Once again, this blog entry was a result of my answering a FB Group question about which jet ski storage option is better. So with that... Here was my answer.
You know what the best bottle of wine in the world is? The cheapest bottle you love to drink.
The point I am making; it all comes down to money.
If money isn’t an option, you should hire a jet ski butler that would have your skis floating in the water, engine on and a well packed cooler just waiting at your luxury dock with waterline access. When you return, the same ski butler would greet you at the dock, assist you off the ski; wash down, maintain and secure your ski for the next outing.
Yes, a ski butler is ridiculous! But the point I am making... It is all about the money and your time.
IMHO, keeping skis on a trailer parked in your garage has a distinct and valuable list of positives. But what a pain in the “arse” with the inconvenience of it all.
The ugly truth: Jet skis are a target for theft. Some think a traditional boat lift configured for skis significantly reduces theft risk; BUT so can a quality security cable and a good lock. Not to forget, newer skis do have electronic ignition security that prevents them from use. Lifts, cables, security ignitions are all great security considerations. But let us face it; nothing will stop a determined thief!
And that is why we have insurance available to us.
How much do you want to spend on a ski storage solution that can deter determined thieves? A good insurance policy is a serious consideration over more expensive or elaborate storage solutions.
If you have experience with water-toys-based trailers... Boy, what a pain in the “arse;” from beginning to end a trailered solution is or will become tedious.
For those that live by the water toy, convenience is the sole reason why we live on the water and invest in a water-toy storage solution. When dealing with “convenience;” both solutions (lift and floating dock) have positives and negatives.
However, there is a significant difference in cost. If money wasn’t option, we’d hire that ski butler. So, “cost” is always a consideration.
IMHO, lift owners and floating dock proponents are like the Hatfield’s and McCoy’s. In the DNA of any lift vs. floating dock argument, a boat owner who despises skis will always be a proponent of a lift over a floating dock. In contrast, a ski owner most likely didn’t have the money for a boat, would always advocate for the least expensive storage option; the floating dock.
Someone that posted their answer to the question on FB referred to saltwater corrosion. Until we have 100% plastic-based watercraft there is always going to be corrosion. Saltwater corrosion will occur on all metal whether using a lift or a floating dock.
I giggled a little when I read someone’s comment that stated keeping your water toy as far away from corrosive salt water as possible. If that is answer has any credence, my recommendation would be to sell your house on the canal and by a lake house and only use your water toy in fresh water. Even using in fresh water, rust will occur. Saltwater corrosion is a fact of life with using water toys in saltwater. To say that a storage solution prevents (or impedes) saltwater corrosion is laughable.
Marine growth however is a consideration; or is it. I am talking about the dreaded barnacle. A lift will minimize the potential for barnacle growth; but a properly sized floating dock is equally effective as a lift. The key is to ensure a properly sized floating dock. Every inch of the ski must be out of or not touching any saltwater; especially at the back of the ski. To say that a lift is better than a floating dock in preventing marine growth is laughable.
Last, there are some additional considerations to think about.
Lifts are much more durable than floating docks; but lifts have a lot of moving pieces, parts and components that can and will fail over time. After all, lifts do sit in saltwater and are exposed to the same harsh environments 24/7. Floating docks are typically made of plastics or other composites and are designed to resist all the effects of saltwater corrosion. However, they are susceptible to marine growth everywhere the dock is in constant contact with saltwater. However, routine maintenance can address marine growth. Last, a lift’s aluminum structure is considerably more durable than plastic or composites.
Then there is weather; and severe weather events.
Let me be direct; your house is not wind proof nor storm-surge proof. To think a lift is better than a floating dock in a severe weather event is also laughable. Both a lift and floating dock are equally susceptible to damage. The real weather or sever weather consideration is luck; along with the cost to repair or replace your storage solution. And, if you lose power for any reason the lift won’t work.
Last, really think about this...
If you don’t have a boat and are buying skis, why not the floating dock?
And, if some time in the future you want to buy a boat, investing in a lift now would serve nicely when you decide to buy a boat.
But... After buying your boat and you still have the skis, you will most likely spring for a floating dock. And, if that is truly the case, why not get the floating dock to go with your skis.
I have had and used both a lift and a floating dock and have the experience and perspective of using both. In my humble opinion; when it comes to a lift or a floating dock.
It all about the money...
Otherwise I would tell you to get a jet ski butler.
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