Considering a V or DD and concerned about shallow dock

[FombyJambox]

Hello all,

I'm planning to buy a used boat in the coming months and I'm really only interested in a V or DD ski/wakeboard boat. My major concern is that the dock where I'd be storing the boat is rather shallow and I can't seem to get a good feel for what's too shallow. It's sandy for the most part with some squishy/muddy spots here and there. My only concern is from the lift out to about 50/75 feet or so with the water being anywhere between 20" - 28" deep at the lift. Once I'm out a handful of boat lengths it's plenty deep to slowly motor out to deeper water.

I know that pushing the thing in and out by hand every single time is going to get really old, really fast. It's one thing if I have to do it on lower level days but I don't want that to be part of the ritual every single time out. Right now a little 18ft Tahoe I/O gets in and out pf this lift with some minimal outdrive drag (if it's still down all the way) right as the boat noses into the lift. This leads me to believe that I'd be fine with physical clearance so my main concern is sucking crud into the cooling system on an inboard. I really like the Malibus and have seen a number of great looking boats in my price range so I thought I'd go ahead and toss it out here and see what the experts thoughts are on the issue. Thanks in advance, I love this place and have lurked for quite some time. Great resource!

[caw32073]

Hello all,

I'm planning to buy a used boat in the coming months and I'm really only interested in a V or DD ski/wakeboard boat. My major concern is that the dock where I'd be storing the boat is rather shallow and I can't seem to get a good feel for what's too shallow. It's sandy for the most part with some squishy/muddy spots here and there. My only concern is from the lift out to about 50/75 feet or so with the water being anywhere between 20" - 28" deep at the lift. Once I'm out a handful of boat lengths it's plenty deep to slowly motor out to deeper water.

I know that pushing the thing in and out by hand every single time is going to get really old, really fast. It's one thing if I have to do it on lower level days but I don't want that to be part of the ritual every single time out. Right now a little 18ft Tahoe I/O gets in and out pf this lift with some minimal outdrive drag (if it's still down all the way) right as the boat noses into the lift. This leads me to believe that I'd be fine with physical clearance so my main concern is sucking crud into the cooling system on an inboard. I really like the Malibus and have seen a number of great looking boats in my price range so I thought I'd go ahead and toss it out here and see what the experts thoughts are on the issue. Thanks in advance, I love this place and have lurked for quite some time. Great resource!

IMO 20" to 28" is cutting it too close. My Sporty has an 18" draft and I would not test it. Props are too expensive.

[Glen Lake Malibu]

My Sunscape 2008 lsv sits on a lift that is in 33 inches of water. The draft is 24 inches, but you must allow for the lift brace.Flotes on and off the life with no problem. My dock goes out 300 feet!!. I like the convience of the boat being right there at the end of the dock verses wadeing it out to deeper water. Check the draft of the boat, then just add the lift bar height. your good to go.