Leaving a jet ski in the water is a common storage method, but it poses significant maintenance challenges, including hull staining from algae and other marine growth, as well as potential damage to the intake. While trailering the craft home eliminates these risks, it is time-consuming and often requires waiting at boat ramps. Dedicated jet ski dock solutions provide an effective alternative, protecting the craft while offering convenient access. The three primary options include:
- Drive-on floating docks
- Mechanical PWC lifts
- Shore-mounted roller ramps
These systems vary significantly in cost, installation requirements, and maintenance needs. The following comparison outlines the differences to help you choose the best option for your needs.
Drive-on floating docks
A floating dock is a buoyant platform that sits in the water. It is usually made of strong polyethylene and rests alongside your existing dock. All you need to do is ride up onto the dock with your jet ski using a steady throttle, and then step off once the hull is clear of the water.
The appeal is strong: it looks tidy, it's fast, and because the dock floats, it rises and falls with the water level, making it a great option for coastal lakes and reservoirs that are tidally influenced.
The downside, of course, is the costs and logistics. You'll pay anywhere from $1,500 to $2,700 per dock for a quality one, and if you want to manage heavier freight, you'll need to pay even more than that. Most designs assume you have some sort of seawall or anchor to tie them to. So, in many cases, you need to have a pre-existing structure to make this type of dock viable.
Finally, when loading, you need a committed approach. The jet ski must have sufficient speed to be able to roll up onto the dock, but not so much that it will blow straight over it.
PWC Lifts
Another option is PWC lifts. These traditional options use a cantilever or vertical frame to winch jet skis onto a platform. Most are made of lightweight aluminum, but they must be attached to the lake bed or a pier to work properly.
Some versions are manual, but many now have an electric motor that automatically cranks the ski out of the water. The appeal is that the lift keeps the hull completely clear of water, reducing the risk of salt or brackish conditions causing damage. Sometimes it's also the only workable option, especially on fixed piers over deep water.
The downside is that it is even more expensive than a drive-on floating dock. Most systems run between $2,500 and $5,000, and you'll probably need a professional to install yours if you go ahead and buy one. Furthermore, there's also the cost of setting the legs into the lake bed, which contractors can charge between $1,000 and $2,000 for.
There are further problems as well. Even once a PWC lift is in place, water level changes can render it unusable. It may be awkward to get your jet ski into the water, or the lift may not function at all if there's inundation.
Roller ramps
The last option is to use roller ramps. These are the opposite of both previous approaches. Rather than building structures out over the water, you run a track of rollers from the shoreline down to the shallows. You ride the ski onto the rollers, winch it up the track, and then it comes to rest on land, where it's completely out of the water. At ShoreDocker, we build two versions of this: The Classic PWC/Jet Ski Ramp System, which is $399.99 with a 1,200-lb capacity, and the Roll-N-Go Premium PWC/Jet Ski Ramp System, which is $999 and arrives as a complete aluminum system.
The Classic PWC Jet Ski Ramp System includes all the hardware, instructions, and rollers you need to set it up, with a pressure-treated lumber frame. The Roll-N-Go Premium PWC has an 11-foot track kit, a 1,100-lb winch, a 25-foot strap, polyurethane rollers, and a keel roller rated to 1,000 lbs. You can adjust its width to fit larger skis, and there are optional 8-foot and 30-inch extensions to accommodate different craft shapes. The system fits various brands, including Karasaki, Honda, and Sea-Doo.
Ultimately, roller ramps are the cheapest option by a significant margin and can be shipped to your door. With these systems, water level is irrelevant because the ski ultimately ends up on dry land. This also makes maintenance, refueling, and other operations much simpler. You can easily transport your ski directly to a workshop or a covered area and winterize it quickly once the winter months roll around.
There is, of course, a slight catch here, though. You need a shoreline that you can actually use. If your property backs straight onto a seawall that drops into deep water, a ramp isn't the right tool; in most other locations, it is.
Which should you choose?
Ultimately, a roller-ramp-style jet ski dock will serve most jet ski owners best. This is because most owners have a beach or gently shelving shoreline they can access.
Are you ready to get your ski out of the water more effectively and efficiently? If so, browse the full jet ski and PWC range, or call the team on (866) 876-5548.