Storing waverunner on the water

[Winilyme]

Like Tilton, our Hewitt lift is installed parallel to our dock and works just fine like that. Easy to crank down/up and great not having to get in the water to access it. We have the extender legs that I adjust several times over the course of the season (in combination with moving it further out on our dock) as the water level recedes. That's not a problem either though with the low water levels last fall, that thing was at the end of our dock by mid-September. We'll need to move the lift away from the dock when we eventually get a boat.

In winter, we store it on our water level deck. Getting it there isn't the easiest thing in the world since we need to maneuver it around the dock (into five feet+ water) and around to the deck - but the two of us manage. This is a basically drag and heave process...not the most pleasant thing in the world but manageable with the lower lake level. There's a steep bank on the side of the dock where we use the lift so moving it there isn't an option. I spray the moving parts with some lithium grease before leaving it for the winter.

We simply hire someone to move it back in the water each May. Water is too high and cold for us to handle that ourselves. Wish there was a way to move it from the deck, down the dock and drop it in there but that would probably be a four person job if it could even be done with the 4x6 posts and six feet dock width. It's not so much heavy as it is very awkward to move.

There's lot's of wave action where we are on the lake. I've been cautioned against the floats in this type of environment. The lift works well for us and I like keeping it up and out of the water. I keep the bunk boards angled upward slightly - enough to provide a bit of noticeable resistance for those that don't follow instructions to start it in reverse. The lift also gives you a bit of under craft accessibility which was helpful when I had to clear a stick out of the intake or when I needed to look for damage after a rock rammed into me.

I may look into the auto lift option with a solar powered battery at some point.

[TiltonBB]

Originally Posted by Winilyme

We simply hire someone to move it back in the water each May. Water is too high and cold for us to handle that ourselves. Wish there was a way to move it from the deck, down the dock and drop it in there but that would probably be a four person job if it could even be done with the 4x6 posts and six feet dock width. It's not so much heavy as it is very awkward to move.

I usually put mine back in by myself though it would be a lot easier with two people. Starting with it on it's side on the dock I keep sliding it towards the water until it passes the halfway point and it rotates into the water by itself. It usually lands close to where I want it.

Prior to pushing it over I tie a couple of lines to it. Using the lines, and a metal rake, I can push/pull it into position. The quicker I can maneuver it the better because there is still air trapped in the tubes so there is a little flotation before it fills up.

I should probably have help but it is part of my ongoing plan to refuse to acknowledge that I am getting old!

[fatlazyless]

Monster foam noodles sold at Walmart cost about five dollars each, size 5" diameter x 42" long and are good for rolling a small vessel like a jetski or small row boat, or small sail boat across the front yard and down a rocky embankment ramp made with 2"x8"x10' planks.

For retrieving the small vessel in the fall, get a $45-power pull with the polypropylene rope included from Tractor Supply. For relatively light moves the rope power pull seems to be easier to use than than the stronger cable pulls made by Maasdam and sold at the late great Laconia ServiStar Hardware.

........ anchors away! .... ..... plus now you have three or four foam noodles for swimming improvement and synchronized water ballet!

[Geneva Point]

Has anyone used these mooring arms instead of whips? Curious to see if they work in high winds or not. My place is on a point facing north so we get waves with a long reach.

https://www.overtons.com/dockmate-mo...E&gclsrc=aw.ds

[TiltonBB]

Maybe I just don't get it but I can't figure out how you would attach them if you weren't in the water.

That would seem to rule them out for early season use.

[ApS]

Originally Posted by Geneva Point

Has anyone used these mooring arms instead of whips? Curious to see if they work in high winds or not. My place is on a point facing north so we get waves with a long reach.https://www.overtons.com/dockmate-mo...E&gclsrc=aw.ds

Those mooring arms were discussed here:
https://www.winnipesaukee.com/forums...9&postcount=14

They're gonna need help...

[Geneva Point]

Got it. Thanks ApS.

[Geneva Point]

TiltonBB, how do you get your lift out and on the dock in the fall? Do you get into the water with a few people and lift it out and onto the dock?

[TiltonBB]

I don't get in the water. I don't really have an easy way to do it.

I try to find a little help and drag it up onto the dock. I usually attach a couple of lines to it to pull with. Sometimes I can pull it with a metal rake. It is not pretty and really involves just muscling it up.

I find that if I raise it all the way up first a lot of water drains out of the channels in it and it gets lighter.

[feb]

Originally Posted by Geneva Point

Has anyone used these mooring arms instead of whips? Curious to see if they work in high winds or not. My place is on a point facing north so we get waves with a long reach.

https://www.overtons.com/dockmate-mo...E&gclsrc=aw.ds

I've used these for about 6 years and they are still as solid as I bought them. I get a lot of rollers where I am and yes, the jetski does bounce around a bit, but it is secure and I worry more about the boat than the jetski because of these.