Ramp / Lift suggestions

[pwc_brick]

Good day,


Well I didn't get my ski the conventional way but it's finally in my hands and I couldn't be happier. Now its the matter of where and how to store it.


Wondering if I could get some suggestions on ramps and where I might be able to buy in Ontario. I started looking at lifts (cantilever and vertical) however the drop from the shore line is just to great.


Then I started looking at the drive on floating dock like the shorestation. Figure that's out of the question as where we are the bay gets quite rough.


The only other solution I can think of is a ramp style system. I've attached some pictures of the shoreline. Our neighbor allowed us to use his ramp for the time being and although not the easiest, it gets the job done.


Anyway, penny for your thoughts?

[K447]

Where are you located?

That is a tough shoreline to work with. How exposed is the location to open water and storm driven waves?

How deep is the water/bottom near the shore?

Do you own the dock? Is it a floating dock?

Whatever you install for the ski parking, must it be removed prior to each winter?

Is there a marina nearby you could use rather than having the ski parked at your shoreline?

[Kremo]

Easier and practical to have ski at the shoreline yes. I would probably store on the trailer you never know. Sorry trying to get my posts up. New to the group.

[K447]

Easier and practical to have ski at the shoreline yes.

I would probably store on the trailer you never know.

Sorry trying to get my posts up. New to the group.

Welcome.

The more info you can provide about your situation the better we can respond.

My posted questions are meant to develop a better idea of the constraints and possibilities.

[Jonesyfxr]

Welcome….
Ive seen people use the roller style shore lifts with good success. That is a steep pull for sure, but you could install a battery operated winch.

[pwc_brick]

Thanks for the replies.. The whole point is to have ski accessible while we are up there. Not protected at all and next to marina so lots of boat traffic which eliminates the drive on type. We have a floating dock but been told is best to try and get out of the water when not in use. For the rest of this summer will probably just tie it to our dock with crap loads of fenders. Everyone down from us has the lift style but their shore has no where near the drop off or depth ours does which is why the one lift company I talked to did’t recommend it. Any way I found Naylor and roll n go Canada.. When not up there will put on trailer and store it. Think I’ve convinced my self of the ramp type, now to just to find manufactures and quotes.

[K447]

Mooring whips can keep the hull from bashing against the dock side. Fenders are a tough solution with PWC due to the short gunwale height. Wave action tends to move the floating dock and PWC at different moments so the dock edge moves up and down against the hull, which often dislodges fenders. And sometimes the hull even gets caught under the dock side as things rock back and forth.


This thread has multiple comments regarding fenders and dock protection.

http://greenhulk.net/showthread.php?t=198931&p=2185108&viewfull=1#post2185108

Since you have shoreline near the dock, you may be able to use an angled dock line to hold the hull away from your dock.



In this photo both the PWC were mine. Two different ways of using a dock line providing tension at an angle. Both of the stern lines are elastic.

The Airhead Bungee Dock Line is one type that I use

https://www.royaldistributing.com/air-head-bungee-dock-line.html

The long white line is actually an Anchor Buddy stretchy anchor rode. It is not as strong tension as the elastic dock lines but is available in lengths up to 30 feet. I use it as an elastic spring line in some docking situations.

Elastic dock lines are available in several lengths. These have a rubber core inside a normal braided rope sheath. If the rubber fails the outer rope still has enough strength to hold the hull. I suggest the Airhead six foot length, and you may want to link two together for more stretch range to the shoreline anchor point. Extend using regular dock line as needed to your on shore anchor point.




With the hull tensioned on an angle between the dock and the shoreline, use a third dock line to pull the far end towards the dock when you want to board or access the PWC.

Cleat the stretchy tension line to the dock when you want the use the PWC. Link the retrieval line to the tension line to make it easier to handle it while under tension. I like and use stainless steel snap hooks, marine grade, for easy connect and disconnect to the PWC attach loops.


These come in several sizes, for ease of use with wet hands (and plenty of reserve strength) I suggest the 3” or even 4” size.

Do not use carabiners. They are often cheaply made and not properly load rated, and the hook end can unexpectedly snag flesh or clothing while wrestling with a tensioned line.

This Danik sliding hook can also be a problem solver


I suggest using dock lines of 3/8” thickness, perhaps more. The thickness helps with gripping the rope. The factory loop in one (or both) end makes it easy to attach to another line or cleat.

[pwc_brick]

Figured I'd just update what I've done. Went with the ramp which works for the weekend when not tied to our dock (overnight ect.) Still works well even with the bay down by around 2 feet. I'm happy with with it!
Went out on the weekend for first ride, cold but still fun.

[K447]

I will suggest a safety strap (or chain) added to ensure the ski stays on the ramp even if the winch releases unexpectedly, while unattended.

Mounted to the actual frame of the lift, in case the winch tower itself was to fail (somehow).

I use the Boat Buckle G2 stainless transom 2 inch wide strap on my trailer as a safety strap to the PWC bow eye. Works well, self-retracts. Quite strong.

[pwc_brick]

Good tip, thanks will def look into that. Rather be safe then sorry, that's for sure.