What Are The Different Types of Boat Lifts?

Boatlifts offer many advantages, preventing damage and safe transport. A lift may help to keep a yacht in good shape over a longer period. In the summer, the boat is easily available in all weathers but what about outside seasons? This blog will highlight some of the different types of boat lifts. You should have your boats lifted to ensure that your boat is safe and will not be affected by any damage. As a yacht owner, the benefits are very high in our popular charters. If we have something small we are willing to invest an equal amount of money to protect it. Find the best boat lift for the most comfortable use and the benefits it has for your boat.

Types

Although there are many types of boat lifts that are available for everyone, you still need to consider the one that is right for your setup. If you own a fairly huge and heavy-weighted boat, then you need to get a boat lift system that can easily accommodate the specifications of your boat. Here are a few types of boat lifts:

Floating Lifts

Floating boat lifts are docks where your boat goes up. It is designed for keeping your boat off-water, without pulling the boat’s chains. In addition, these ship lift systems usually require less maintenance due to their smaller moving parts. A floating lift also ensures you don’t have to worry about its height in the air. During tides, the elevator will rise and drop as the tide goes away . A floating lift system operates with the help of plastic containers at the bottom which are in contact with the water. If you want your lift to lower you add water into the containers and it lowers. You can then drive your boat onto the lift and once it’s perfectly parked on it, you can then simply remove the water from the containers causing it to suspend the boat out of the water. However, this does not work for every boat. Since some of the boats are heavier, it becomes difficult for the empty containers to hold the weight of the boat and can collapse. An easy fix for this is to use large-sized containers so that there is more surface area to cover and provide support to the boat. A floating lift system is best for homeowners who want their private boats to be stored safely. Using a floating lift for commercial-level boats is not an ideal solution as it can be costly and unsafe too.

Freestanding Lifts

A freestanding lift is supported by having its foundations embedded in the ground under the water. It can also be installed in a dry area depending on where your dock is situated. It functions as a cantilever system that can pull the boat out of the water. A freestanding lift is also referred to as a bottom-standing lift or a suspended lift. A freestanding lift is essentially a horizontal or cantilevered lift that carries the boat and takes it to its surface. Most of these are used by hydraulic systems but they also include cranks and electrical systems. The boat must be on the lift system to be accessible with its freestanding lift. The lift takes the boat in the air before leaving. In the above case, a vertical lift could be utilized if you can easily carry water from above the lift. If possible, use cantilever lifts for additional space between the boat and its shoreline. It gives you more depth of water. Freestanding lifts are fairly simple to use. You have your setup installed near your dock where the lift system is under the water in its normal position. If you want to store your boat on it, all you have to do is drive it onto the lift, and then using the controls you can lift it vertically. A hydraulic lift system is used for its operation. This boat-lifting apparatus is used by homeowners as well as commercial boat storage units. They are capable of lifting heavy-weighted boats and because of the cantilever technology, users can store more than one boat at a time.

Boathouse Lifts

Boathouses are referred to as lifts or auxiliary lifts. Generally, these kinds of lifts have been installed on home docks and are an excellent option for those that are unable to mount a freestanding lift in the water. It would be interesting to know why a boat lift is not required in a dock. Alternatively, such a vertical lift system could easily be installed in businesses’ warehouses and even homes’ garages. They can also be called suspended boat lifts. Using stainless steel cables system, boathouse lifts can be lifted in vertical air. Both lifts and boats can be supported by overhead structures. These structures can consist of docks with metal or wood canopies, or they can be structurally sound buildings built on the land. This lift is usually fueled by hydraulics however other types of movement systems exist. Most people like hydraulic devices, primarily due to their faster speed and power. Unlike the boats in their home lifts, they can safely be lowered undercover on their lifts and protect themselves against weather changes as needed. Solar panels are available in boathouses too. Homeowners with already owned boats fit this style of lift perfectly. The boat lift can also be useful for people without sufficient soil in their boats. Some people who wish to get a lift in their garage and not require extra room could also consider having a boat house lift installed inside their house. Businesses use these boat lifts to assist customers moving on or off their charter or rental boats. Boat House Lift provides customers with access to a sheltered and fixed entrance area accessible only to people who are disabled.

Pile Mount Lifts

Pilgrimage lifts are boats that are hung on piles on a dock. What are piles? This is a big wooden pillar in the earth on a stationary dock. These boards can be installed in water with concrete, which means they are sturdy enough to handle tidal force. This makes a good place for boat lifts. This type of boat lift can be used as an alternative to a boat lifter for people without a boat house for the boat. These lifts are positioned on one base or more and often can hold large amounts Typically, people need a sturdy lifting system to support hefty weights on the ground and to lift piled items. The crew should consider the use of a lift for piles in situations where the boat needs to lift high from the sea. Typical examples would be boat docks that are exposed to high tide. In this case, you would want to pull the yacht from a very high position to avoid a sudden drop. Bottom Standing Lifts Piling Mount Lifts Floating Lifts Shore Mounted Lifts Explore Different Boat Types Selecting a Boat Lift is rated by the weight it can accommodate, and lift capacity ranges from about 3,000 pounds to more than 15,000 pounds. A pile mount lift consists of two large beams running parallel to the others in a separate pile. They contain pulleys connected by the cradle to the boat’s bottom and the anchors. It’s up to the owners and the pulleys will lift the yacht into the sea. As in any lifting system, pile mounts are typically hydraulically designed to pull the boat from the water quickly.

What’s The Best Type of Boat Lift?

Sustained lifting is the toughest and most durable choice These lifts generally include stainless steel cable, stainless steel or galvanized support panels, reel cable, and motors. These lifts should therefore be designed for heavy use. It can be used for a small period and requires no servicing.

What Type of Boat Lift is Best For Shallow Water?

While most lift boats have three feet of water to use, they have options available on deeper shorelines. The lifting sling type is more effective in shallow waters as it compensates for the lack of depth.

Conclusion

The right lift can also help you save time. When you have your own boat lift, there’s no need to haul the craft from the launch ramp to the storage area and back again. As a bonus, this will also help you save on fuel costs. Finally, owning a boat lift is more convenient than the alternative. You’ll have easy access to the water, which is likely one of the main reasons you will get a boat lift in the first place. FootHills Dock & Lift Repair offers a variety of boat and boat lift maintenance services. With the winter season approaching, you can rely on our services as we can effectively help you winterize your boat. We guarantee that your boat will retain its original condition after the season ends. We also provide lift removal, dock resurfacing, boat and dock maintenance, dock cleaning, and others. Contact us today and book an appointment!

What Are The Different Types of Boat Lifts?