AirDock lift installed

[Trm1765]

Just bought and installed an AirDock boat lift. It seems to hold very stable in water even with pretty good wake from tubers going by. Wondering if anyone else has used these on the Yamaha with some good pointers on tweeking the adjustments so the boat pulls on and off easier. I have played with the internal chambers and weights but it seems that either to much or not enough of one or the other. The suction from the intakes suck the bladder up to the bottom of the boat when I try to move on or off. I am thinking more weight?? @Julian or anyone else with one of these, are you able to drive the boat on and off without pulling it with a rope?

 

[Julian]

I always manually pull it back off....but I drive it on most of the way. Easiest to pull it off before you load everybody up.

 

[Trm1765]

Thanks, Not a lot of room to get it off the lift before passenger loading. I'll keep playing with adjustments.

 

[InmyElement]

Hows the lift after all these years...any regret? Doing some research..
So if you deflate it and load everyone on..its still hard to get off the bladder? I figured you probably have to float off a bit so the intakes are clear?

 

[Julian]

I've found that if I leave mine on the lift for weeks at a time (like more than 2), it can get nicely stuck to the lift. I've learned that rocking, and using a hose down the side of the boat helps to unstick it.

After 5 years of mine, I bought new bladders. I just got a quote on sunstream air lift..... $18,000 Yikes......

 

[Trm1765]

Hows the lift after all these years...any regret? Doing some research..
So if you deflate it and load everyone on..its still hard to get off the bladder? I figured you probably have to float off a bit so the intakes are clear?

I have no regrets and still use it every year. I have learned that more weights in more locations is better. I think even with some maintenance it is still very economical and reliable compared to higher dollar lifts.

 

[Jtamasi]

This is great information and I have a quote from Airdock currently for my 212se. Haas anyone tried to flush the engines while it sits inflated on the Airdock? I bought in Brackish water and need to flush after ever use.

 

[Julian]

This is great information and I have a quote from Airdock currently for my 212se. Haas anyone tried to flush the engines while it sits inflated on the Airdock? I bought in Brackish water and need to flush after ever use.

I don't see a reason why you couldn't flush the boat while its on the air dock.

 

[Jtamasi]

I don't see a reason why you couldn't flush the boat while its on the air dock.

I was thinking the same thing given the impellers are far enough from the intake but didn’t know if anyone has tried it. The Airdock sales rep has given great customer service but deferred me to the website for that question.

 

[Canesfan1]

This is great information and I have a quote from Airdock currently for my 212se. Haas anyone tried to flush the engines while it sits inflated on the Airdock? I bought in Brackish water and need to flush after ever use.

Have had mine on the air dock since 2019. We flush every time we get back without any issues. I’m in saltwater.

 

[Jtamasi]

Have had mine on the air dock since 2019. We flush every time we get back without any issues. I’m in saltwater.

Awesome thanks for the info!! Good looking boat also!

 

[WiskyDan]

Decided that I'm going to wet-slip next year but don't want to leave the boat in the water. Some questions about AirDock for @Trm1765 @Julian and @Canesfan1

• All loading/unloading of passengers/gear is done with the bladders deflated, correct?
• I'm guessing these are self-installs?
• Do all of you have the frame kits?
• How difficult is it to remove the bladders and frames at the end of the season? Could I leave the frame in the water over winter - will ice damage it?

 

[Jtamasi]

Decided that I'm going to wet-slip next year but don't want to leave the boat in the water. Some questions about AirDock for @Trm1765 @Julian and @Canesfan1

• All loading/unloading of passengers/gear is done with the bladders deflated, correct?
• I'm guessing these are self-installs?
• Do all of you have the frame kits?
• How difficult is it to remove the bladders and frames at the end of the season? Could I leave the frame in the water over winter - will ice damage it?

I just ordered one last week for my 212SE. Hope it ships in the next week or so. I’ll post some pictures of it in and out of the water. I plan to install myself and didn’t get the frame kit. If you want to know anything specific once I get it let me know. This group has helped me so much don’t mind returning the favor.

 

[Julian]

Decided that I'm going to wet-slip next year but don't want to leave the boat in the water. Some questions about AirDock for @Trm1765 @Julian and @Canesfan1

• All loading/unloading of passengers/gear is done with the bladders deflated, correct?
• I'm guessing these are self-installs?
• Do all of you have the frame kits?
• How difficult is it to remove the bladders and frames at the end of the season? Could I leave the frame in the water over winter - will ice damage it?

You can load with bladders filled....I load while they are deflating. Usually empty by the time people get on.
I and a neighbor installed mine.
I have a frame kit. You need it unless you have a U shaped dock.
Never removed it from the water. The bladders are heavy, but you can get them out. The frame....its BIG. No idea how it would do in ice. But its not heavy....so if your dock is easily accessible should be doable.

 

[WiskyDan]

I just ordered one last week for my 212SE. Hope it ships in the next week or so. I’ll post some pictures of it in and out of the water. I plan to install myself and didn’t get the frame kit. If you want to know anything specific once I get it let me know. This group has helped me so much don’t mind returning the favor.

@Jtamasi Great, thank you. Wound be interested in any feedback that you could provide as you’re moving through the install process.

 

[Julian]

@Jtamasi Great, thank you. Wound be interested in any feedback that you could provide as you’re moving through the install process.

So you have a U shaped doc (which is why you didn't get the frame kit)?

The frame kit is there so that the corners are held back when you pull onto the dock. Without it, the airdock will just push ahead of you.

 

[WiskyDan]

You can load with bladders filled....I load while they are deflating. Usually empty by the time people get on.
I and a neighbor installed mine.
I have a frame kit. You need it unless you have a U shaped dock.
Never removed it from the water. The bladders are heavy, but you can get them out. The frame....its BIG. No idea how it would do in ice. But its not heavy....so if your dock is easily accessible should be doable.

@Julian Than you for the info.

Girlfriend was worried that the boat would be too far away from the dock to load with the bladder inflated based on the photos that we’ve seen. Any issues with this?

Sounds like I will need to remove the frame at the end of the season. From what I understand, it’s PVC - does it come apart or will I need to remove it whole? The double slip that I will be in has a piling that separates the two slips at the entrance - can this be used to tie off the fourth corner of the bladder instead of using the frame?

I’m waiting for a reply from AirDock and am looking forward to less stressful docking experience at the end of the day.

Thanks again.

 

[Julian]

@Julian Than you for the info.

Girlfriend was worried that the boat would be too far away from the dock to load with the bladder inflated based on the photos that we’ve seen. Any issues with this?

Sounds like I will need to remove the frame at the end of the season. From what I understand, it’s PVC - does it come apart or will I need to remove it whole? The double slip that I will be in has a piling that separates the two slips at the entrance - can this be used to tie off the fourth corner of the bladder instead of using the frame?

I’m waiting for a reply from AirDock and am looking forward to less stressful docking experience at the end of the day.

Thanks again.

• You shouldn't need a frame if you have points at all 4 corners you can tie the dock to. The frame doesn't come apart as it is PVC glued together.
• The dock won't be too far away to load. It puts about 12" to 18" between the dock and the boat.
• One thing I love about the airdock is that you really don't need fenders out when you pull into the dock.....as it is centered and you just slide onto it.

 

[WiskyDan]

@Julian Here is a photo of the docks at the marina:

 

[Canesfan1]

Decided that I'm going to wet-slip next year but don't want to leave the boat in the water. Some questions about AirDock for @Trm1765 @Julian and @Canesfan1

• All loading/unloading of passengers/gear is done with the bladders deflated, correct?
• I'm guessing these are self-installs?
• Do all of you have the frame kits?
• How difficult is it to remove the bladders and frames at the end of the season? Could I leave the frame in the water over winter - will ice damage it?

-Loading begins for me once I begin lowering the boat down. U can walk around it just fine when fully inflated for the most part.
-Installed with the help of friends that also have air docks and no frame kit. I have four points to hold the the air dock in place while pulling on/off.
-I will never remove my bladders because all barnacles on the bottom would cause holes when dragging across the dock.
-I have had mine for 5-6 years with minor issues, u will learn as u go for sure. Getting it setup right is a process, meaning the positioning of the air dock and the lines securing it to the dock, getting the boat to sit properly so u can flush, etc.....