Jet ski lift permit/rules/tips ?

[Closetzguy]

Very new to boating/lake front life. Could someone direct me to the rules around placing a jet ski lift on the shoreline? This would be one of those crank up units that sits on 4 posts secured to the lake bottom somehow. It would be removed in the off season by grunting it up onto land.

We have about 90' of frontage and the dock is full so I can't secure a unit to the dock.

Any other tips would be helpful.

Thank you!

[Gatto Nero]

You should find everything you need here.

http://des.nh.gov/organization/divisions/water/wetlands/docks/index.htm

Bottom line is that you need a permit and it needs to occupy the space of one of the slips that you are legally allowed. I believe with just 90' of waterfront you are limited to two slips. That said, I very rarely see jetski lifts directly next to docks occupying a slip spot.

[Closetzguy]

To clarify.....we have a 50' dock that holds 4 boats. The dock is shared by 4 homes that own the waterfront lot.....so there is ample room on the shoreline. It is not taken up by a "slip" configeration.

[MeredithMan]

As GattoNero indicated, it definitely needs a permit. When our (not)permanent dock,:laugh:, was destroyed by ice a few years back, we replaced it with a crank-up. Watermark handled the permitting and installation. We have 100' frontage and Watermark stated that would allow a 6 X 40 dock, 1 seasonal boatlift, and 1 seasonal jetski lift, (amount of frontage dictates what you can have). I have no intention of ever using a boatlift or owning a jetski, but the thought was better to go to the well once and get everything approved that could be allowed, even if we never use it.

Since there are 4 homeowners who own the waterfront, my guess is that all 4 of you, (or your association, if you have one), will need to be on the application, but definitely check with the state on that one.

Good luck.

[SAMIAM]

Why bother with a lift? We beach ours with no problems.We tether them so that they stay put and just push off into slightly deeper water before we start them up.....also shut them down 15' or 20' from the shore when we return so that we don't suck sand into the intakes.
Also bottom wash them when we put them up for the winter.
No waiting to crank them up and down on a lift....just jump on,push off and ride.

[ishoot308]

Definitely agree with Sam!

Unless you have an electric lift they are a royal pain in the a**! Taking them in and out every spring and fall, adjusting for water depths, cranking them up and down, etc, etc. I had two beautiful jet ski's that I sold because they became such a pain to dock and deal with every year. I have no beach at my camp and being on the very windy side of Welch, I couldn't just leave them at my breakwater. They had to be up and out of the water so I had two crank up lifts. Sold them both with the jet skis...Best thing I ever did! It just wasn't worth the aggravation. I don't miss them one bit!

Good Luck!

Dan

[SAMIAM]

11364
Easy to use...no ift

[Closetzguy]

Thanks folks.....we just don't have the beach area to "beach" them. It's a rather steep drop off from land so the waters edge is right up against the embankment.

[chipj29]

And if you live in a windy area with lots of wave action, beaching them is not a great option. The hull takes a wicked beating. Tying them up to a dock is not a good alternative due to the size of the jet ski.
An alternative would be the drive-on docking. http://www.jetdock.com/pwc-lifts/

[Merrymeeting]

And if you live in a windy area with lots of wave action, beaching them is not a great option. The hull takes a wicked beating. Tying them up to a dock is not a good alternative due to the size of the jet ski.
An alternative would be the drive-on docking. http://www.jetdock.com/pwc-lifts/

My understanding is that these do not work well in a windy/rough area either. The wave action is too much for them too.

[feb]

I have nothing but good things to say about these.

I don't even have to get involved, my kids can tie down/untie on there own and off they go.

http://www.overtons.com/modperl/product/details.cgi?pdesc=Dockmate-Mooring-Arm-For-Watercraft-Up-2-000-lbs&i=78495

[Winnisquamer]

I underestimated the mooring whip styles before I got them.. Now I'm 3 seasons in with a 6k lb boat and no issues at all.. If possible they'd get my vote if you don't want to go the lift route. I wouldn't beach my jetskis unless it's I'm running up to the house for something and going back out.

[Sue Doe-Nym]

I have nothing but good things to say about these.

I don't even have to get involved, my kids can tie down/untie on there own and off they go.

http://www.overtons.com/modperl/product/details.cgi?pdesc=Dockmate-Mooring-Arm-For-Watercraft-Up-2-000-lbs&i=78495

Looks like a good tie-up method. One word of caution:

Do not but them from Overton unless you want an incredible hassle.

[feb]

I've purchased a lot from Overtons, including these mooring arms, and have never had an issue.

[Gatto Nero]

Why bother with a lift? We beach ours with no problems.We tether them so that they stay put and just push off into slightly deeper water before we start them up.....also shut them down 15' or 20' from the shore when we return so that we don't suck sand into the intakes.
Also bottom wash them when we put them up for the winter.
No waiting to crank them up and down on a lift....just jump on,push off and ride.

Although we don't have a beach I tried something similar by tying the front to a tree stump near shore and anchoring the back. It worked fine until my neighbor complained to Safely Services about a my boat mooring. When they came out to investigate they saw my jetski setup and informed me that I had to register the anchor as a mooring and they wouldn't issue a second mooring.