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To keep your hull clean. Algae growth on the gelcoat of your hull not only looks unsightly but can permanently stain the boat reducing it’s resale value. Also, algae growth can easily reduce your top speed by 10 mph and it will greatly reduce your gas mileage.

A boat lift will greatly increase the pleasure, pride, and resale value of your boating investment.

UV RESISTANCE

The following test was conducted to compare the Air-Dock material (X-DOCK made from Dupont Elvaloy?) to a sample of Hypalon. Elvaloy and Hypalon are both used on higher grade inflatable boats. Elvaloy has also been used on inflatable oil spill booms, membrane building roofs, chemical tanks covers, and pond liners for over twenty years and on inflatable boats for about five years. Hypalon has been used on inflatable boats for over twenty years because of it’s durability and resistance to UV sunlight. Some of those original Hypolon boats are still in use. The following test shows how the Elvaloy (Air-Dock) material holds up to sunlight compared to Hypalon. Another material commonly used on less expensive inflatable boats is vinyl (known as PVC or polyvinylchloride). These boats do not hold up well in the sunlight because vinyl has oil-based plasticizers which migrate out of the material after prolonged exposure to UV sunlight leaving the material dry and brittle.

-In most applications, Air-Dock boat lifts can be installed without getting into the water. This is especially nice in the northern climates where boat lifts often need to be installed and removed each winter.
-No permanent connections to the dock are required. The Air-Dock is usually held in place with lines tied to the dock (or to pilings) at the four corners. If there is no dock or piling on one or more of the corners, the lines can be tied to anchors, auger poles, or to PVC frame kits (see below).
-Air-Dock boat lifts are so portable you can take them with you if you move your boat to another location.

CLEANING

The only maintenance that the Air-Dock requires is cleaning at the end of the season if the Air-Dock is removed from the water. Algae grows on the Air-Dock but does not stick to it like it sticks to your boat. Some algae may grow on the top surface while the boat is off of the Air-Dock however, this algae does not transfer onto the boat hull. The Air-Dock can be cleaned with a brush and a mild soap. The Air-Dock can also be cleaned with a pressure sprayer such as those found at a self-serve car wash.

STORAGE

Simply remove the Air-Dock from the water and disconnect the three air hoses. The air chambers can be separated if necessary for easier transporting. After cleaning and drying, simply roll the Air-Dock and store it in a clean dry place such as a garage or even inside your boat. Do not “double fold” (such as folding a flag or a blanket) for long periods of time

TIP: For easier removal, separate the air chambers and inflate each one fully before removing from the water. Then allow to deflate or remove the air more quickly with a vacuum cleaner.

REPAIRING

Small cuts in the Air-Dock can be easily repaired by gluing on a patch. Repair kits are available from Air-Dock. If a major repair is necessary on one of the air chambers, it can be separated from the others and sent back to the Air-Dock factory for repair.

For mor information about Airdock go to bootlift site.