I am considering purchasing a used hydra hoist, in slip system, and was wondering if anyone has any excperience with these units. The one I'm looking at is 3 years old. Are there any issues with these units ? What is involved in transporting/relocating one ? Thnx.
Hydra hoist
- Thread starter VEGAS RAY
- Start date
quality time
Well-Known Member
- Oct 30, 2007
- 2,365
- Boat Info
- Miss Stress
2006 50' Post
- Engines
- Series 60 Detroits
I had a 4500 LB Hydro hoist for about 7 years. I kept a 22' Avanti and then a 26' Velocity on it. To tell you the truth, mine was nerve racking. Depending on which set up it is, mine had four valves (2 front, 2 back). With this set up, you always have to keep the stern lower than the bow which means your boat is at an extreme angle during launch and lift. Both of my boats had thru hull exhaust so I had to keep an eye on the location of the tips during lift/launch process. If for some reason the front tanks don't get blown out all the way or the bow gets lower than the stern, the boat and lift will take a dive and lurch forward (which I did once). Talk about puckering up! I personally would only buy one again for a small boat but I don't know how alot of guys use them on 40-50' performance boats. Too much $$ hanging up there.
As far as relocating one, do you mean by water or by truck? My marina hauled mine out with the travel lift each winter, when I sold it we dismantled it and loaded it on a car trailer. It's like a big erector set and I don't know how well the guy made out putting it back together but that wasn't my problem...
As far as relocating one, do you mean by water or by truck? My marina hauled mine out with the travel lift each winter, when I sold it we dismantled it and loaded it on a car trailer. It's like a big erector set and I don't know how well the guy made out putting it back together but that wasn't my problem...
I just talked to the rep from the hydra-hoist dealer who installed the unit im looking at. It is a unit that will keep the boat completely level and he says I can either transport it in the water by towing it or he has some kind of rig he built using trolling motors to move them around. Luckily my slip is located on the same body of water as the sellers, just different marinas. It is a smaller unit so he said transporting it by truck is an option. He also claims 2, 6 hour days should cover the transport and building process for which he charges 1200 bucks ! A new one of the same size costs about 5500 and I can get this used one for 1200 it also sounds to good to be true but the seller said he knows someone who can do the install way cheaper I therefore told him get it to my dock,install it, and when I see it work I'l buy it from him and pay his " buddy" for the install. On another note the same dealer offered this seller 600 for the unit 2-3 months ago but the seller did not want to go that low when I asked the dealer about buying a used one from him he said he has one for 3750 installed just goes to show the mark up on these babies and how these guys want to gouge you :wow:
quality time
Well-Known Member
- Oct 30, 2007
- 2,365
- Boat Info
- Miss Stress
2006 50' Post
- Engines
- Series 60 Detroits
I can't remember what I paid for mine new but the installation was included in the price. The unit was new when I bought it, I think I sold it for around half of what I paid new. If you are handy you can put them together. We had to adjust everything to accomodate my 26' and it wasn't too bad. The biggest problem is figuring out the weight distribution, if you are wrong it could be disastrous.
We have a few hydra-hoists in our marina mixed in with the traditional cable lifts. All of the Hydras I have seen need to be fastened to the dock from both sides if your in a double wide slip they put a skinny finger dock in... Just something to keep in mind. The other disadvantage is they are floating so any wake can really move them around... I have seen a few lose air in one pontoon and they really tip as well... just some thoughts
Pirate
New Member
I've owned 4 Hydro hoists from 4000lbs to 30,000lbs. I still have (2) 4000lbs units on my dock that we bought new in 1980 and they're working great. The 20/30k units had multi-valve systems that required some attention to operate, but nothing too terribly involved. The smaller, 4-5k units are a single valve, single motor operation that are simple. Installation is KEY. Done improperly, it can make the lift very touchy. Get the install done right.
