Boat lift questions?

[nola mike]

Been tossing around the idea of a free standing boat lift for a few years now. For a variety of reasons I don't want to build a full on pier. I want to sink 4 pilings off shore a ways and use them for the lift. I'd walk out to the lift/boat. I've seen a few direct to consumer companies on line, does anyone have experience with any of them?
I'd also probably prefer a manual lift (though I don't know exactly how much work it is to raise/lower a boat with one). Barring that, I'd love to use some solar powered DC motors and batteries. Could also use AC and inverters, but I think the DC would be better.
Anybody done this before? Going to talk with one of the 2 or 3 guys that does the piers in my area to see what he has available for lifts, but it doesn't look like too bad of a project to install these lift kits.

 

[Scott Danforth]

by the time you get a pile company lined up, permits, etc. not sure you would save that much by not driving enough pile to put a pier..

 

[Scott Danforth]

you could just get one of these type of boat lifts

not sure if they would work in your area. however its what is common on many smaller lakes. they even come with a solar panel, 12 volt powered hoist if you want it.

 

[nola mike]

Yeah Scott Danforth , that type of lift is exactly what I'm looking for. But my area is way too rough for that. The guy who I'd have doing the pilings is going to be doing a couple of piers in my area over the next few weeks, so he'll already have everything down there (that's the hardest part of this). Permitting is MUCH easier this way. By not having a pier, I only have to get permitting in MD, as opposed to MD, VA, and the potomac river commission. Same with electrical. I also save my beach (I only have 50' of waterfront). Cost for a basic pier is around $25-30, not including the lift. I can get the pilings for about $2k. Lastly, the pier is uninsurable....
I actually was looking at a lift from the above site

 

[Scott Danforth]

Rope walk from the pile to shore? Indiana Jones it.....

 

[nola mike]

More like this if I can get the buy in from my wife (seriously)