideal setup would be to have it on a lift in the marina slip so im not launching from trailer every time. I was looking around the slips today and saw 5 wake boats (2 mastercrafts, 2 malibus, and an older moomba LSV). They were all on hydrohoist type lifts. Are those type lifts appropriate and solid? What poundage capacity would you advise?

If i put it on one of these lifts, winterized it, and covered it...would it be fine to leave it there all winter? Slip has a roof. Northwest arkansas, so it gets cold in winter but not ridiculous cold.

Is it doable to winterize it myself on the lift?


?

[larry_arizona]

Trailer to the launch and been to 19 different lakes in 3 seasons.

Garage kept daily.

I like the variety of lakes.

My dealer has two marinas and one of them has a indoor rack storage. When you want your boat. You call or go online and request your boat. They take a hi LO and pull it from rack storage and drop it in the water and have it ready for you in under 30 min.

When done, the put it back indoors on the rack.


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[KnoxMojo]

We have ours on an overhead lift at our dock in the summer and a warehouse in the winter. We have several neighbors who winterize in place on their docks as well. It is very nice to hit a button and get out on the water. I go with friends to other lakes on their rides. Winterize isn't hard, but don't mess it up if doing it yourself, big bucks to fix it...paying the dealer is like cheap insurance.

[haknslash]

This year we opted to put the boat in an enclosed storage unit near several boat ramps on our favorite lake. Last year we kept the boat at my parents house out in the weather with cover the only protection because a Max won't fit in our garage and we have a strict HOA group, so no dice storing the boat at our own house. Having the boat near the lake is great for us as we do't have to trailer it for an hour and half each way. The only draw back is that the boat is sort of "lake locked" to that specific lake unless we take the boat back home to my parents house and then plan to visit another lake the following weekend(s). But that is why we chose the lake we did as it offers the most in terms of areas for water sports, things to see and do around the lake both on water and land and has the most food/lounge amenities compared to the other lakes.

So our setup is basically:

prepare sandwiches and cooler the night before hitting the lake
wake up in the morning and eat a big breakfast
drive 1.5 hours down to the storage unit
prepare boat (remove cover, install drain plug, load coolers and gear)
drive to the launch 5 mins away and skip past everyone who is in the boat prepare zones loading their boats up
launch boat
enjoy epic day

[FamilyMan]

This is my first season with a slip (was waiting for one close to the entrance to pop open). Prior I stored it a couple hundred feet from the launch and used an entirely inappropriate vehicle to launch it half the time :eek:. I now have two appropriate vehicles for towing (go figure) but now use a hydrohoist 6600lb. If you ever plan to go to a Supra (or similar) and above a 23 ft boat, go for the 8800lb. I got lucky and bought 6600lb used for half the price of a new one with the hope that I can add a third tank or have hydrohoist swap out to the larger 8800lb floats down the line. I have three master craft x23s surrounding me, all using the 6600lb hydrohoist with no issues. Seems like half the pontoon folks lift them, the other half let them sit.

I had Dallas Boat and Canvas shop make an over the tower bimini extended top, makes it a breeze to go out as I keep the boards in the bimini and rack. Have added storage sheds, a table, nice lighting, grill, and fridge to the slip over the past two months. I basically try to make my slip feel like a beached pontoon :D

Honestly wish I could have both, especially when fishing out the box anchor and slide spike while the toon next to me just rams the shore haha.

[Morganleemaster]

I have only ever trailered and have never really looked into these other options. I pay $125/month for covered storage. How much are lofts, slips, sleet storage running you?


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[haknslash]

I pay $150 for 14' X 40' enclosed storage unit.

https://i.imgur.com/37Gt0on.jpg

[RB56]

I have only ever trailered and have never really looked into these other options. I pay $125/month for covered storage. How much are lofts, slips, sleet storage running you?


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My slip is just over a couple hundred $ per month. I just leave my tritoon in the water and use a commercial pressure washer at the beginning of the season the clear the scum off the toons. It worked well this year.

The 6600lb hydrohoist lifts are around $7/8 grand at least.

If i end up with a moomba i will def have to bite the bullet on a lift, or else buy a bigger vehicle and trailer it every time i want to go out. Which honestly is not appealing to me. Its super nice to just walk up to the slip and go.

But u are locked in for the year. So ever. If u dont leave ur boat there for the winter, u still have to pay for it. But for me, thats still cheaper than buying a new $50k truck to pull it

[FamilyMan]

Haknslash, that is a killer deal. My dry storage was pretty much the only game in town that wasn't 4-5 miles away and was 220 a month and only 30 ft deep.... could barely squeak the Max in there. Yours on the other hand looks fantastic.

7-8k is a good deal on a hoist around north Texas. I was getting quoted 10-11k by the installers. Slip is also really pricey, just under 6k a year for a 12x34. Extra 3k a year if you rent the hydrohoist from them (only hydrohoists allowed) and is why I bought it as I plan to be here for a couple decades. Safe Harbor Marinas are a racket around here it seems. Seems like you have a good deal and even with a cheap truck would take years to recoup cost of the slip. Crazy how the cheapest part of the boat is my boat payment :rolleyes::(

[DNIXD99]

Dry storage on the Lake with Valet for $250 a month. A facility tractor loads, and launches it for me. Its so convenient. I go surf for just a couple hrs all the time. My dealer will also pick up, and deliver for service, so the only time I have to tow my boat is if I want to take the boat to a different lake, or river.

[Isaguel]

Part of it depends on how many lakes you have available to u within reasonable driving distance. We have 3 lakes within 20 min drive and several beautiful large lakes within an hour- 1 1/2 drive. We like to visit different lakes for the variety of scenery. My favorites are within 1.5 hr drive in northern Mn, Gull and whitefish chains.
So, for us, locking the boat to a lake is not an option. After I upgrade my hitch, my truck should be able to comfortably trailer my boat, that's why I bought it. Don't mind driving. I keep my boat in a 3rd garage stall at home so its nice to get home from work, hook up trailer and drive 5 mins to my nearest lake. On weekends we head up north. So, point is, it all depends. I don't mind trailering but not everyone feels the same.
How many lakes do you have nearby? Never been to Arkansas.

[larry_arizona]

Part of it depends on how many lakes you have available to u within reasonable driving distance. We have 3 lakes within 20 min drive and several beautiful large lakes within an hour- 1 1/2 drive. We like to visit different lakes for the variety of scenery. My favorites are within 1.5 hr drive in northern Mn, Gull and whitefish chains.
So, for us, locking the boat to a lake is not an option. After I upgrade my hitch, my truck should be able to comfortably trailer my boat, that's why I bought it. Don't mind driving. I keep my boat in a 3rd garage stall at home so its nice to get home from work, hook up trailer and drive 5 mins to my nearest lake. On weekends we head up north. So, point is, it all depends. I don't mind trailering but not everyone feels the same.
How many lakes do you have nearby? Never been to Arkansas.

I am identical to this.

My local lake is 15 min, from barn to ramp. Awesome for midweek after work.

We have 15-20 lakes within 30-45 minutes with our favorite at 45 min, 2000+ acres, 3 sandbars, 10 ramps, tons of parking and can always find clean water on the weekends.

We do 2-3 up north trips per season and do all the glacier cut lakes in the lower peninsula of Michigan. 3-4 hour drive.

Michigan has 13k lakes, never at a shortage of options or adventures.

The local dry storage option really does lock you into a lake locally. It’s a large lake, 1200 acres, but gets very crowded on weekends. $2700 per season for indoor rack storage with valet service and it’s $3300 for an uncovered wet slip. I am 30 min from this lake.

It’s tempting, but I prefer my boat at home in my pole barn.


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[RB56]

Part of it depends on how many lakes you have available to u within reasonable driving distance. We have 3 lakes within 20 min drive and several beautiful large lakes within an hour- 1 1/2 drive. We like to visit different lakes for the variety of scenery. My favorites are within 1.5 hr drive in northern Mn, Gull and whitefish chains.
So, for us, locking the boat to a lake is not an option. After I upgrade my hitch, my truck should be able to comfortably trailer my boat, that's why I bought it. Don't mind driving. I keep my boat in a 3rd garage stall at home so its nice to get home from work, hook up trailer and drive 5 mins to my nearest lake. On weekends we head up north. So, point is, it all depends. I don't mind trailering but not everyone feels the same.
How many lakes do you have nearby? Never been to Arkansas.

There are some other really good lakes that are driveable (2-3 hours away) but Beaver Lake is in my backyard and is huge and varied.

I could see going to another lake maybe once per year maximum honestly.

[Isaguel]

There are some other really good lakes that are driveable (2-3 hours away) but Beaver Lake is in my backyard and is huge and varied.

I could see going to another lake maybe once per year maximum honestly.

Hmm, at that rate, then u might as well keep it on a slip on BL.

[scotthons]

This year we opted to put the boat in an enclosed storage unit near several boat ramps on our favorite lake. Last year we kept the boat at my parents house out in the weather with cover the only protection because a Max won't fit in our garage and we have a strict HOA group, so no dice storing the boat at our own house. Having the boat near the lake is great for us as we do't have to trailer it for an hour and half each way. The only draw back is that the boat is sort of "lake locked" to that specific lake unless we take the boat back home to my parents house and then plan to visit another lake the following weekend(s). But that is why we chose the lake we did as it offers the most in terms of areas for water sports, things to see and do around the lake both on water and land and has the most food/lounge amenities compared to the other lakes.

So our setup is basically:

prepare sandwiches and cooler the night before hitting the lake
wake up in the morning and eat a big breakfast
drive 1.5 hours down to the storage unit
prepare boat (remove cover, install drain plug, load coolers and gear)
drive to the launch 5 mins away and skip past everyone who is in the boat prepare zones loading their boats up
launch boat
enjoy epic day


Pretty much the same deal as us. The lake is 2 hours door to storage door. We typically stay at a hotel near the lake Saturday night after getting off the water. Then we are usually the first boat out Sunday morning (except for the fishermen).

[RB56]

Hmm, at that rate, then u might as well keep it on a slip on BL.

Yeah but is it cool to overwinter it in the slip (on a lift, covered and winterized of course)?

[Isaguel]

Your winters should be shorter. Here in Mn were talking 5-6 months of winter storage. Many people use a shrink wrap and store outside. I store mine indoors. Your winters are what, 2-3 months? Your water doesn't freeze I'm guessing. As long as the area is safe from vandalism and you have a whole boat cover to protect gel coat and upholstery from UV rays and discoloration, not sure what the harm would be. Is this in a marina where there are wifi cameras and you can check on boat remotely?
I guess there is no real harm, but I do feel uncomfortable about leaving my boat out in the open, accessible to anyone and not seeing it for 3 months.
I suppose I would prolly store it in a secure, enclosed garage myself.

[FamilyMan]

I’ve been told that as it cools due to air density the Hydrohoists will lose some air and checking on it monthly is a good idea. Also the valve can have slow leaks. I plan on leaving it at the slip and this new cover should help with keeping it out of the nastier elements.
https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20200623/d92a37a8352ceab5551a8e9d673743f8.jpg


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[DNIXD99]

https://i.imgur.com/cmfjsUs.jpg

[RB56]

I’ve been told that as it cools due to air density the Hydrohoists will lose some air and checking on it monthly is a good idea. Also the valve can have slow leaks. I plan on leaving it at the slip and this new cover should help with keeping it out of the nastier elements.
https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20200623/d92a37a8352ceab5551a8e9d673743f8.jpg


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What Lb rating is your hydrohoist and what did it run you? Did your marina already have it and u rent it or did u have to buy and install it?

[FamilyMan]

It’s a 6600lb that I bought from someone at the same marina. Cost was $5600 and it was 2 years old. $500 to install which was a smoking deal IMO.

More than 80% of the hydrohoists are rented at the marina and the marina wants renters as they charge 3k for a 6600. They make things a bit difficult to procure your own since they want renters, but overall wasn’t horrible to line up.

Wish it were the 8800lb. Going to fill my center tank (1100lbs) and a small portion of the rear and see if she will lift. Bet it will do 7300.... hoping it will work for the the next bigger boat.


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[RB56]

It’s a 6600lb that I bought from someone at the same marina. Cost was $5600 and it was 2 years old. $500 to install which was a smoking deal IMO.

More than 80% of the hydrohoists are rented at the marina and the marina wants renters as they charge 3k for a 6600. They make things a bit difficult to procure your own since they want renters, but overall wasn’t horrible to line up.

Wish it were the 8800lb. Going to fill my center tank (1100lbs) and a small portion of the rear and see if she will lift. Bet it will do 7300.... hoping it will work for the the next bigger boat.


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Yeah that is a good deal. I will probably try to go that route.

Who did the install for you?

[Rush]

Our setup up in Canada