Ski Boat Lift

Looking for input on an overhead sling style lift. I purchased a used electric 4000# lift and after wading around my channel swamp area where I live, I don't think it is deep enough within the 50' from shore DNR deal to sit. I figure I need about 3.5' of water to have ski boat clearance 93SN. I measured from my trailer and from the waterline on the boat to figure out how far under water the boards need to be.

What's a good overhead lift or anyone think I could convert the one I have?

It a #4000 electric Hewitt.   It is a cantilever. A dock without permit can only extend 50 from shore and/or only be so many square feet and only so wide.   I have done some searches for sling style; but, not with much luck. I see some really nice permanent style big post boat dock shelters. Actually, my issue is not the 50' thing; but, I think I could only extend out maybe another 6' before I encroach on the 'navigation channel'

I have a similar Hewitt lift. The front is normally in about 20” of water and it was hard to get the boat off the lift during a drought. I dug down under the feet and lowered it 2-3” this fall, hopefully that will help next spring. If you can get the front ends of the boards just barely under water it will work fine.

I’ve never seen a free standing sling lift - only see those in boat houses up here.

Does anybody use the "air bladder" system??   Air pumped into tank that displaces the water and makes it float then depletes the air and makes it sink. Looks like a simple system but must be a reason they are not popular. Air compressor, valve system and some hoses is all that is needed. Kinda like a floating dock compared to a sinking dock.

Duane, that kind of lift is pretty much the standard down here. I am guessing because we don’t freeze so they don’t have to come out in the fall. If folks have big boat houses, they may have some kind of hoist/sling/lifting ring system, (Reid comes to mind) but I’ve also seen a bunch with the air tank systems. Greg Fossett has a nice one, integrated into his floating dock. I don’t think they do real well in real shallow water like the OP has tho, those bladder tanks are fairly large/deep. I think HydroHoist is the prevalent brand.

https://www.boatlift.com/boat-lifts/