Boat lifts and PWC lifts
A lift keeps the hull out of the water between trips. Here's what to think through before adding one to a Hartwell dock.
Hartwell boats spend long stretches in the slip between weekends, and a lift raises the hull clear of the water when it isn't running. Lifts on a floating dock rise and fall with the dock, so the boat stays at the same height relative to the deck as the lake goes up and down.
Which lift fits my dock?
- Lifts built into the slip of a floating dock, sized to the boat's weight with room for fuel, gear and passengers' things left aboard.
- Drive-on PWC lifts or ports attached beside the main slip.
- Upgrades when you move up to a heavier wake boat or pontoon than the original lift was built for.
A floating dock has to carry the lift and the boat on its floats, so a heavy new lift may mean extra flotation. A builder should check that before installing.
Does a lift change my Corps permit?
It can. The Corps' permit conditions say no changes from approved plans are allowed without prior written approval, and structures are subject to inspection by Corps rangers. Ask the Hartwell Project Office before you add a lift or a PWC port, and let the builder include it in any drawings you submit.
What about power to the lift?
Electric lifts need wiring that a South Carolina-licensed electrician has certified, and that certification comes up again at renewal and when the property changes hands. The 2019 plan allows DC solar power for the dock without that certification, which is one reason many owners pair a lift with a solar charging setup.
Signs a lift needs service
- The boat slowly sinks back toward the water overnight
- Grinding, squealing or jerky movement when raising
- Frayed cables or rusted pulleys
- The boat sits crooked on the bunks
- The motor hums but the lift doesn't move
What affects the price?
- Lift type and weight rating
- Whether the dock needs added flotation or framing
- Electric motor, manual crank or solar setup
- Removing an old lift
The builder prices the job once they've walked your lot and seen the water in front of it. We don't quote prices, and a figure given over the phone before a site visit is only a rough guess.
Where we connect you with help
Common questions
Can I add a lift to the dock I already have?
Often, if the dock can carry the extra weight. Check with the Corps first, since changes from your approved plans need written approval.
Do solar lifts need an electrician's certification?
The 2019 Hartwell plan says DC solar powering a dock doesn't need certification by a licensed electrician. Conventional wiring does.
Related services
More background: Lake Hartwell dock permit guide.
Waterlogged floats, a tired lift or a dock you've outgrown?
Call and we'll put you in touch with a builder who works your part of the lake.