We are in the process of building a dock and looking for some advice, experiences good or bad, with the safe haven retreat 2. While riding up the Wando the other day I saw quite a few on the water. We have a 21’ bay boat and wondering if we need the solar assist which drops the rear of the float. I was leaning towards not getting the assist, but heard there was a lot of maintenance with silicone, etc. when you don’t have it. Any advice would be greatly appreciated in helping make this decision! Thanks
there is very little draw back to the air assist- they work great as long as it doesn’t hit bottom at low tide, I have installed many of them. they are much easier to use than the non air assist.
Have you selected your dock builder yet?
I have the retreat 2. Great jet dock but hard to get my boat off. I have an 18-foot Hewes Bonefisher on mine. Because of the boat design the motor (115 HP) is a short shaft. When I go to back the boat back off I cannot get enough “traction” with the short shaft, cavatation plate is out the water. I have tried silicone spray as well as soap but neither will make it slick enough to just back off. Goes on great but I have had to rig an electric winch to pull my boat off the dock. I would think with a standard length motor this would not be an issue.
Had many. All non assisted. Just use a winch and pully system. Easy to do.
Tall Sail Marine
Yes winch mounted on front starboard side of floater, pully mounted on rear starboard corner. Winch cable runs through pully then back to bow eye. Pull boat back about 1/3 of way off dock till motor is deep. Release winch cable and then crank motor and back the rest of the way off. Not sure how assist would help, more moving parts sound like to me.