If you plan to install a boat lift on a shoreline that experiences fluctuations in water levels or somewhere with rather shallow water, it’s important to make sure that you choose a lift that will work for your specific situation. Luckily, there are a number of different types of lifts that will work in a variety of depths including shallow water.
Cantilever vs Vertical Boat Lifts
A cantilever lift has a fixed main frame with an H shaped frame attached and a swinging carriage the boat rests on. The carriage swings upward and forward as the boat is raised and down and back as it is lowered. A Hydraulic Cantilever lift is faster and smoother than cable driven lifts, but they are typically not suitable for water depths below 2 feet. While his type of lift is extremely reliable and easy to adjust and install, it doesn’t easily adapt to fluctuating water levels.
Unlike a cantilever lift, vertical boat lifts are engineered to not only lift but also to store your vessel at a greater range of heights, making it suitable for fluctuating water levels. Vertical lifts use a cable and pulley system with a vertically moving carriage affixed to a main frame and aren’t restricted by H frames allowing them to lift higher than a cantilever up to 80”. These lifts are easy to load a boat onto, and can operate in both fluctuating and shallow water depths.
What Boat Lift is Best for Shallow Water?
Before you can determine the best lift for your boat, you’ll need to know its weight and dimensions and the type of water where the lift will be installed. RGC Marine offers three different types of freestanding boat lifts that can accommodate a range of different vessels and water conditions. Our cantilever hydraulic lift can accommodate both shallow and deep water depths, has a maximum height of 72” and a maximum weight of 36,000 lbs.
Our hydraulic vertical lifts are suitable for shallow installation and also adjustable for areas where water levels frequently fluctuate. This freestanding lift has a max height of 81” and a max weight of 7,000 lbs. Made with high quality marine-grade aluminum, these lifts can be easily assembled with basic hand tools, hydraulically powered with 12V or 24V DC and are customizable with different lift accessories.
Offering the most options for customization, including various drive options, our vertical aluminum lifts can accommodate a max weight or 10,000 lbs. The vertical aluminum lift supports the widest range of hull designs and boat weights and is ideal for use with fluctuating water levels.
All of our lifts are designed for durability and ease of use. If you have questions about boat lifts and how to choose the best option for your needs, feel free to contact us here.
