So, you’ve finally decided on buying a boat lift. What now? As a boat owner, you know that there are wide varieties of vessel shapes, sizes and styles. From dinghies to superyachts, there is absolutely no lack of diversity when it comes to vessels on the market. Though this is a plus for everyone looking for a boat that’s just the right fit for their needs and budget constraints, this also poses issues when buying a boat lift. Will the lift fit your boat and your needs? Answer these simple questions and you can buy a boat lift that works for you.
3 Questions to Answer When Buying a Boat Lift
How big is my boat?: Knowing the weight and dimensions of your vessel is an obvious but essential step to buying a boat lift that will operate safely for your vessel. Heavier boats often require stronger lifts, just as larger boats must be accommodated by larger lift platforms. Need help in finding the dimensions of your boat? Check out NADAguides to look up your model.
What is my vessel’s bottom shape?: From displaced catamarans to flat bottoms, understanding your boat’s bottom shape (hull) is vital for preventing damage while assuring proper safety from the risk of your vessel tipping over due to balance issues while it’s on the lift. You would never try to put a square peg into a round hole; why try to put a catamaran on a boat lift meant for a flat-bottomed boat?
What fits my dock?: Much like the variety of needs experienced in boats themselves, the dock or marina in which you store your boat may have some unique needs. Always check with your marina to ensure that the boat lift you want to purchase fits and is allowed before putting your money down.
A bonus question to ask yourself: Why not consult an expert? Hi-Tide Boat Lifts is a leader in the industry, outfitting lifts for PWC’s to yachts, and everything in between. Simply give one of our experts a ring at 1-800-544-0735 or fill out our quick Lift Finder questionnaire. Though finding the right boat can be a struggle, finding the right lift is as easy as answering a few quick questions and asking an expert that you trust.
Though you may be more than comfortable visiting your favorite boating spot for years, sometimes Old Jim’s lake can get a bit humdrum (we still love you, Jim). Maybe you dream of hitting the water out West. Perhaps you just want to see the boating diversity within the Sunshine State itself. We’ve all had wandering daydreams of boating spots that are on our “must-see” lists. Why just dream about it when the U.S. is full of diverse waters and some of the best boating in the world?
If you want to get a taste for boating outside of your normal boating bubble, research these five cities for some of the best boating you’ll find this side of the Pacific.
5 of the Best Boating Towns
Tampa/St. Petersburg, Florida: Featuring Tampa Bay, the largest estuary in Florida, the Tampa/St. Pete area is also rich with rivers and smaller, cruiseable bodies of water. Don’t forget the nearly year-round warm weather that extends boating season far beyond that of our northern friends.
Ft. Lauderdale/Miami, Florida: OK, we know — you probably think we’re a bit biased, sharing two Florida towns as our picks for best boating, but stick with us. With beautiful, blue waters, fantastic scuba and fishing spots, and a world-renowned boat show, South Florida is simply unmissable on your quest for the best boating in America.
Austin, Texas: If freshwater boating is more your tempo, look no further than Texas’ inland gem, Austin. This city is home to nearly 5,000 miles of freshwater and nearly 300 lakes. If you’re a fan of Florida’s warm weather, Austin also doesn’t disappoint in this department.
Minneapolis, Minnesota: Sure, the weather in this chilly, midwest town doesn’t lend itself to good year-round boating, but the “Land of 10,000 Lakes” is a boater’s paradise in warmer months. There are nearly countless options for some top-tier freshwater fishing here.
Seattle, Washington: A city that’s often dismissed as a rainy, depressing and drab, the boating and outdoor scene is anything but. Featuring a strong boating community and simply gorgeous views, grab a cup of joe and give this city a try.
There’s nothing like having a secret fishing spot or boating route that you share with only blood relatives and best buds; it’s part of boating culture. However, seeing what the rest of this grand country has to offer is something that can make you grow as a boater, and as a person. The above five picks for best boating are far from the only notable cities to add to your must-see list. We’d love to list every worthwhile boating town, but we’d be updating this post well into next week. However, we encourage you all to take the time to explore something new with the ones you love. Who knows? You may just find your new favorite fishing town or boating bastion.
Cats versus dogs, sweet versus savory, live bait versus artificial lures; there are certainly more than enough topics to be divided on, and catamarans (cats) versus monohull vessels is yet another worth adding to your list. As a boater, the waters you travel, and the purposes for which you do so, play heavily into your choice of vessel. Hopefully, we can shed a bit of light on the differences, pros and cons on these vessel varieties in order to ensure that you buy the right boat for the job.
Catamarans
The Pros:
Cats are, generally, much more stable than monohulls due to the weight displacement offered by multiple hulls.
The cabin space in cats are often much wider and situated above the waterline, providing added comfort for cruising or enjoying a day on the water and sunshine.
Cats, even capsized, very rarely sink, due to high buoyancy.
The Cons:
Historically, cats are notorious for the risk of capsizing, though modern designs have greatly improved their safety.
Due to these vessels being wider than many monohulls, they may be a bit trickier to dock.
Monohulls
The Pros:
The price of monohulls is often lower than comparably sized cats.
Monohulls provide a traditional “feel” while boating, which many prefer to the flatter plane provided in a cat.
Though cats are more stable, monohulls don’t slap the water as much when cruising at higher speeds.
The Cons:
Monohulls are far less stable that cats while on the water.
The risk of sinking is much higher in a monohull, whether from a leak or after capsizing.
Due to the fact that most of the main living space in a monohull is below the waterline, these spaces can often feel claustrophobic.
Like so much in boating (and life), the decision really comes down to personal preference. We recommend taking a trip on both varieties in order to see which vessel best fits the feel that you’re looking for while on the water. Just remember: no matter whether you choose to team with catamarans or monohulls, Hi-Tide has the perfect boat lift for the job.
Spinners, spoons, poppers, jigs; no we’re not listing the latest in hip-hop slang that you’ll have to get your kids to translate. We’re talking bait and lures, one of the biggest battles raging in many a fishing household. Are bait or lures better for your favorite fishing hole? Well, we’re going to have to play Switzerland in this conflict, and for good reason: both natural bait and artificial lures have their respective pros and cons depending on your fishing spot and targeted fish. So, what do you need to know before picking the right tools for your next fishing foray?
Bait or Lures: Variations, Pros and Cons
Live Bait
Live bait is mostly utilized in freshwater fishing, including a number of small critters, such as worms, minnows, crickets, grasshoppers, beetles, snails, fish roe and leeches. Though the squeamish may have some trouble with this practice, live bait has been used for eons, preferred by many for its natural color, odor and texture. There is no beating the allure of all-natural bait when it comes to sheer, instinctual attraction for many fish.
Live bait is not without its downsides, however. For one, it’s often much more work to ensure that your bait is kept alive and kicking. Besides storage, acquiring local bait can sometimes be a tall order. Sure, you could just pick up bait from anywhere, but local bait is often much more effective since it’s familiar to the fish that you’re trying to reel in.
Artificial Lures
To the live bait fans, we say the most sincere form of flattery is imitation, and that is precisely the aim of artificial lures. Providing a level of variety and options for any fishing hole, artificial lures have live bait beat when it comes to flexibility. Though you’d be hard-pressed to find a lure that can perfectly imitate live bait, many modern lures do a pretty darn good job. Crankbaits, plugs, flies, jigs, spinners, spoons, poppers and more can all add up to an arsenal of options regardless of where you’re casting your reel.
On the downside, again, at best, these lures are simply imitations of the real prey of the fish you’re trying to catch. Not to mention the learning curve of mastering the right tool for the job. Are you looking to catch fish at the surface, subsurface or bottom levels? Should I go high or low tech? What colors or movement will work best? There are often a stifling amount of questions that could deter beginners from making a decision.
Though choosing between live bait and artificial lures is not always an easy decision to make, always remember that fishing is supposed to be fun. Don’t sweat the small stuff when planning your first fishing fun. As always, this boating and fishing community that we’re all a part of is more than happy to share a few friendly tips, so don’t be afraid to ask for some advice when picking up your gear. You may have to sit through a big fish story or two, but you may just come back from your trip with a few stories to tell of your own.
Aluminum; the first thing that comes to mind may be a classic can of soup, but for many boaters, aluminum plays a big part in many aspects of their sea-faring lifestyle. Though you may assume that other compounds would make for better building materials on the water, you may have underestimated the durability of this trusted metal. Though we are, by no means, discounting the benefits of fiberglass in boat building, we’d like to explore just why aluminum is our choice metal for so many of our boat lifts and accessories.
Three Major Benefits of Aluminum
Weight: To give some perspective on just how lightweight aluminum is compared to other metals of comparative strength, it is just ⅓ the weight of steel. Due to this weight advantage, aluminum parts and products can be made thicker for added strength that would otherwise be significantly weighed down.
Proven Track Record: Aluminum is used by a few folks you may have heard of: NASA, the U.S. Army and the U.S. Air Force, just to name three. From Humvees to F-16 fighter jets, if it’s proven in battle, it’s good enough to keep your boat safe.
Strength: Certain aluminum alloys can match and even beat the strength of some steel, the strongest of which can handle 72,000+ pounds per square inch. Anti-rust and anticorrosive properties are two other benefits of aluminum that make it perfect for boat lifts and accessories in fresh and saltwater scenarios.
For the above reasons and more, aluminum is the tough and tenacious material that we choose to use in so many of our very own products. Take, for instance, our aluminum elevator lifts. You need to know that your lift won’t begin deteriorating while you plan your next boating adventure, or be damaged by frequent usage. Trusted in space, in war and yes, even in saltwater, aluminum will not let you down when choosing your Hi-Tide boat lift.
