Using a boat lift allows you to easily launch and store your vessel up and out of the water. There are different types of lifts depending on variables like the depth of the water and size of your boat. Let’s explore these two types of lifts in greater detail and see which might be the better option for your shoreline.
Cantilever Boat Lifts
A cantilever lift is a relatively simple design that includes a fixed main frame with an attached H shaped frame. Utilizing leverage, the carriage swings upward and forward as the boat is raised out of the water and down and back as it is lowered. Cantilever boat lifts may be driven utilizing a cable mechanism or using hydraulics. Hydraulic cantilever lifts do not have cables that are pulled or wound, resulting in fewer moving parts and less maintenance than cable driven lifts. These lifts have an over-center design that locks in place, eliminating the possibility of your boat lowering on its own even if a cylinder fails, adding to the safety and reliability.
RGC’s CANTILEVER HYDRAULIC LIFT can accommodate both shallow and deep water depths, has a maximum height of 72” and a maximum weight of 12,000 lbs.
Vertical Boat Lifts
Vertical lifts have a more complicated design and require slightly more effort to maintain, but have the ability to raise a boat higher above the water than a cantilever lift can, which makes them better suited for areas where water levels fluctuate a great deal. In addition, Vertical lifts require a smaller footprint than cantilever lifts making them suitable for space limited locations. These lifts use a cable and pulley system with a vertically moving carriage affixed to a main frame. These lifts are easy to load a boat onto, and can operate in both fluctuating and shallow water depths.
Vertical lifts raise a boat with cables that bear the full weight of the vessel at all times. One cable is attached to a winch and is the only cable that does the actual lifting, the other cables are there for balance and support. Cables are prone to stretching over time, need to be adjusted periodically to keep the carriage level, requiring added inspection and maintenance.
RGC’s Hydraulic Vertical lifts are suitable for shallow installation and adjustable for areas where water levels fluctuate. Made with high quality marine-grade aluminum, these lifts can be easily assembled with basic hand tools, and are customizable with different lift accessories. RGC’s Vertical Aluminum Lifts can accommodate a max weight of 10,000 lbs. and supports the widest range of hull designs and boat weights.
If you have questions about how to choose the right lift for your vessel, CONTACT US today.
