Sunstream V-Lift

[Geiger41]

Well I just put my deposit down on a Sunstream V-lift 7k lb. Version. Install is April 19th. I paid $7500+Tax..so $8025 total. This included assembly, and delivery. The unit comes with a 3 year warranty on the lift and a 1 year warranty on the batteries. I'm excited, as some of you from the other site may know I have been researching this lift for about 6 months now. Anyone have any experience with the V-lift.

 

[Julian]

Nice choice! I looked carefully at that lift as well. I ended up with an airdock because it was half the price, but that V-Lift sure is sweet, and will hold its resale value much better than the airdock will!

 

[Skysurfer2010]

Sorry to dig up an old thread, but I notice you have a tower on your boat and use a v-lift. Do you use a mooring cover? If so, how do you get the opposite side from your dock cover on around the tower poles?

 

[Julian]

Can't you roll it back and snap around the tower and keep rolling it back?

 

[Skysurfer2010]

Honestly I'm not entirely sure, but I think it might be difficult to do considering you'd have to lean over the side windshield and reach pretty far down for the forward tower pole. I'm going to have to try it this spring.

 

[Geiger41]

I don't have snaps. To get the cover on really tight, sometimes I will stand on the lift on the water side and work the cover to the rear. Its a pain in the ass sometimes especially if it is windy. BUT one trick is to simply unhook the lift from the dock and swivel it around. This is VERY easy and takes about 5 seconds. Lift is awesome. At first it was a mofo for the cover, now that I have the swivel trick its pretty easy. @Skysurfer2010 if your ever down by LBI/A.C. area I can show you how.

 

[Skysurfer2010]

Thanks I might take you up on that offer!

 

[Gumbeaux]

@geiger41
I just checked out the V lift online and sent an inquiry to them. Looks nice! What did you like about this vs. something like the Hydro Hoist? I am looking at a used 6k lb Hydro Hoist installed for $5200 or a new one, 4400 lbs (all I need) for $6500...
Thanks!

 

[rkluck]

Did you look at FloatAir lifts? I am looking at those right now $5500 installed and it is new.

 

[Gumbeaux]

Did you look at FloatAir lifts? I am looking at those right now $5500 installed and it is new.

Thanks for the tip. Just contacted them....good to have options!
Compared to Hydro hoist, they have metal in the water, but I am not sure how much of an issue that really is long-term in fresh water. They also have hard plastic bunks, as opposed to carpeted, which they tout as long-term maintenance a feature. Question is whether they are harder on the boat than carpeted....

 

[cozilla]

I just got a used Hydrohoist 6600UL for 4k. Pretty pleased with the deal. Hoping to get it installed this week. My marina gets some wake because its on the main channel and the fact that the lift uses 2 pontoon style floats instead of a block float like EconoLift or FloatAir is better at handling the wake our marina sees. Our marina has all kinds of different float style lifts and it seems the block style lifts are the ones that are loosing air and dipping the boat down in the water. Electrolysis and lake crap will over time damage the metal that is subject to water.

 

[rkluck]

All great points. The Floatair lift has no metal parts in the water when the boat is lifted. I was thinking that meant the majority of the time the metal is not in the water. One thing the Floatair is helpful with is if you have shallow water. Since it doesn't have the big tanks it can operate in less water. During the winter our lake drops and this feature allows me to use the boat all winter (unless the lake goes real low!). I wondered about the bunks as well. The version I am looking at is the four point model. What I understand is that the boat does not ride up on the bunks (like a trailer). You tie to the front and then the as the lift goes up it contacts the boat and lifts her out of the water. I have an opportunity to get a regular tank type lift, used, 6600 lbs. and installed for $5200. I have been leaning more towards the Floatair. Am I thinking of something wrong or missing something?

 

[cozilla]

I think FloatAir makes a good lift for sure. I just went down to the marina and walked the docks. It seemed all of the EconoLifts were submerged. We have several people with FloatAirs and those were still up. I don't think you will go wrong with a FloatAir.

 

[Julian]

Here is the link for the float air lifts:

http://boatlifts-floatair.com/category/10

Look's like a good dock....but at my marina we can't attach anything to the dock....this looks to be bolted to the dock?

 

[rkluck]

Yes the Floatair is bolted to the dock. The guy that installs them said the lift actually strengths the dock (I have a floating dock) and he has seen high winds damage other docks but the ones with the lift installed stayed stable. I spoke to the sales guy and I can now get the lift installed for $5325. I think I am going to go with the Floatair.

 

[cozilla]

I got my Hydrohoist installed yesterday. Love having the boat out of the water! Works great.

 

[Geiger41]

Best thing I like about the Vlift is that I can spin it around at will with the boat on or off. This means its way easier to clean and put the cover on/off. Also I can put my boat on /off in any direction. So far I am very happy with my purchase. You just have to make sure you have electric near the lift to keep it plugged in, unless you get the solar option