Boat lift help!!
 

Hey guys,
I'm considering investing (err throwing money away) on a lift for the xstar. I know there are tons of threads out there on lifts but my situation is very unique.

I'm a member at a boat club on a river that has floating docks with lots of depth (10') and a muddy bottom. Water level definitely varies about 4' throughout the year. The docks are old as sin, and couldn't support any sort of lift attached to them (like a hydrohoist setup). I don't believe the club would allow me to put a lift that sits on the bottom as we take the docks in and out every year.

So... what I'm left with (I think) is a self-floating lift. I have a buddy at the club who has a sunstream floatlift and the thing is awesome. They sell new for like 14k and I don't want to dish that out on a lift. Any other options out there?

I have another friend who has a sunstream V-lift (air displacement but still floats on its own) slightly used I could buy for 6k (overpriced?) that's in town. Lots of money but do I really have any other options?

Hydrohoists do float on their own...They only use the dock to secure to...It's not supporting it.

I have a Sunstream Floatlift. I found it used for $5k. I had to scour craigs and ebay for a couple of months to find it. I'm sure if you do the same, you can find the same type of deal.

http://www.shoppok.com/jerseyshore/a...ce=clazoutfeed

That is a bit of a drive, but its worth it....

What about something like this? http://www.airdock.com
They use these at an a marina that does not allow you to bolt to the dock.

Hydohoists ARE self floating lifts. Look at the side mounting options as opposed to the U Dock mounts

Take a look at this one as well:

http://www.boatlift.com/product/harborhoist/

I have a float air and from what I have seen, they are way better than Hydrohoist for half the price.

http://boatlifts-floatair.com

Float air and hydrohoist lifts have connections to the dock - I am unable to connect my lift to the dock due to the shape the docks are in (they were never designed for that). I need something totally free-floating like the sunstream floatlift or V lift, or airdock (which I'm not sold on)

I had an Airdock for an old Sport Nautique I had. I will admit it was not as easy to use as a lift with rigid bunks, but I was in a situation similar to yours and it fit the bill.