8 Simple Ways to Store a Jet Ski on Boat Swim Platform [Video]
A jet ski can be a great addition to your yacht or houseboat especially if you have a family. Children love riding skis and tubing or even wakeboarding behind it!To some extent, it could even be an alternative to a dinghy.
It can be used to move quickly around the water without needing big spaces at docks. The marina also becomes quite reachable through riding a jet ski and it is all just much more fun than using a traditional dinghy.
Your boat and your jet ski
Once you decide to get a jet ski, there are many factors you need to consider before actually buying one.Perhaps the greatest concern for you should be the storage of the watercraft on your boat.
The starting point is always the weight of the jet ski. Many people do store RIBS (dinghies) on their platforms. Yet, it should be kept in mind that these usually are lighter than a jet ski, which makes them easy to store on even a smaller boat.
On the other hand, a jet ski is a much larger watercraft and requires a bigger boat to be able to fit into. This is especially true for bigger powerful jet skis that weigh as much as 1000+ pounds. Usually, these can only fit into the bigger boats, houseboats and yachts.
Moreover, the jet ski swim platform mount is also an additional weight that the boat has to carry which is what makes this a greater deal.
While the static load on the platform might not seem like much, it can cause trouble when you’re boating on the waves. All the active forces that are in play when you cruise with that much of a load should always be kept in mind.
Crossing a big wake with a heavy jet ski on your platform could cause significant damage. Maybe not the first time, but it could happen – so be careful especially if you cruise on the sea.
After all, precaution is always better than cure!
Selecting a model
Once you have paid attention to the need for weight limits on your boat, you can move on to selecting which model of jet ski to purchase.You will first have to see how big your boat is. Obviously, if you have a bigger yacht with plenty of platform space and weight capacity, you should not have a problem picking a model.
On the other hand, if there is an issue of space and a weight limit, you can check out the Rec-Lite category. You can further proceed to check our jet ski weight comparison to better help you decide which watercraft model will be the best for you.
The lightest models in the list can weigh as light as 400 pounds and they are easy-to-handle jet skis. These models are designed to provide lots of fun while also being easy to manage on the water.
Moreover, they are extremely fuel efficient and does not need refilling very often.
Another light-weight option for you is a stand up jet ski. These models have small hulls and weighs only about 300-500 pounds.
Some of these jet skis arrive with two-stroke engines that can be a little louder than four-stroke engines.
While the stand-up models are light in weight and easier to store, they are not very easy to ride.
These types of jet skis require a great deal of practice and skill. Moreover, they can only be ridden by one person at a time which makes them not so family friendly even.
On the other hand, if you want a family watercraft yet also face storage issues, you can look for second-hand models. These old, used sit down jet skis can be a great bargain. (if you can manage their maintenance, as don’t forget, many service shops refuse to work on PWCs over 10 years old!)
Older models used to be lighter in weight and smaller in size what makes this a great choice for your boat.
Jet ski storage on boat swim platforms
You might have seen some captains towing their jet ski behind their boat.No matter what, it’s not a safe or stylish way of storage. What’s more, is that it makes mooring more difficult.So it’s wise to find a better way to store your watercraft.
When thinking about the weight limit on your boat, you should also always consider the weight of the jet ski lifts. These tools and equipment are necessary to enable you to load and unload the jet ski from your boat. You can’t take your jet ski anywhere without them.
There are quite a few different options available for jet ski storage facilities, don’t hesitate to discover the best 8 solutions!
PWC Rails Cross-Deck Storage Options
Cross-Deck Storage Options from PWC Rails mainly come in two models; the Under-Mount and the Top-Mount.
For jet skis that weigh up to 700 pounds, the Under-Mount model might be the best option. This is because it comes with a system that allows its support mechanism and cradle arms to be completely rotated out of the way. Therefore, there is more open space left on the platform for you to move around.
On the other hand, for much bigger jet skis, a Top Mount might be suitable.
The modern watercraft vehicles that weigh more than a thousand pounds and can accommodate up to 3 people are what this mount is made for. It has weaver brackets that are permanently attached to an edge of your deck, providing the necessary support.
Both of these mounts are heavy duty and the brackets, bolts and nuts are all stainless steel.
It is a one person job to load/unload a lighter watercraft using these mounts. For a bigger one, however, you may need extra mechanical power that can be sourced from a 12 V winch.
Both these models are light in weight and easy to install. It means they can be mounted without removing your boat from the water.
PWC Rails Tilt-up jet ski rails
Designed for aluminum houseboats, pontoon boats, docks and marina piers, the PWC Tilt-up rails are a good option as well.
These come with an auto-leveling ramp which is also drive-on. These ramps are mounted on a steep angle on the rear deck taking up a great deal of space.
This space could otherwise be used for fishing, swimming or other activities on the platform.
On the other hand, these rails are easy to install and are adjustable to any preferred angle. This enables your jet ski to always be prepared; away from the water but just one button away from launching in it.
Unlike the factory installed ones, PWC Rails are not fixed to your deck and can be tilted out of the way whenever not in use.
Presto Marine Lifts
Presto Marine Lifts are very high in quality and are convenient to use.
However, the main concern surrounding their use is the additional weight they bring to your boat. Depending on the weight of your watercraft, their weight can go up to 220 pounds which is a great addition to the total weight on the boat.
This creates a dire need for you to calculate each and every pound from the jet ski, its accessories and the lifts every time.
On the other hand, a presto marine lift is very convenient to use. If you’re a sole captain, you could use this convenience to your advantage.
A jet ski can be put into the water using a presto marine lift in under 60 seconds. This sort of time-saving is an impressive trait to have as compared to a crane’s time of 15-20 minutes.
Presto Marine lifts are available in 3 models:
The L200 is the lift designed for the smallest jet skis and dinghies. These can take up a weight of up to 440 pounds; best suited for the lightweight Rec-Lite or Stand up jet skis.The XL500 is an innovative solution that is used to effortlessly launch a bigger watercraft into the water. It can take the weight of up to 1100 pounds which makes it compatible with any jet ski model.
The strongest lift is the XXL1000 which was specially designed for customers that were looking to be able to carry a huge jet ski or dinghy and lift it around with ease. This big boy just leaves no room for error. It can be used on the pier, on houseboats and yachts to lift watercrafts of all shapes and sizes.
Hurley H3O Davit Jet Ski Extension
This is like a mini platform itself! Hurley H3O Davit Jet Ski Extensions come in two models with a weight limit of around 400 pounds.
This makes them compatible with only the smaller Rec-Lite or Stand up PWCs. These provide an extension of the tenders of up to six and a half inches.
On the other hand, the H3O+ PLUS Davit Jet Ski Extension has a weight limit of 725 pounds which makes it work with the larger models as well. The extension provided to the tenders keel overboard is up to 9 inches which makes a great deal difference.
Freedom Lift
The Freedom Lift is a piece of equipment that is specifically built for your boat and guarantees a perfect fit.
The lift is manufactured from the highest quality materials. These include strong yet lightweight marine-grade alloy, stainless steel and a premium hydraulic power unit that has 4 valves. This unit uses environmentally friendly fluid and is controlled by wireless remote controls.
The Freedom Lift can be installed at your local marina and comes with removable lift arms.
These weigh around 25 pounds each and are fully adjustable. Moreover, there are additional bunks that can accommodate any sort of watercraft that you wish to lift.
Most importantly, a Freedom Lift has a 44-inch vertical lifting range which ranks as the best in the market. It has the capacity to carry more than 800 pounds and can be handled quite easily by a single person.
The launch time on the lift is as low as 15 seconds and the whole thing is fully remote controlled.
Sea Lift Pop-Up Chocks
Sea Lift is an expert in designing and manufacturing swim platforms that allow you convenient storage of your watercraft without compromising on the platform space.
The swim platform can be extended to the back of a boat and then lowered into the water making more space for you to have fun around. The “up” position of the platform is for stowing your jet ski or dinghy and the “down” position is for the extra space.
The pop-up chocks designed by Sea Lift are fully equipped to fulfill all of your needs.
They are custom made for the size, weight, and texture of the watercraft you want to store and they automatically conform to it. They are then fully retracted inside fiberglass pockets. This allows you and your family to have plenty of space on the platform to enjoy your boat ride.
The staff over at Sea Lift is extremely accommodating and they make sure they deliver to all you ask for.
They sit with you and then design a product that is a hundred percent suited to your special needs. Moreover, they ship their product all over the world.
Jet Ski lifting slings
If you have a bigger boat or yacht, you simply have a greater number of choices available for your jet ski storage.
Bigger yachts are most often equipped with cranes with slings. These cranes, however, require more manpower to handle and they are also much more expensive than other storage options.
Moreover, you will also need an extra bracket with your pre-installed crane to attach the slings. You also need to make sure that the lifting slings you choose have the carrying weight capacity of the jet ski you want to lift.
Perhaps one of the best sling in the market is the PWC Harness Kit by SuperYacht Marine Store.
These are the safest and the easiest to use lifting slings because they have a single-point attachment. Moreover, their 4-point lift allows for a much safer grip of the watercraft of up to 1500 pounds.
They have certified stainless fittings and can be installed following a set of simple instructions.
Dinghy Garages
One of the greatest advantages of a bigger boat is perhaps the existence of an on-platform garage.
These garages are becoming more and more common as they provide a safer haven for your watercraft.
They don’t take up any of the space of the platform and they do not require any technical equipment. They are built into the yacht and usually attached to the swim platform.
These garages are a great way to store your jet ski with all of its accessories and equipment.
It can protect them from natural elements as well. Side garages and drive-in tender bays are more common in bigger luxury yachts which offer a huge space for the storage of your jet ski or dinghy.
Summary
Having a jet ski on your boat can be a great idea as long as you pay attention to all the factors that surround the whole experience.From the jet ski storage to the loading and unloading; if anything goes wrong, it can cause you a great deal of trouble and even money.
This is why it is very important to do your research thoroughly and choose the best storage method and lifting method for your jet ski. The weight of the entire equipment is something that should never be ignored.
Be especially vary of the weight limit of your boat depending on its size. The model of the jet ski, the extent of additional accessories and the equipment that is needed will depend on it.
In case there is a miscalculation, you could face a potentially dangerous situation while you’re cruising on the waves.
You can use our jet ski comparison tool to compare each watercrafts, discover all weights of different models and make an informed choice.
From the Re-Lite to the Performance categories; jet skis are available in all weights and sizes depending on the capacity in your boat.
Moreover, your family needs should also be kept in mind before making the decision of a jet ski storage method. If you will have your family on the boat most of the time, you will need more platform space for activities. (There are many other way to store your watercraft.)
This can greatly change the outcome of your storage method decision.
Pay close attention to every little detail before making a big decision and always boat safely!