Boats For Sale:
Air Dock |
Post Reply 
|
| Author | |
azeus17 
Gold Member 
Joined: August-19-2007 Location: Grand Rapids, M Status: Offline Points: 576 |
 Post Options
 Thanks(0)
 Quote Reply
 Topic: Air DockPosted: May-29-2009 at 11:16am |
|
Does anyone have any experiance, good or bad, with this product?
Now, before I get all the "not my CC" responces, let me explain a little. We recently moved into a complex build around a lagon on the St. Johns. The boat slips are all around the lagon, but they will not allow a traditional lift (water is too deep anyway). Actually, not sure they will allow this, but it is my best shot. Here is a pic of the place. 
Anyway, what is the point of living on the water if you can't have the boat in the water? Any ideas would be appreciated. I looked at other floating systems, but they are way out of reach. The airdock new is $2700. A jet dock, for instance, is $13K. We do not own this place, so no garantee how long we will be there, but that is another advantage of the air dock, you can easily take it with you. I know it is not ideal, but I am leaning this direction unless you guys point something out I have not thought of. Thanks Adam |
|
|
Boats:
Current: 02 SANTE Sold: 89 Sport Nautique |
|
 |
|
|
pwningjr
Groupie 
Joined: December-07-2007 Location: IA Status: Offline Points: 36 |
Post Options
Thanks(0)
Quote Reply
Posted: May-29-2009 at 8:10pm |
|
It looks like it would work, but I would take a good look at where the running gear would be.
|
|
|
Jay
"Proud to be a geek" Big Heavy (stephan): One can't always be perfect when water dancing on your shred stick. |
|
|
|
|
azeus17
Gold Member
Joined: August-19-2007 Location: Grand Rapids, M Status: Offline Points: 576 |
Post Options
Thanks(0)
Quote Reply
Posted: June-01-2009 at 10:30am |
|
On their website they have another picture of where the running gear ends up. Basically, about where the strut is where the bag ends. The sales guy said the bottom half of the prop might still hang in the water, but that is a heck of a lot better than the whole boat. They claim there is only .5 psi pressure in the bladder, so it should not harm anything.
|
|
|
Boats:
Current: 02 SANTE Sold: 89 Sport Nautique |
|
|
|
|
k.o.
Senior Member 
Joined: January-11-2008 Location: Aruba Status: Offline Points: 363 |
Post Options
Thanks(0)
Quote Reply
Posted: June-01-2009 at 11:15pm |
|
maybe stupid question but how do you get it on or of the air dock without blocking water from the raw water pump?
|
|
|
|
|
harddock
Platinum Member
Joined: June-04-2008 Location: Toontown, MA Status: Offline Points: 1763 |
Post Options
Thanks(0)
Quote Reply
Posted: June-01-2009 at 11:23pm |
|
and skegs?
and now no longer a groupie Yay me!!! |
|
|
|
|
azeus17
Gold Member
Joined: August-19-2007 Location: Grand Rapids, M Status: Offline Points: 576 |
Post Options
Thanks(0)
Quote Reply
Posted: June-02-2009 at 4:17pm |
|
When you deflate the airdock, it basically sinks to the bottom therefore allowing the boat to float. They use a frame system to keep the inflatabel bladders in the correct orientation while deflated. Pull in and out the same way you would on any lift. Don't start it while it is in the air, shut it off before you lift it.
For the skegs, they use a thick rubber matt that lays over the airdock. This protects the airdock from getting puncured by the skegs. The matt also helps sink the center of the airdock so it is out of the way pulling in and backing off. Have not got it yet, but lined up a few used units that I am going for. I will let you all know how it works if I get it. One of the guys that was selling had already sold his, but he highly recomended it. |
|
|
Boats:
Current: 02 SANTE Sold: 89 Sport Nautique |
|
|
|
|
DrCC
Grand Poobah 
Joined: April-12-2004 Location: at home Status: Offline Points: 2867 |
Post Options
Thanks(0)
Quote Reply
Posted: June-02-2009 at 11:04pm |
|
A friend of mine has one under his 2002 Ski Nautique. An '86 sat on before that. They love it,
They're great for shallow water also. AT |
|
|
|
|
harddock
Platinum Member
Joined: June-04-2008 Location: Toontown, MA Status: Offline Points: 1763 |
Post Options
Thanks(0)
Quote Reply
Posted: June-02-2009 at 11:16pm |
|
So, electricity is needed or is there a 12v system offered?
|
|
|
|
|
yellowfly
Newbie 
Joined: June-03-2009 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 2 |
Post Options
Thanks(0)
Quote Reply
Posted: June-03-2009 at 1:45am |
|
You may want to check this lift out as well.
I have always worried about getting the running gear wrapped up in the air dock. I am going to take a look at this lift at a show in Indiana in late August. www.launchpadlift.com |
|
|
|
|
azeus17
Gold Member
Joined: August-19-2007 Location: Grand Rapids, M Status: Offline Points: 576 |
Post Options
Thanks(0)
Quote Reply
Posted: June-03-2009 at 10:55am |
|
You can run it off the boat battery as well with an inverter. They offer that as an option. They are basically using a shop vac motor to inflate I think.
yellowfly- Thanks for the tip, I will check it out. |
|
|
Boats:
Current: 02 SANTE Sold: 89 Sport Nautique |
|
|
|
|
azeus17
Gold Member
Joined: August-19-2007 Location: Grand Rapids, M Status: Offline Points: 576 |
Post Options
Thanks(0)
Quote Reply
Posted: June-03-2009 at 11:03am |
|
The Launch Pad looks like a good idea, but it will not work for me. I can not have anything sticking up above the water like those tanks do.
|
|
|
Boats:
Current: 02 SANTE Sold: 89 Sport Nautique |
|
|
|
|
yellowfly
Newbie
Joined: June-03-2009 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 2 |
Post Options
Thanks(0)
Quote Reply
Posted: June-03-2009 at 3:14pm |
|
Are you not allowed to have anything above the waterline for aesthetics?
Good luck with your decision! |
|
|
|
|
azeus17
Gold Member
Joined: August-19-2007 Location: Grand Rapids, M Status: Offline Points: 576 |
Post Options
Thanks(0)
Quote Reply
Posted: June-28-2009 at 9:53pm |
|
Just to follow up, I ended up purchasing an Airdock used from a guy in NC. Shipped, it was $550. After getting it all put together (was kind of a PITA, but I imagine most lifts are) it works pretty good. Inflates in about 5 min. deflates in about 6-7 min.
Here are some pics of the Sport sitting on it. 
|
|
|
Boats:
Current: 02 SANTE Sold: 89 Sport Nautique |
|
|
|
|
SNobsessed
Grand Poobah
Joined: October-21-2007 Location: IA Status: Offline Points: 7102 |
Post Options
Thanks(0)
Quote Reply
Posted: June-29-2009 at 12:30am |
|
Looks like it would be a heck of a swimming raft too!
|
|
|
“Beer is proof that God loves us and wants us to be happy.”
Ben Franklin |
|
|
|
|
Post Reply
|
|
Tweet
|
| Forum Jump | Forum Permissions You cannot post new topics in this forum You cannot reply to topics in this forum You cannot delete your posts in this forum You cannot edit your posts in this forum You cannot create polls in this forum You cannot vote in polls in this forum |
Topic Options