Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Why do I want or need a boat lift?
A: Keeping a boat on a lift will prevent the need for bottom-painting the boat. Bottom painting reduces the value of your boat. You will save on storage fees, wrapping and winterizing fees, while having year-around availability to launch your boat. You will also be able to better protect your boat from storm damage, theft, and vandalism. Most people are surprised to find that installing a lift costs much less than they originally figured. In most cases, lifts pay for themselves within 5-years!
Q: What capacity boat lift should I buy?
A: Lifts are measured by capacity in pounds, rather than the length of the boat. Once you’ve calculated the fully-loaded wet weight of your boat, you can figure on a lift capacity that will safely handle your boat. You should consider what size boat you may be upgrading to over the next few years before purchasing your lift. If you’re not sure about the weight of your boat, please provide us the year, make, and model and we’ll usually be able to get the information. We can accommodate most any boat from a PWC to a 120,000# yacht!
Q: What is better, Aluminum Lifts or Galvanized Steel Lifts?
A: When aluminum lifts first emerged on the market, we all knew they were stronger and longer lasting than steel. The primary drawback was cost. The large structural shapes needed were hard to obtain. As structural aluminum became more common, the cost of aluminum lifts closely approached the price of galvanized. Today there is really no reason to purchase a galvanized lift.
Q: What features make an IMM cradle lift a better aluminum boat lift?
A: There are many, but we’ll only list a few:
1)The structural top beams on our Platinum and High-Speed series are a custom extruded channel with an integrated shoulder. Stronger top beam channels allow us to use fewer pilings under the lift, while eliminating beam deflection.
2)We offer the full spectrum of drive systems to best suit your needs. We feature Platinum Direct Drives, High-Speed Chain Drives, Plate drives, Super-Lift cycloidal drives and Aqua-Marine Systems E-Drives.
3)We include our Patented “wedge-Locks” on every lift. The wedge-lock allows for easy cable-adjustment.
4)Cable-Keepers are standard on every lift. Cable-keepers prevent cable fouling.
5)All cradle lifts have greaseless lower pulleys. The grease in pulleys tends to harden and plug up, causing pulleys to stop turning.
6)All cradle lifts include Stainless steel pile mount brackets, which are stronger than aluminum and do not oxidize when attached to treated pilings.
7)All our products have been certified by a Professional Engineer and are backed by product liability insurance.
Q: Will the cradles on an aluminum lift float?
A: If a lift is selected with wooden bunks we will send weights to insure that the cradles will not float. IMM Boatlifts' revolutionary Perma-Bunk 2000, aluminum bunks with white vinyl covers, prevent any cradle-floatation. The aluminum bunks and covers are guaranteed for 10-years. There are inferior aluminum bunks available, but they don’t incorporate an “internal I beam” structure, nor do they have white vinyl covers. Our Platinum and High-Speed series lifts include aluminum bunks.
Q: What are the advantages and disadvantages of “elevator” style lifts?
A: There are both advantages and disadvantages to elevator type lifts. The advantage is:
1)Outboard pilings are not required, allowing elevators to be used where outboard pilings are not permitted or in cases where there just isn’t room to access a traditional four post lift.
The disadvantage is:
1)The tracks stay in the water and need to be protected from electrolysis and ground voltage.
Q: I need an elevator lift for my application, why use an IMM elevator?
A: IMM is recognized as the industry leader in the manufacture of elevator boat lifts. The key to a good elevator lift design is the strength of the joint between the trolley and cradle arm. Please see the web page depicting our elevator lifts for details and pictures. Note how the joint is not only the strongest in the industry but it also allows you to bring your boat up closer to the dock than any other design.
Q: Are so-called, “beamless” boat lifts better than traditional “top-beam” lifts?
A: At first glance, the “beamless” boat lifts seem better because there is no “top beam” to be seen from the house. While this is true, there is a trade-off for that benefit. When winch-heads are attached to the sides of the pilings, they exert a side-load on the pilings. Pilings may tend to lean over, or even shift due to the side loading. Many of the beamless lifts have cables that wrap over one another, which foul frequently. Some have load-bearing, under-water cable tie-offs.
Conventional top beam lifts can be set in a “low-profile” configuration, which allows you to use covered top beam as a boarding platform, while avoiding the issues associated with beamless lifts. While we prefer conventional top beam lifts, we will build beamless lifts on request.
Q: Why don't more boat lift manufacturers utilize Stainless Steel Drive Shafts?
A: In the days before cable winders, the cable would wind directly on the drive shaft. The stainless cable eroded the galvanizing, and the shaft rusted. Cable winders eliminated this issue. The other reason we don't use stainless drive shafts, is, in a twisting situation, (which is how the shafts are used), the stainless is far too weak. Our structural engineers will not certify a boat lift using a stainless steel drive shaft. They sound good but they are not safe. IMM has always guaranteed its drive shafts (parts AND labor) for as long as you own the lift.
Q: What types of drive shaft bearings are best?
A: There are basically three types of drive bearings
1.Roller Bearings: they seem great, but don't hold up when bolted to an aluminum structure.
2.Metal to Metal: Some manufacturers use bronze, some use aluminum. In both cases, they require lubrication. We feel that a boat lift should free up your time, not waste it. Our price-point lifts utilize greasable bearings
3.Maintenance-free, engineered polymer bearings are a very high tech, self-lubricating material. IMM / Quality have used this material for many years, and have never had a bearing wear out. IMM warranties the bearings, (Parts and Labor) for as long as you own the lift. We use maintenance-free bearings on our Platinum and High-Speed lift lines.
Q: I noticed that IMM lifts were sold through dealers, why should I buy through a contractor?
A: Elevator and cradle lifts are fixed to pilings, docks and or seawalls. A licensed contractor will be able to handle all aspects of the lift installation, including setting pilings and or evaluating existing structures for lift suitability. There may be situations where a homeowner either has a contractor that he is more comfortable with, or can even handle his own installation. Please let us know if you are already working with a contractor. We always try to insure that our dealers are providing our customers with the highest level of service available. Please be sure to thoroughly check your contractors’ credentials and recent references before entering into a contract.
Q: I’ve seen cheaper lifts being made locally and others being sold over the internet, why pay more for an IMM lift?
A: In short, you get what you pay for. In order to undercut the market, some competitors are having their lifts manufactured in third world countries and shipped into the United States for distribution. Many smaller lift manufacturers are little more than garage shops, which may or may not be there if and when you need parts or service. IMM Lifts are certified by a Professional Engineer to exceed industry requirements. Our state-of-the- art factory produces lifts with features and technology unavailable anywhere else. We carry product liability insurance that protects your investment. We are the industries only U.L. approved electrical manufacturers. We have the people, knowledge, and commitment to meeting your needs, now and into the future.
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