I'm looking to buy a dual lift for my GP1200R and GP1300R. I'm finally done trailering, but don't want to beach them or leave them tied up in the water overnight. I've seen quite a few different models of lifts, ranging from drive in plastic types, to manual crank up with a big wheel, to electric. Tell me what you like or don't like, and why. Thanks!

where do you live? on saltwater, fresh, river, lake? Everyone here in FL by my uses either the davit/sling type lifts, or electic docks that go up and down...Up in michigan where Im from (on a 600 acre lake) most people used the "shore landr" type lifts where you crank them up with a big wheel....Each lake/dock I would think is individual...IMO, in FL I like they davit style lifts, up north i would build one custom out of aluminum and wood since it has to come in and out for the winter....

02 Nissan Xterra Supercharged
1997 GP1200:
RD aquavein
RD ride plate
Vortex filters
Primer kit
pre-mix
1983 Ski Nautique 2002
1991 17' Lund 40Hp Johnson

I'm on a freshwater lake in Georgia. No freezing, so it can stay put year round. It seems that the plastic type would move with the waves.

yeah, its just that those plastic ones like they sell at overtons are so freaking ugly its not even funny....

02 Nissan Xterra Supercharged
1997 GP1200:
RD aquavein
RD ride plate
Vortex filters
Premixed and primed
1983 Ski Nautique 2002
1991 Lund Rebel 40Hp Johnson

That is why I don't have one. Where in Michigan?

Ludington area..Small lake called Bass lake just outside of pentwater..From my place there on a small inlet I can turn left and go 100 yards into the 600 acre lake, or go right...drop my ski off a 6 inch dam and ride in lake michigan! (after I drag my ski thru about 100 yards of 2-3 inch water on the beach....Grueling and exhausting, but worth it!) Its the best of both worlds for glass and surf!

02 Nissan Xterra Supercharged
1997 GP1200:
RD aquavein
RD ride plate
Vortex filters
Premixed and primed
1983 Ski Nautique 2002
1991 Lund Rebel 40Hp Johnson

It depends mostly on if your dock is a pier dock or floating dock. I did a bunch of research about 6 months ago and I love the one I have.
PIER
I'm on a pier dock and got mine from West Marine (it actually came from someone else but they can order it for you). What is so cool about it is that it's mounted on the side of your dock and when you lift it, if you want, you can swing it around and set in on the dock. I can post a picture if you want. I have electric motor but you can get a hand crank.
FLOATING
For a floating dock with deep water I like the HydroHoist style. If you haven't seen them before they are mostly on big boats but make them for skis. They are large tanks that are filled with air from a motor and lift the boat and filled with water to sink it, very cool and easy.

Gadget,

Send me an photo. Sounds like a great idea!

bill_grabowski@sra.com

This is from the West Marine catalog. I have more pics if anyone needs them.
<img src="http://www.msnusers.com/j2sm3a7vjq9osgmgbin50un1t3/documents/lift%2Ejpg">

lets try that again. I'm not the best at this.

Hey,
I just got a quote from my local distributor in GA. They quoted $2100 installed for the HydroHoist (low end for small PWC's). Is that inline with what others have seen? Can I install myself and save some $$$? That seems a little steep considering some of the other lift options.
RAD

If you are technical at all you should be able to install the HydroHoyst. I had one once for a boat and it attached to the dock in a few places with some long galvanized bolts and then you run hoses to the motor (which is just a vaccum cleaner motor running backwards). The motor, valves and hoses are all on one bracked piece and it mounts to the dock with usually two bolts. You also have to adjust the runners to match up on your ski but it's not really any different than setting the bunks on a trailor. The trickey part is getting it to the dock. When they brought mine in they put it on a trailor, filled it with air and closed the valves, then just backed it down the ramp like a boat and tugged it floating behind a boat to the slip. You just gotta make sure you don't have an air leak because it will sink in the lake with no electricity to air it up. It is a little work, but you can save some $$.

One other thing to remember on the HydroHoist is that there is a pretty good used market on them and you can sell it if you don't need it anymore and someone can reinstall it in a different location. It may be good to look in a bargain post or classified ad around a lake area and you might find a used one.