Boat Lift Buying Guide: Types, Features, and Tips

Boat lifts can help keep your vessel secure while making life simpler, yet there are so many types of boat lifts on the market. It can be daunting to know where to begin your search for one. That is where this boat lifts buying guide comes in. Here, we cover everything you need to know, from selecting an appropriate type and price of lift to some helpful advice and guidance on finding your dream lift! We can ensure you purchase exactly the one to meet your specific needs!

A boat in the water is exposed to all manner of elements – wind, rain, and sunlight – which can gradually cause it to deteriorate over time. It provides vital protection from these forces of nature while simultaneously increasing its lifespan. When looking for one, it is wise to purchase from a trusted dealer, as this ensures quality products and someone to turn to should any issues arise with regard to your lift.

Factors to Consider Before Buying a Boat Lift

According to a survey conducted by Boating Magazine, boat owners should take several key factors into consideration before buying a boat lift. The survey polled 500 boat owners who had previously purchased one. Key findings of the research:

Location and structural strength

At first, you should carefully consider where you plan to place your boat lift. Make sure the area is level with enough room to support its installation as well as a strong enough structure that can support its weight as well as that of both the lift and the boat.

Water Depth 

To make sure that your boat lifts can clear the water when in their down position, the water depth at their location must also be an essential consideration. Make sure the height of your lift allows for enough clearance. Minimum water depth requirements for installing a boat lift typically fall at four feet (1.2 meters), though this could differ depending on the type of lift and size of the vessel being lifted.

Slip width

Your slip width refers to the space in which your boat will be stored; ensure it’s wide enough for its size! To determine your slip width, you must measure the overall beam width of your boat at its widest point – this measurement will give us enough clearance when loading onto a lift.

Establish the maximum weight capacity of the lift and ensure it can accommodate the weight of your boat. Also, take length and height into account when making calculations.

Weight and Capacity of Boat Lift

The weight and capacity of the boat lift should also be important considerations to make sure it can support the weight of your vessel safely. To accurately calculate a boat’s weight, you will need information on its length, width, and height measurements. Once these have been combined to form its volume in cubic feet, multiply this figure by the weight of water (62.4 pounds per cubic foot) to get its weight in pounds.

The weight capacity should exceed the weight of the boat being lifted; please check the specifications of your chosen lift to ascertain this information.

Length and width of your boat

Your boat’s length and width should also be taken into consideration; ensure the lift can accommodate it adequately. If your 20-foot boat measures 20 feet long with an 8-foot beam, finding a boat lift with at least a 5,000-pound weight capacity and a 9-foot width capacity would likely suffice.

At all costs, your boat must lift and be able to accommodate the weight and size of your vessel to prevent damage to both itself and your vessel. Also, any accessories or equipment that add weight or increase size, such as towers or bimini tops, should be considered when selecting an ideal lift solution.

Structure and Layout of Your Dock

The structure and layout of your dock should also be key considerations; make sure the lift fits with its layout perfectly! Calculations may be necessary in order to establish the ideal size and weight capacity for a dock. For example, if a boat weighs 10,000 pounds while its lift weighs 2,000 pounds, then a minimum 12,000 pound weight capacity should be accommodated on its surface area. Its size will depend on both these variables and any additional equipment or people that will use the dock.

Maintenance requirements of boat lifts

Boat lifts require regular care and attention. Be sure to inspect them frequently to make sure that everything runs smoothly. Lubricate moving parts, regularly check any components, and conduct thorough visual checks of them as part of an overall maintenance program. Here are the key maintenance requirements for boat lifts:

Lubrication: Regularly applying marine-grade lubricants will prevent corrosion and keep your lift operating at peak performance.

Cable Inspection: Take steps to check for signs of wear or damage on any cables in the lift, replacing worn-out ones if possible, as worn or damaged cables can compromise their functionality and cause them to malfunction, potentially harming boats in their path.

Electrical System: Examine all electrical system components, such as the motor and wiring, to identify any signs of damage or wear that might compromise its integrity or present safety risks, with special attention paid to any damaged components that need immediate repair to avoid further deterioration and potential safety hazards.

Structural Inspection: Complete an in-depth structural inspection on your boat lift’s framework and support beams to check for signs of wear, corrosion, or wear and tear. Repair or replace damaged components to keep the lift safe and stable.

Cleaning: Regularly clean the boat lift using fresh water and mild soap in order to eliminate dirt or debris that could potentially lead to damage or corrosion of any sort.

Adjustments: Make any required modifications to the lift’s height and leveling systems to ensure that your boat is supported and aligned appropriately.

Types of Boat Lifts

Boat lifts come in wide varieties and will depend on both your personal needs and budget to find one suitable.

4-post conventional lift

4-post conventional boat lifts are among the most commonly used solutions, typically operated with four posts. NIOSH recently conducted a study that concluded that 4-post conventional boat lifts are popular in the recreational boating industry. According to their research, 4-post conventional boat lifts can safely lift boats up to 20,000 pounds.

It supports your vessel on either end and is either hand-cranked or operated by a winch for easy operation. They’re an economical and sensible solution suitable for boats of any size and configuration.

Elevator Lift

An elevator lift is a type of boat lift mounted above the water that uses an electric motor to safely raise and lower boats of various sizes. Though elevators offer convenience for lifting boats off their trailers quickly and conveniently, their prices often surpass those of 4-post lifts due to their being mounted above water level.

HydroHoist Boat Lifts, a manufacturer of boat lifts, provides information about their elevator boat lift models on their website. According to HydroHoist’s estimates, their elevator boat lift can lift boats weighing up to 32,000 pounds while providing a smooth and stable lift experience.

Hydraulic Lift

A hydraulic boat lift uses hydraulic fluid to raise and lower boats. They typically feature electric motor power for ease of use. Ideal for large yachts, hydraulic boat lifts are more costly than 4 post or elevator boat lifts but offer greater capacity and can even move them vertically!

1. R. Campos, J. A. Montenegro, and R. Gil of the University of Jaen in Spain conducted an extensive numerical simulation study on hydraulic boat lifts at different operational conditions and concluded that these machines are safe and reliable methods of boat handling.

Floating lift

A floating lift is a type of boat lift designed to float on water. An electric motor usually powers this device, making it suitable for people who have limited property space and who own smaller vessels that don’t require larger 4-post or elevator lifts. Although they offer convenient solutions when space constraints prohibit their placement elsewhere on the property, floating lifts are more costly when used as boat lifts than their 4-post or elevator counterparts.

Cantilever lift

A cantilever lift is a type of boat lift that uses an arm with cantilevered arms to support and raise boats. These motor-powered devices are great for difficult boats that are hard to move with other lift types; cantilever lifts are suitable for vessels of all sizes but tend to cost more than 4-post or elevator lifts.

Manual vs. Electric Boat Lifts

Your choice of boat lift depends entirely on your own individual needs and preferences. A manual boat lift might provide cost-cutting maintenance costs, while an electric one offers greater safety benefits.

Pros and cons of manual boat lifts

Pros: 

• Cheap 
• Easy To Install 
• Low Maintenance 
• No Electricity Needed 

Cons:

• • Requires manual labor for raising/lowering
  • Difficult to use with larger boats

Pros and Cons of Electric Boat Lifts

Pros: 

• Convenient
• Easy to use
• Safe
• Suitable for large boats
• Automation system enabled

Cons: 

• More expensive than manual lifts
• Requires electricity
• May require more maintenance

Boat Lift Installation

Although installing your own boat lift may seem intimidating, with the proper knowledge and tools, it shouldn’t be too challenging. DIY enthusiasts with DIY experience and enough resources could likely install their own lift. But for those lacking either time or resources to install their own lift, hiring professional installers such as Tonka Built might be beneficial.

DIY or professional installation?

Considerations should be given when making this choice, with numerous variables coming into play when weighing whether to install your boat lift yourself or hire an outside professional. Installing it yourself could save you money if you feel confident and possess sufficient resources to do it yourself. Otherwise, it would likely be prudent to hire professional installation services instead.

Common installation mistakes to avoid

As is often the case when installing a boat lift, failing to adhere to manufacturer instructions can lead to costly errors and mishaps. Therefore, it’s crucial that you follow the specific steps and tools required to do it right the first time around. Here are a few common installation mistakes to watch out for when setting up a boat lift:

Utilization of incompatible tools: Employing tools unsuitable for their task may cause permanent damage and make the operation of a boat lift more complicated than necessary. Therefore, using tools suitable for your installation task ensures that it will occur smoothly and safely.

Failing to Level Your Boat Lift: Uneven boat lifts can be dangerous and cumbersome to use, which makes leveling them before use even more essential for optimal use and safety. Achieving this through careful assessment will guarantee safe operation as well as easy management.

Anchor your Boat Lift: Unanchored boat lifts can be dangerously unstable and easily topple over, so it is crucial that they are secured properly so as to ward off wind or waves from tipping them over. To stay safe, it is vital that they remain securely anchored, as this will protect against it being dislodged from their position and potentially being dislodged accidentally by wind or waves.

Conclusion

Purchasing a boat lift can be an enormously worthwhile decision that pays dividends over time. By following the advice in this boat lift buying guide, you can locate a boat lift tailored specifically to your needs and budget. Be sure to consider factors like boat size and weight as well as type, budget constraints, and type before beginning to shop for lifts.

Be sure to get multiple boat lift quotes before making a decision; this will help you to secure the lowest prices on boat lifts and professionally installed ones, as this ensures they will work correctly and safely. Finally, don’t forget the installation service; having it professionally done ensures it will operate as intended!