Frequently Asked Questions

Boat owners know how difficult and complicated it is to lift a dinghy, tender onto their swim platform, foredeck or flybridge deck, and lifting a jet ski is even more challenging. The usual method is to use davits or a crane, both of which can be a tedious and time-consuming procedure, generally requiring two people. Lifting a reasonably sized tender or RIB in strong winds or turbulent waters presents additional challenges, even for experienced owners.

This is not the case with a PrestoMarine Lift. Using a unique and patented solution, it is now possible for just one person to launch or recover a tender, RIB or jet ski in less than two minutes.

The information in this page is intended to help you select the best Presto Marine lift system for your boat. The page is prepared as FAQs. These are the questions most frequently asked by boat owners contemplating the installation of a PrestoMarine lift.

If you have questions, not covered here, please:

  • Call Denis on 0418 923 103 (from within Australia) or on +61 418 923 103 (from outside Australia), or
  • Email me at: denis@denisglennon.com

  • 1. HOW DO I DETERMINE THE ‘WORKING’ WEIGHT OF MY TENDER?

    Ideally keep the overall length, including outboard, of your tender at least 0.5 metre shorter than the beam of your boat. This helps avoid mishaps when docking, especially if you reverse into a pen. When calculating the total or ‘working’ weight of the tender ensure you include the additional weight of the outboard motor, battery, lift jackets, anchor, fuel tank(s) when full and other gear you normally have in the tender when using it and will remain in the tender when you lift it onto the swim platform.

  • 2. GENERALLY LIFTS HAVE ADDITIONAL MAINTENANCE COSTS, DOES THIS APPLY TO THE PRESTOMARINE LIFT SYSTEM?

    PrestoMarine lifts have a very low maintenance cost because the entire lift system is installed above the water. Lifts and platforms that have hydraulic fittings and lifting arms permanently under water, especially in sea water around 25°C, attract barnacles and other undesirable growths. These need to be removed several times per season to avoid damage to seals, hoses, rams and other fittings. Normally this requires the use of a diver or hauling out the boat.

    None of these tasks or costs apply to a Presto Marine lift system.

  • 3. HOW DO I KNOW IF I HAVE SUFFICIENT SPACE ON MY BOAT TO INSTALL A PRESTOMARINE LIFT?

    If you don’t already have a swim platform/marlin board one can generally be installed directly to the stern, by a competent shipwright or boat builder.

    To install a PrestoMarine Fixed system lift on an existing platform you need a platform with at least a depth of 600mm (see Image 1 below). The optimum length of a Rail system is determined by the maximum depth of the platform.

    Also, the top of the platform must be less than 550 mm above the waterline (see Image 2 below).

     

    • Image 1: Depth of swim platform must be a minimum of 600mm for a fixed system.

    • Image 2: The top of the swim platform must be less than 550mm from the waterline.

  • 4. HOW DO I KNOW IF MY EXISTING PLATFORM IS STRONG ENOUGH TO CARRY A TENDER OR PWC?

    This is an important question, to which there is not an easy general answer. Ask your boat dealer or the boat builder if the existing platform can safely carry the combined weight of the lift and your tender. In my experience, you will rarely receive a definitive answer from either of them, especially for an older boat.

    A practical way to find out is to lift your boat onto a hardstand area and test the strength of the platform.

    Obtain the ‘working weight’ of your tender, add this to the weight of the lift (use 80 kgs) and carefully and gradually add ballast weights to the platform. Keep looking for any signs of flexing of the transom or the brackets supporting the platform. If either become apparent, stop adding ballast immediately. You will require stronger under-platform supports and/or strengthening of the transom. It is important you ensure the cantilevered force or moment on the stern/transom is acceptable.

    Strengthening of a transom by tying fiberglass, aluminum or stainless-steel gussets between it and an athwartships hull stringer is not a difficult or hugely expensive exercise. A competent boat builder or marine engineering shop can do it if required. Also, see answers to Q7 and Images 3 & 4 below.

    If your swim platform is an integral part of the boat’s structure, (i.e. no brackets supporting it underneath) the question of strengthening the transom may not arise but do check with the manufacturer of your boat.

    [As a precautionary measure only, Denis added stainless gussets to his Grand Banks 42 Classic. He would be happy to discuss the process with you].

    IMPORTANT INFORMATION

    Please ensure you read the answer to Question 5, ‘What Warranty Is Provided with PrestoMarine Lifts’.

    It is your responsibility, as the purchaser of the lift, to properly and safely cradle and secure whatever dinghy, tender, jet ski, or anything else placed on and/or lifted by the lift system. MA Products AB, Sweden, the manufacturer of PrestoMarine lifts shall not be responsible for any damage or injury to your boat, tender, jet ski or anything else placed on, and/or lifted by the lift system – see details of the One Year Warranty on pages 2 and 3 of: PrestoMarine Australia Order Form 2021.

  • 5. WHAT WARRANTY IS PROVIDED WITH PRESTOMARINE LIFTS?

    MA Products AB, Sweden, the manufacturer of Presto Marine lifts, warrants directly to the original purchaser of each lift system that the lift system shall be free of defects in material and workmanship for a period of one (1) year from the date of purchase.

    A copy of MA Products AB’s Warranty and Terms & Conditions of sale may be viewed on pages 2 & 3 at: PrestoMarine Australia Order Form 2021.

  • 6. DOES MY BOAT HAVE TO BE HAULED OUT OF THE WATER FOR INSTALLATION?

    Generally, but not always. It depends on the construction of the marlin board or swim platform.

    You may be able to secure the through swim platform retaining bolts whilst in the water, possibly with the assistance of a diver a diver. However, best practice is to haul out the boat and test the installation on the hardstand.

  • 7. CAN MY SWIM PLATFORM BE STRENGTHENED?

    Yes, you can have new, stronger brackets fitted between the transom and the swim platform. Your local marine engineering shop can fabricate suitable brackets.

    In Images 3 & 4 below, see the two new brackets Denis had fabricated and fitted to his Grand Banks 42.

    The two original outboard brackets (made from bronze tubing) were left in place, one of which can be seen in Image 4.

    The new brackets were designed to fit onto the original through-transom bolts. This minimized drilling new holes in the transom under the waterline and avoided any ‘retrofit’ appearance, (see Image 5 below).

    For a ‘belt & braces’ approach triangular brackets may be fitted between the inside of the transom and an athwartship stringer; see Image 6 below.

    • Image 3: Two stronger brackets fitted underneath the centre of the swim platform/marlin board - brackets are yet to be treated with Speedprop like the propeller - also see Image 5 below.

    • Image 4: New bracket viewed from port side. The original Grand Banks outboard bronze tubular bracket can be seen at the right hand side of the image.

  • 8. WILL THE ADDITIONAL WEIGHT ON THE STERN IMPACT MY BOAT’S PERFORMANCE?

    If a substantial weight is added to the transom of a boat, its trim and possibly its performance may be impacted. To minimize any negative impact, the lift and the tender should be positioned as far forward as possible, i.e. closest to the transom. The light weight of the Presto Marine lifts helps avoid your tender being affected by acceleration or deceleration wakes or by following seas.

  • 9. SHOULD I PURCHASE A LIFT WITH FIXED (F) BRACKETS OR THE RAIL (R) SYSTEM?

    If your platform is less than 900 cm deep, you should purchase a F series lift (F = fixed brackets). The tender will be positioned as close to the transom, as possible.

    With platforms exceeding 900 mm deep, you can choose either a F or a R series (R = rail system). The R system is primarily designed and fitted to move the weight of your tender or jet ski close to the transom, especially when under way.

    By allowing you to move the dinghy or jet ski closer to the transom, weight distribution remains more balanced, preserving the boat’s trim and stability. Consequently, you assist your boat maintain its performance and handling characteristics.

    Our Recommendation

    • Select the F series (F = Fixed brackets) if your swim platform is less than 900 mm (35 inches) deep
    • Select the R series (R=Rail System) if your swim platform is 900 mm (35 inches) deep or more.

  • 10. HOW MUCH WEIGHT DOES A PRESTOMARINE LIFT ADD TO MY BOAT?

    The L200 weighs 70 kgs.

    The XL500 lift weighs 80–90 kgs depending on whether you require a F or R system, the R system being the heavier of the two.

    The hydraulic pump and electronic controls package weighs approximately 15 kgs.

  • 11. WHAT IS THE COST OF DELIVERY OF A LIFT TO AUSTRALIA BY AIR?

    This depends on where your boat is located in Australia. Airfreight delivery by DHL, to a metropolitan address is approximately US$1,500.00 (AU$2,250.00).

    Delivery time from dispatch from factory in Sweden, is approximately ten (10) days by airfreight.

    To date we have had good service from DHL.

    A precise delivery cost will be provided during the preparation of each quotation.

  • 12. CAN A BOAT BUILDER OR LOCAL MARINE ENGINEERING WORKSHOP DO THE INSTALLATION?

    Yes, if they have, or can arrange, expertise in hydraulics, (not required for the L200 series), marine DC electrics, and installation of boating/marine equipment such as davits, cranes, etc. It will be an advantage if they have experience of working on or servicing the model of boat you own. The strengthening of existing brackets supporting an existing platform, or addition of new brackets (if required) in within the scope of most competent marine engineering workshops.

    The radio control unit for operation of the lift comes pre-programmed and is essentially ‘plug-and-play.’

    Denis had his XL500F lift installed by Pro Marine WA Pty Ltd, a local marine engineering shop which delivered a first-class installation, including the manufacture and fitting of the two stronger stainless-steel brackets underneath the marlin board (see Image 5 below) and the strengthening of the transom by fitting of two stainless steel gussets tying the transom to an athwartships stringer (see preparatory work in Image 6 below). Also see Images 3 & 4 in FAQ7.

    This strengthening of the transom was probably not required, but being a conservative owner, was done purely for peace of mind.

    • Image 5: Stronger Stainless Steel Brackets Fitted

    • Image 6: Preparatory stainless steelwork for strengthening of transom. A centre water tank has been removed temporarily.