Docking Revolutionized: The Helix-P Boat Lift by Sunstream

Sunstream® redefines boat lift technology with the world's fastest and sleekest piling boat lift - The Helix P

Sunstream^® Boat Lifts, the leading manufacturer of high-quality free-standing and free-floating boat lifts and the SwiftShield™ Automatic Boat Cover System, announced the company has completely reimagined what a cable boat lift should be.

The first in a new range of cable boat lifts, the Sunstream Helix line, the new Helix-P piling lift combines unprecedented hydraulic speed with an attractive hidden cable lift structure and a sleek, modular power supply. Helix delivers a refined aesthetic with easier boarding, increased reliability and safety, reduced noise and launching and lifting speeds as fast as 15 seconds.

“We are constantly innovating to give boaters the experience they want,” said Ken Hey, CEO of Sunstream Boat Lifts. "We didn’t approach the design of Helix-P to do a better version of what everyone else is doing, but to change the way you think about your boat lift and how it can enhance your boating experience, as well as how you show off your boat and your waterfront property. The Helix line and our first model to be released, the Helix-P, was designed with a minimalist aesthetic to showcase your trophies while making it easier and more enjoyable to use. Helix-P is an invitation to go boating more often and have more fun!”

The Helix-P lift features a robust marine-grade aluminum structure and stainless-steel hardware, ensuring both stiffness and resistance to corrosion. Its design excludes visible motors, electrical components, or gearboxes, enhancing the views due to low pilings and absent side beams.

Its innovative design allows for installation with just a five-inch gap between dock and boat, streamlining the loading and unloading process. The lift boasts lubricated stainless steel ball bearings that facilitate increased speed, quieter operation, and decreased friction.

Sunstream’s patented Superbunks™ with a rubber cap and aluminum base provide a gentle yet sturdy cushion for the boat’s hull. Safety is further ensured by non-slip striping on the frame, and for areas prone to storms, there are optional Storm Surge Inserts to elevate the boat by an additional 24 inches.

The Helix-P’s cradle locks when raised, eliminating wind-induced swaying, thus reducing cable wear and prolonging its lifespan. Its single-motor configuration also means less frequent need for re-leveling.

The unique Sunstream Power System™ (SPS) allows the combination of hydraulic DC powerpacks to boost power up to 24 HP, achieving speeds twelve times faster than typical piling lifts. The SPS includes a backup power source and maintenance-free sealed batteries. It offers versatility, as a single powerpack can serve multiple Sunstream lifts or SwiftShield Automatic Boat Cover Systems. Remarkably, Helix-P only requires a standard electrical connection, either 6A of 110V or 3A of 220V, avoiding the need for higher voltage installations or underwater cabling.

Adding to the user experience is the advanced control system of Helix-P, which can be operated via a proprietary mobile app. This feature ensures the lift is always accessible on a smartphone, offering the ultimate convenience. The lift smoothly accelerates and decelerates, with a double-click feature for preset stops, customizable to the dock’s specifications. The integrated encoder revolution counter in the motor replaces the need for external limit switches and allows for multiple stop points, providing superior control for the user.

Helix-P is available in four different sizes to accommodate boats weighing from 8,000 to 24,000 pounds, catering to a wide range of vessels.

For more information on the Sunstream Helix-P, Sunstream or its complete line of high-quality boat lifts and accessories, please call (253) 395-0500, or visit www.sunstreamboatlifts.com.

About Sunstream Corp:

Sunstream Corporation, based in Seattle Washington, is the leading portable hydraulic boat lift, hoist, and automatic boat cover system manufacturer in the world. Founded in 1996, Sunstream has been recognized multiple times for their innovation and fast growth. www.sunstreamboatlifts.com

Sunstream Helix-P: The Future of Seamless Boat Lifting

Sunstream® Sets Sail with the Helix-P: A Revolution in Boat Lift Technology

Dive into the future of boat lifts with Sunstream® Boat Lifts, the trailblazers behind the finest boat lifts and the renowned SwiftShield™ Automatic Boat Cover System. Today, they’re making waves with the Helix-P, a game-changer in the realm of cable boat lifts. This nautical marvel, the first in the Sunstream Helix line, seamlessly marries hydraulic speed with a sleek, hidden cable lift design and a state-of-the-art modular power supply. With the Helix, you’re not just lifting your boat; you’re elevating your entire waterfront experience.

(And don’t miss the video at the end of the article!)

Ken Hey, the captain at the helm of Sunstream Boat Lifts, shares,

“Our compass always points towards innovation. With the Helix-P, we're not just refining; we're redefining. We envisioned a boat lift that doesn't just serve a function but enhances your entire boating journey. The Helix-P isn't just a lift; it's a call to the open water, beckoning you to embrace the boating life more fully.”

Some Highlights:

Marine-Grade Mastery: Crafted with marine-grade aluminum and corrosion-resistant stainless-steel hardware, the Helix-P stands as a beacon of durability.
Sleek Aesthetics: With no visible motors or gearboxes and low-profile pilings, the Helix-P offers an unobstructed, picturesque view of your waterfront paradise.
Safety and Ease: Its unique design allows for closer proximity to the dock, ensuring smoother boarding. Plus, with Sunstream’s signature rubber-capped aluminum Superbunks™, your boat rests in cushioned luxury.
Power and Speed: The Sunstream Power SystemTM (SPS) is a force to be reckoned with, offering speeds that leave typical piling lifts in their wake. And with its advanced control system, including a proprietary mobile app, you have the helm’s power right in your pocket.

Designed for vessels weighing between 8,000 to 24,000 pounds, the Helix-P is more than just a boat lift. It’s a testament to Sunstream’s commitment to pioneering the future of boating.

Set your course to the future of boat lifts. Discover the Helix-P.

For more information on the Sunstream Helix-P, Sunstream or its complete line of high-quality boat lifts and accessories, please call (253) 395-0500, or visit www.sunstreamboatlifts.com.

About Sunstream Corp:

Better Boat Lifts

Do your homework on boat lifts. Raise your boat and your standards.

Water can sometimes be the worst place for a boat. When not in use, a boat bobbing at the dock is under attack from the forces of nature. It’s not just marine growth that’s a problem but also the wind and waves that batter the hull.

Here’s where boat lifts help you rise above it all, a Zen state over the liquid chaos. Boat lifts allow for easier cleanup and better security, protecting your investment and making arrival and departure simple.

“The most common misconception about boat lifts is that they are too expensive,” says Cale Grauer, business development manager for HydroHoist, headquartered in Claremore, Oklahoma. “With the boat being lifted out of the harsh elements, your maintenance costs on your boat will be minimal to nothing. It prevents marine growth from accumulating on the outdrive or prop, and the hull can be easily sprayed off and wiped down.”

Another common misconception is that boat lifts are hard to operate. HydroHoist features simple push-button controls for its boat lifts that take the confusion out of raising and
lowering your vessel. JetDock, based in Cleveland, Ohio, offers an easy solution: Simply run the boat up on a series of floating cells linked together. Measurements are taken and then customers purchase the proper number of cells to fit the size of their boat.

“JetDock is designed to be as simple as possible for easy use and long life,” says Shaun Hagerty, a JetDock sales representative, who notes the system can handle boats up to 50 feet and 44,000 pounds. “The JetDock system is made of high-density grade polymer.
We use an air compressor for larger boats, and the only maintenance is to hose off the dock.” If a JetDock float cracks or falls apart, the design makes it very easy to replace a module and be back in business. The floats won’t pollute or contaminate the water and don’t degrade from UV or marine exposure.

Owners of larger cruising vessels such as a Marlow Explorer 62E that weighs 39 tons or more when loaded also have options. Hi-Tide Boat Lifts offers many styles for boats weighing from 1,500 pounds to 90 tons. The Fort Pierce Florida-based manufacturer was founded in 1979 and builds all its electronics in house. “Our dealers are marine contractors that are trained and certified through our manufacturing facility,” says Carlos Quinones, president of Hi-Tide. “They understand what and how things need to be done, and any non-certified installation will result in a voided warranty.”

Hi-Tide’s yacht lifts can hold larger boats—40,000 pounds to 90 tons—and are made of an all-aluminum structure using 6061-T6 marine-grade aluminum. However, retrofitting an
existing Hi-Tide lift is not possible if you get a bigger boat.

“The structural members change in size as capacity grows,” explains Quinones. “It’s not just a bigger motor, cable and gear box—that’s a big misconception. If bunking and hull
configuration changes, the answer is to call your factory-certified, trained dealer to set it up for you and avoid the liability of attempting it yourself.”

Adaptability to the environment where the lift will be installed and used is critical to success. For example, HydroHoist’s HarborHoist boat lift series can be used in situations ranging from fixed pier to single-finger docks to floating dock styles and in both fresh and saltwater environments. The polyethylene tanks are precision-designed and custom-molded.

“They are a seamless, one-piece design constructed of high-impact polyethylene,” Grauer says. “They are designed so that the walkways in the lowered position are able to stay buoyant and provide a continuous walkway for easy access to your boat in the raised and lowered position. This tank design allows the lift to simply be tied off to a standard dock cleat or piling, or it can use a conventional mooring system.”

Marinas and repair yards also have needs for lifts to service customers’ boats. “We have manufactured lifts with custom configurations that range up to 80,000 pounds of capacity for service platform lifts,” Grauer says. “We typically use these larger lifts for marinas and shipyards to do maintenance on houseboats or large boats’ outdrive and fiberglass hull repairs beneath the water level.”

The cost of installing a boat lift varies, depending on the dock and surrounding areas. Although manufacturers would not provide general pricing guidelines, our research shows that small lifts cost as little as $2,000, while larger lifts for yachts can cost $60,000 or more.

However, the cost may be well worth it if the lift saves you money, time and worry—and allows you to stay in that state of Zen.

Resources: boatlift.com; hi-tide.com; jetdock.com

By Doug Thompson, Southern Boating October 2017