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Made in Canada
2 boats raised with lift at dock

Boat Lifts 101: Here’s what you need to know

When it comes time to pack up the water skis and tubes for the day, it’s important to have the right marine products installed on your shoreline to protect your boat from damage. Among many other benefits, boat lifts offer superior protection from waves, dirt/algae build-up, and bad weather.

 

 

  • VERTICAL BOAT LIFTS

Does your shoreline have a large water fluctuation on a seasonal basis? Does your lake usually have large waves or rough tide? If you answered yes, a vertical boat lift would be ideal for your dock. These boat lifts have five feet of vertical lift and offer easy access to your boat from either side of the lift. They can be lifted using either an automatic brake winch or electric powered 120-volt winch or Solar winch. These lifts also work great for Pontoon Boats.

 

  • CANTILEVER BOAT LIFTS

Cantilever lifts are generally easier to maintain and keep in good working order. They make use of leverage to raise the boat out of the water and consist of two H-shape structures which are pulled by a cable into a vertical position. This causes the boat to lift up out of the water. Unlike the Vertical Lifts, the cantilever beds pivots back 4’ from the uprights so you can pull the boat on further out into the lake. Therefore the Cantilever may work better for those in shallower water.

 

  • HYDRAULIC BOAT LIFTS

Imagine walking towards your dock and pressing a button on a remote control to have your boat lowered perfectly into the water and ready to go. That’s the convenience you get with a hydraulic boat lift. Hydraulic systems will quickly and quietly move your boat to and from the water. They’re premium boat lifts that offer sophistication and protection from harsh marine environments. Up and down movements are controlled by the push of a button and are powered by a 12-volt battery. Solar panels on the top of the dock often keep the battery charged.

 

If you’d like to know more about the different styles of boat lifts, contact R & J Machine. Our staff would be happy to put together the best possible lift solution based on your budget and shoreline.

sea do lift system at doc

boat lift system at dock

 

red boat lifted