Cobaltchat.com

BobRae99 wrote: Mon Apr 27, 2020 3:42 pm EZ Dock makes one that will accommodate up to 5,000 lbs. I checked with Cobalt to see if it was acceptable for my R3 and they said it would be fine. The problem with most drive on docks is that the boat has to ride with the bow very high as it climbs onto the dock and then takes a fair bit of thrust to get the boat off the dock.

The BP5001 https://www.ez-dock.com/product/ez-boat ... ir-assist/ gets around that problem by utilizing air chambers that are flooded with water to allow the dock to sit lower in the water after which the air chambers purge the water and the dock floats up carrying the boat out of the water.

Last year when I looked into this, the system was about $9,000USD plus freight and installation. In the end, my marina operator didn't want to install it. I might follow up with him again this year.

My problem is, if I move up to an R6, this floating dock system wouldn't suit the new boat as the R6 is over 5,000 lbs dry.

I've looked at a lot of lifting docks, but few seem to be suited to an EZ Dock floating dock system (used in my marina) and the ones that are, are made by smaller manufacturers without a good dealership network. I was at a boat show this spring looking at a Harbour Hoist and the local reps for the product couldn't explain how the dock operated, warranty, installation costs, etc.

I think the Harbour Hoist needed a fair bit of depth to work and its too wide to fit in half of a 20' wide double slip. maybe it would work for the OP. Don't know the cost though.

https://tidewaterboatlifts.com/index.php/harborhoist/

ajcampen wrote: Tue Apr 28, 2020 9:04 am anyone have any reservations b/c of extra wear and tear on the keel? I just cringe thinking about all the scraping as you power it on dock. that harbor hoist is pretty sweet. I looked at it last year. You just tie it onto the side of the pier. The power and the controls are all part of the unit so you tie it on and at the end of the season float it to the ramp and pull it out on a trailer. I wish I had this. It needs 24 inches plus the draft of your boat to operate.

ajcampen wrote: Tue Apr 28, 2020 9:04 am anyone have any reservations b/c of extra wear and tear on the keel? I just cringe thinking about all the scraping as you power it on dock. that harbor hoist is pretty sweet. I looked at it last year. You just tie it onto the side of the pier. The power and the controls are all part of the unit so you tie it on and at the end of the season float it to the ramp and pull it out on a trailer. I wish I had this. It needs 24 inches plus the draft of your boat to operate.

Dudley67 wrote: Tue Apr 28, 2020 7:59 am

BobRae99 wrote: Mon Apr 27, 2020 3:42 pm EZ Dock makes one that will accommodate up to 5,000 lbs. I checked with Cobalt to see if it was acceptable for my R3 and they said it would be fine. The problem with most drive on docks is that the boat has to ride with the bow very high as it climbs onto the dock and then takes a fair bit of thrust to get the boat off the dock.

The BP5001 https://www.ez-dock.com/product/ez-boat ... ir-assist/ gets around that problem by utilizing air chambers that are flooded with water to allow the dock to sit lower in the water after which the air chambers purge the water and the dock floats up carrying the boat out of the water.

Last year when I looked into this, the system was about $9,000USD plus freight and installation. In the end, my marina operator didn't want to install it. I might follow up with him again this year.

My problem is, if I move up to an R6, this floating dock system wouldn't suit the new boat as the R6 is over 5,000 lbs dry.

I've looked at a lot of lifting docks, but few seem to be suited to an EZ Dock floating dock system (used in my marina) and the ones that are, are made by smaller manufacturers without a good dealership network. I was at a boat show this spring looking at a Harbour Hoist and the local reps for the product couldn't explain how the dock operated, warranty, installation costs, etc.

I think the Harbour Hoist needed a fair bit of depth to work and its too wide to fit in half of a 20' wide double slip. maybe it would work for the OP. Don't know the cost though.

https://tidewaterboatlifts.com/index.php/harborhoist/

Appreciate the insight BobRae99! That is the insight I was looking for. I did come across this as well:

https://www.airdock.com/

I had a quote for dock modification and installing the Magnum Pile mounted lift. But have gotten the silent treatment. So am having to look at another option(s).

Already had bought a pre-owned 8k pile lift. Just can’t get pile installed..

TruckerTim wrote: Tue Apr 28, 2020 10:03 am

Dudley67 wrote: Tue Apr 28, 2020 7:59 am

BobRae99 wrote: Mon Apr 27, 2020 3:42 pm EZ Dock makes one that will accommodate up to 5,000 lbs. I checked with Cobalt to see if it was acceptable for my R3 and they said it would be fine. The problem with most drive on docks is that the boat has to ride with the bow very high as it climbs onto the dock and then takes a fair bit of thrust to get the boat off the dock.

The BP5001 https://www.ez-dock.com/product/ez-boat ... ir-assist/ gets around that problem by utilizing air chambers that are flooded with water to allow the dock to sit lower in the water after which the air chambers purge the water and the dock floats up carrying the boat out of the water.

Last year when I looked into this, the system was about $9,000USD plus freight and installation. In the end, my marina operator didn't want to install it. I might follow up with him again this year.

My problem is, if I move up to an R6, this floating dock system wouldn't suit the new boat as the R6 is over 5,000 lbs dry.

I've looked at a lot of lifting docks, but few seem to be suited to an EZ Dock floating dock system (used in my marina) and the ones that are, are made by smaller manufacturers without a good dealership network. I was at a boat show this spring looking at a Harbour Hoist and the local reps for the product couldn't explain how the dock operated, warranty, installation costs, etc.

I think the Harbour Hoist needed a fair bit of depth to work and its too wide to fit in half of a 20' wide double slip. maybe it would work for the OP. Don't know the cost though.

https://tidewaterboatlifts.com/index.php/harborhoist/

Appreciate the insight BobRae99! That is the insight I was looking for. I did come across this as well:

https://www.airdock.com/

I had a quote for dock modification and installing the Magnum Pile mounted lift. But have gotten the silent treatment. So am having to look at another option(s).

Already had bought a pre-owned 8k pile lift. Just can’t get pile installed..

I bought a new Airdock when I bought my new Malibu in 2006. Buddy of mine turned me on to it and it worked great for the first two years. Then it started getting little tiny holes and loosing air. I had mine in floating dock at the lake house and it was hard to keep it from rubbing on the side of the dock. Then had to keep pulling it out to fine said tiny holes a patch them. (My first clue it might not be a great set up was when the dock came they included a patch kit!)

The final straw was when I arrived on a Saturday morning only to find one whole side was completely deflated and the boat was rubbing on the side of the dock.... For who knows how long! Many $$ later in wet sanding... Sold it to my neighbor who had it six months and had same issues. He got so pissed he slit each bag, (there are three) and let it sink to the bottom of the lake.

I bought a use Hydro Hoist and never had another issue.