Cantilever Lift

The job of a boat lift is to get your boat out of the water when it’s not in use.  They generally do this in one of two ways:  Vertical lifting, or cantilever lifting.

The most common style of lift is the vertical lift.  Vertical style lifts use a series of cables and pulleys to make the carrier travel straight up and down.   Because the direction of lift is in line with the legs, vertical lifts are more stable and able to handle greater weights.    Vertical lifts work well in deep water or in situation where you want to raise your boat higher out of the water–such as place with high waves or fluctuating water levels.

Cantilever lifts work by pivoting the carrier out of the water diagonally.  Cantilever lifts are best suited for shallow water and smaller craft such as PWCs.

Platform length (click for larger view)

When choosing a lift, it’s important that you get one that will handle your boat–both in size and in weight.

The first, and most obvious thing to ask is “Will my boat fit on that lift?”  The two dimensions you need to look at are length and beam.  Length is fairly straight forward.  Most ShoreStation lifts run between about 9-ft and 11-ft long, though someof the hydraulic models can go over 15-ft.   With the boat properly seated, a 9-ft platform is sufficient for most boats in this area.  For pontoons, the bunks (the pieces of wood that the boat actually sits on) extend beyond the platform, giving more stability and support.

The width of your boat is known as the “beam”.  This is measured at the widest point.  For a variety of reasons, most boats you’ll see in this area have a beam of 8′6″ or less.  For these boats, you’ll need a lift with a 9′ width (this gives you a couple inches on either side).  If you’re unsure about the beam of your boat, check your owner’s manual, it should be clearly listed in the specs.

Lift beam (click for larger view)

Weight capacity is the other important factor to consider, and it’s a bit more tricky.  The owner’s manual for your boat should list its “dry weight”, but there’s more to it than that.  You also have to add on the weight of the motor (if it’s an outboard).  That’s still not everything.  A full 30-gallon gas tank will add almost 250 lbs. Then there’s the cooler filled with ice and drinks, the trolling motor, the tool box you have stashed under the back seat…  by themselves, they may not weigh very much, but when you add them up, it can end up being a lot more than you think.  If you’re getting close to the rated capaticy of a lift, it’s smart to move up to the next size; better safe than sorry.   On the other hand, if all you have is a tiny little fishing boat, there’s no need for a 10,000-lb lift (unless you expect to catching a 2-ton muskie!)

Choosing the right lift for your boat and your needs isn’t difficult, but it IS important.  That’s why we’re here to help.  Give us a call or stop in and talk to Ben.   We’ll help you find the lift that just right.

Wickcraft Rail System

Marine track systems are an alternative to boat lifts.  They consists of a dolly (which holds the boat), a pair of rails, and a winch to move the dolly.  Rail systems work well if you have a boathouse or are unable to install a lift.  Marine track systems are designed in 2 configurations:  gravity or push-pull.

Gravity systems:

The gravity system is just what it sounds like:  A system which uses gravity to get the boat down to the water.  Gravity systems work best in areas where the shorline (or boathouse) is several feet above the water level.  Gravity systems require a sloped surface no less than 6″ per 10′ to kept the dolly rolling.

The motors on the gravity system allow the dolly to travel at about 19 feet per minute, so on an average-sized 40-foot track it would take about a two minutes to launch or store your boat.

Push/Pull systems:

A push-pull system has a cable mounted to both the front and back of the dolly so that the boat can be pulled (“pushed”) out of the boathouse using the power of the motor, and then recalled the by pulling in the opposite direction.

The advantage of a pull/pull system is that the boathouse floor can be lower to the water, and the concrete can be poured level.  This is helpful in new construction–especially in areas where the lot is flat.

Our systems come from Endres Manufacturing and Wickcraft.  Both systems, gravity or push/pull, can have the rails mounted above an existing concrete or dirt surface.  If you’re interested in a rail system, give us a call.  We can answer all your questions about the specifics and find out which system is best for you.