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boatliftanddock.com offers many different types, models and brands of marine lifts to ensure we have a lift that fits your watercraft, budget and lake bottom.

Many of the lifts we carry are referred to as freestanding lifts. This means that they do not require pilings or any type of permanent structure to be used. The lifts are also removable, portable and in many states, do not require a permit.

Freestanding Lifts have become very popular do to the fact that they are portable, easy to maintain and work in many different water conditions.

Benefits of a Freestanding Lift;

• Fastest and Easiest way to
   get on the Water!

• No More Trailering...Save Gas!

• Protects from Zebra Muscles, Algae,
  Barnacles and other Fouling Organisms
  and Substances.

• A canopy makes covering your boat
  as easy as cranking up your lift.

• Keeps Dock and Boat safe in
  Bad Weather

• Great Resale Value

• Electric and Solar Options

• Removable and Portable

• Easy to Maintain

When choosing a lift for your boat, pontoon, pwc or what ever watercraft you are looking to lift, there are 2 things you should know that will help narrow the search;

• Knowing the Overall Weight of your watercraft will tell you the minimum weight capacity needed when choosing a lift.

The overall weight is the dry weight, plus gas (8lbs per gallon) and gear. You can find the dry weight of most boats, pontoons and other watercraft at www.NadaGuides.com.

• Knowing the Beam or Width at Widest of your watercraft is also very important. All freestanding lifts have a maximum width allowed which is measured from inside of upright to inside of upright (shown in illustration to left).

Once the overall weight and beam of your watercraft is known, it is time to choose the type of lift you want or need. Below are different types of freestanding lifts that we offer with pros and cons for each.

Vertical Lifts

Freestanding Vertical Lifts operate in a straight up and down action where the cradle or platform raises and lowers inside the structure. (shown in illustration below)

• Strong and Very Stable with a solid 10ft x 10ft footprint
• Easy access to your boat whether the lift is in the up or down position
• Up to a 64" lift height in the cradle alone (not counting leg adjustment)
• Very Low Maintenance
• Perfect for fluctuating and low water levels.
• All moving parts are out of the water when in the raise position.

Cantilever Lifts

Cantilever lifts use a pivoting motion to raise and lower your watercraft. Generally cantilever lifts are mechanically simpler and have fewer moving parts and cables then a vertical lift. (shown in illustration below)

• Excellent for smaller boats and personal watercrafts
• Less moving parts and cables to wear
• Less expensive then a Vertical Lift
• Very Low Maintenance
• Perfect for low water levels

Flat Rack vs. V-Rack

The cradle or platform on a freestanding vertical lift comes in either a Flat Rack or V-Rack design. At one point, the v-rack made it possible to get in to shallower water then what the flat rack would allow. Now most flat rack designs lower in to their own lower framework giving you just as much clearance as the v-rack. (shown in illustration below)

• This really depends on the lift. ShoreStation Lifts use a v-rack that works very well and actually helps to keep the cradle centered. CraftLander uses the flat rack design with the main cables strung across the lift to help keep the lift from binding. Not all lifts do this correctly.

Shore Ramps

Shore Ramps are designed for personal watercrafts, small boats and pontoon boats that have no other efficient and effective method for docking or storage. We recommend these units for lakes with very muddy, mucky or deep lake bottoms that will not support a freestanding lift.

• Works on a sandy, rocky or grass shoreline
• Lightweight and easy to move
• Ships UPS or FedEx worldwide

Hull Bunks

Almost all lifts come with some sort of hull or toon bunk that actually supports your boat above the cradle or platform. Hull bunks are adjustable so they work for all different types of boats. A dual set of bunks can be used for pontoon boats (pontoon rack also an option).

• Vinyl over Aluminum is becoming the most popular set up for hull bunks. Vinyl stays clean and does not trap sand or other debret that can damage the hull of your boat.

• Carpet over Wood is the more traditional hull bunk and what has been used for years. Just make sure you keep them clean!

• If you have an older lift that has the old style "cradles" on your platform and would like a set of bunks, contact us.

Telescoping Adjustable Legs

Adjustable legs are a must on any freestanding lift. Many lifts use a telescoping method that makes adjusting each leg fairly easy even under the waterline.