We normally have 5 guys to put in our docks and lifts. This year, we only have 3. The docks and smaller lift shouldn’t be bad, but we have one big pontoon lift that will be a bear. It has no wheels–just skids. Does anyone have any brilliant ideas and/or methods?
I suggested that my bro-in-law brings his Mastercraft and we just yank it in, but I don’t think that’ll happen 
Well, pulling it out can be made easy with chains, ropes and a truck. Not sure about putting it in.
Find more guys so the work is light. A case or two of beer on ice should cover a few minutes of labor……
Better to have the extra help and not hurt your backs….
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Well, pulling it out can be made easy with chains, ropes and a truck. Not sure about putting it in.
Hence, the Mastercraft 
Take it apart and reassemble in the water. 
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We normally have 5 guys to put in our docks and lifts. This year, we only have 3. The docks and smaller lift shouldn’t be bad, but we have one big pontoon lift that will be a bear. It has no wheels–just skids. Does anyone have any brilliant ideas and/or methods?
I have seen this work fairly well. Once you get the lift so the skids are in the water put air filled inner tubes any where you can then float the lift into position and remove the tubes.
I suggested that my bro-in-law brings his Mastercraft and we just yank it in, but I don’t think that’ll happen
if you know a plumber get a bunch of pieces of pipe and a jack and roll it in. When one piece comes out the back put it in front and keep rolling. Done this a lot with docks and even the pontoon itself.
I have seen this work fairly well. Once you get the lift so the skids are in the water put air filled inner tubes any where you can then float the lift into position and remove the tubes.
oops! Somehow my comment became inter mingled.
boatlifthelper.com
That’s funny we are going with 5 this weekend versus our normal 10 or more for 4 cabins of stuff this weekend …
A lot depends on bottom content and water depth… we’ve tried some things in past like inter-tubes to float/move a huge lift through and over muck to deep water. We have and do use the boat to help pull stuff like long docks and lift’s out. That usually works best if you have wheels. Just be careful and go sloooow you can bend or break things pretty easily along with possibly hurting somebody if your not paying attention. We use rope not chains… 
In the end it’s usually just brute man force, lift and turn lift and pull. We do have some rope tied to some of our lifts to help lift which can help.
Taking things out at the end of the season we some pretty cool electric winch systems and at one cabin we use a 4-wheeler or truck.
Good News is after all is said and done it’s Fillet-Minion and cold brew.
Docks in/out is one of my favorite weekends! 
Also I would start getting donations for wheel kits. Pretty expensive but well worth it in the long run!
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I have seen this work fairly well. Once you get the lift so the skids are in the water put air filled inner tubes any where you can then float the lift into position and remove the tubes.
This method works great! I got relatives that do this every year. A couple years ago on the lake that my family has a cabin on someone must have bought a boat lift from someone on the other side of the lake and that’s how they got it to there property, they floated it with inner tubes and towed it with a boat about five miles from one side of the lake to the other.
Take Care and tight lines!
Kevin
55 gallon poly barrels. Lash them to the lift with ratchet straps. After you float the lift into position, pull the bungs on the barrels and sink em.
I’ve always found Pushing the docks&lifts out in the spring is a hell of alot easier than Pulling them out in the fall, that’s when the muscle is required.. Unless you’re on a shallow lake, the lake bottom should be somewhat sloped towards deeper water and gravity should do most of the work…
I’m with Skeeter. My neighbor has a lift on skids that is a heavy SOB. We (2 of us) can drag it down the bank into the water without much trouble. It gets heavier as it fills with water. Our frontage drops off pretty quick though. The bottom is very soft and once it settles, you need more guys to move it.
It’s a real ball buster pulling it out in the fall. But 3 guys and a good winch and it is a piece of cake. 
If the Wizard, Northwestern or the Time Bandit are on your water, have them stop by and use the crane.
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If the Wizard, Northwestern or the Time Bandit are on your water, have them stop by and use the crane.
There’s no way Capt Keith would help you out…
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We normally have 5 guys to put in our docks and lifts. This year, we only have 3. The docks and smaller lift shouldn’t be bad, but we have one big pontoon lift that will be a bear. It has no wheels–just skids. Does anyone have any brilliant ideas and/or methods?
Block and Tackle – with a Chevy Truck
I suggested that my bro-in-law brings his Mastercraft and we just yank it in, but I don’t think that’ll happen
Slip your skeeter underneath it, reverse the winch and lower the lift onto the boat – it will float up and then you can move it around, at will
Dog 
It’s not a terrible task once in the water. We have a firm sand bottom, so the skid slide pretty well. Getting it over a hump and down a 4-5 foot steep rock and sand bank presents the biggest obstacle.
Thanks for any suggestions. We’ll get it done and probabl have fun in the process.
AAAhhh …put some wheels under it. 
Mission accomplished
The weather Saturday was miserable for getting this done, but one of my other bro-in-laws had a change in work schedule, so we ended up with 4 guys and things went in just fine.
2 jet ski lifts…check
2 docks…check
1 cantilever lift for a 17′ tin boat…check
1 cantilever lift for a big pontoon…check
Let the summer begin 
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55 gallon poly barrels. Lash them to the lift with ratchet straps. After you float the lift into position, pull the bungs on the barrels and sink em.
We use an air compresser and tractor tire tubes to float ours out then let the air out.
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We use an air compresser and tractor tire tubes to float ours out then let the air out.
If you don’t have power or want to use it near the water a potable compressed air tank works well. Available at many upcoming garage sales for $3-5.
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