Is a Boat Lift Worth It? 3 Ways to Know if a Boat Lift is Right for You

Is a Boat Lift Worth It? 3 Ways to Know if a Boat Lift is Right for You

Considering buying a boat lift, but aren’t sure if it’s right for you? Our team of experts is here to help you decide what’s the best fit for you and your watercraft!

We’ve compiled a list of questions to help you narrow down if a lift is right for you: 

  1. How often do you use your boat?
  2. Do you have easy access to the water?
  3. What’s your budget?

Here are three things for you to consider!

1. How often do you use your boat? 

If you only use your boat once or twice a year, you may not feel that a boat lift is a worthwhile investment. However, if you’re like us, and you enjoy taking your boat out on the water most weekends with family and friends, a boat lift is just right for you.

A ShoreStation free-standing boat lift with a vinyl Revolution canopy and a Power Curtain beside a dock at night

It's important to consider how often you use your boat.

You may be used to constantly having to trailer and re-trailer your boat, find somewhere to store it, and deal with putting on and taking off your boat cover any time you want to use your boat.

A boat lift makes storing and using your boat much easier. It gives you a safe, sturdy place to store your boat year round. When you’re ready to use it, you can lower it into the water with the touch of a button. 

And instead of dealing with the hassle of a boat cover, add-ons like the mesh Power Curtain keep your boat clean while preventing mildew build up. Our customers love it — they only have to wash their boat a few times a year! 

Having a boat lift makes using your boat a breeze — so if you use it often, it’s definitely worth considering!

2. Do you have easy access to the water?

In sunny Florida, we have hundreds of freshwater lakes. In Clermont, where our office is based, we have more than ten lakes that make up a 8,960-acre interconnected chain.

A dock with a boathouse boat lift and two EZ Port Max 2i floating jet ski ports

A boat lift is a perfect addition to your lakefront set up.

Many of our clients live right on the water, giving them easy access to their dock and boat lift. Others live in lakefront communities that have shared water access and community dock spaces they can purchase and use for their boat lifts.

If you live near or on the water, a boat lift is a great way to give you easy access to your boat. There are options that work alongside your existing dock or boathouse, and even dock-mounted or floating alternatives for your jet skis. The Lil’ Lifter and the EZ Port are our favorites!

Whatever your setup, our crew is here to help! If you’re located in the Central Florida area, we offer free estimates to measure your water depth, dock setup, and shore distance to determine which lift is best for you and your watercraft. We also work with several local dock builders, so we can help you create your dream waterfront setup!

If you’re interested in a lift but aren’t sure if your setup is ideal, we’re happy to talk you through what options might work best for you, and answer any questions you may have!

3. What’s your budget?

Just as your boat is an investment of time and money, a boat lift is an important investment that can allow you to enjoy being on the water for many years to come. But before you begin shopping for boat lifts, it’s important to know how much you’re willing to spend.

A boathouse lift with a ShoreScreen mesh Power Curtain on a dock

A Power Curtain is a great way to protect your boat from the elements.

On the low end, boathouse lifts run anywhere from $3,000-$10,000, depending on the size of boat you have, and what kind of power you have or are interested in. If you’re in the market for a more versatile free-standing lift, they can range from $7,500-$35,000 depending on what you’re looking for and the size of your watercraft.

For more on whether a free-standing or boathouse lift is right for you, click here!

There are lots of great options for your boat, along with great add-ons that provide easier docking, give added protection from the elements, and enhance your overall boating experience. Whatever you’re in the market for, we have a great lift for you!

Deciding whether or not to buy a boat lift is a big decision. But it doesn’t have to be a stressful one! Do your research and consider all your options. Our team is here to help you along the way, so feel free to reach out to our office with any questions you may have!

If you’d like to read more about buying a lift, check out these guides!