Posted on June 5, 2025

How To Choose a Boat Lift Type

HOW TO CHOOSE A BOAT LIFT

Written by HydroHoist Marketing

How to Choose a Boat Lift Type

Every boater—whether a first-time owner or a seasoned sea dog—wants more time on the water, less time on maintenance, and a secure place to store their vessel. For those with a dedicated slip, a boat lift checks all those boxes, keeping your watercraft clean, safe, and ready to go. However, different boat lifts perform best depending on the boat design, dock setup, and waterfront environment. 

 

Below, we break down the most common types of boat lifts, highlighting where they excel to help you choose the optimal boat storage solution for your unique needs. 

Why the Right Boat Lift Matters for Performance and Protection

A lift that isn’t properly matched to your boat’s weight, hull design, or dock system can result in the very inconveniences you wanted to avoid in the first place. For instance, a lift that isn’t rated to handle your boat’s weight or configured to its hull design might struggle to lift evenly or operate smoothly. This can lead to longer operating cycles, difficulty launching or docking, or a lift that’s simply unusable during certain water levels or weather conditions.

Over time, the added stress can wear down key components, cause uneven support, or lead to costly mechanical failures (Boat Lift Warehouse, 2022). Instead of preserving your boat, the wrong lift may expose it to damage—and add frustration to every outing. Conversely, the appropriate lift extends your boat’s lifespan, simplifies your routine, and helps you maximize your time on the water.

The Main Types of Boat Lifts Explained

Boat lifts generally fall into three primary categories: bottom-standing, floating, and suspended. Your dock type—floating, fixed, or seawall-mounted—will largely determine which lift style works best for your location. While some docks can accommodate multiple lift designs, in most instances, there will be an optimum solution. 

 

Here’s an overview of the most common lift designs to help you get a better idea of what fits your needs:

Floating Lifts:

  • How they work: HydroHoist’s hydropneumatic floating boat lifts utilize air-filled tanks to raise and lower vessels. When air is pumped into the tanks, the lift rises, bringing the boat above the waterline. To lower the lift, the control system opens valves, allowing the compressed air to vent out. As the air escapes, the tanks fill with water, causing the lift platform to sink below the waterline.
  • Best for: These lifts are an excellent choice for slips in deep water or areas where water depths fluctuate, as they adjust to rising and falling water levels without requiring manual adjustments or additional hardware (BoatUS, n.d.).

Hydraulic Lifts (Bottom-Standing or Suspended):

  • How they work: Hydraulic lifts use cylinders and pumps to raise and lower boats. These systems rely on hydraulic fluid, resulting in faster lift times and less noise than cable-driven lifts. Depending on the setup, hydraulic lifts can be bottom-standing (resting on the lakebed or seabed) or suspended (mounted to a dock structure).
  • Best for: Hydraulic lifts thrive in calm, predictable water environments where waves, tides, or water level fluctuations are minimal. Since they require a steady base, they work best in locations with firm, even underwater terrain.

Cantilever Lifts (Bottom-Standing):

  • How they work: Cantilever lifts use a pivoting frame activated by cables and a winch to transfer the boat’s weight onto a sturdy base and lift it above the water. This relatively simple yet effective design relies on leverage facilitated by the pivoting motion and controlled by cables, making it generally dependable and easier to maintain than more complex lift types.
  • Best for: Cantilever lifts excel in shallow water, soft bottoms, and locations where heavier lifts or deeper installations might not be practical. They’re also an ideal choice for boaters dealing with limited water depth, as they don’t require deep pilings or advanced anchoring systems to function efficiently.

Vertical Lifts (Bottom-Standing):

  • How they work: Vertical lifts use a cable-and-pulley system to raise and lower boats in a straight vertical motion. As one of the most time-tested boat lift designs, these lifts have long been trusted for their reliability and durability. However, traditional manual versions require physical effort to crank the boat up and down, which can be demanding—especially for larger vessels.
  • Best for: Vertical lifts perform best in variable-depth environments, including lakes, riverfronts, and coastal settings where water levels may rise and fall significantly. Their ability to lift a boat high above the water makes them particularly valuable in flood-prone locations or areas with wake-induced movement. They also require minimal dock space, making them ideal for tighter slips and dock layouts. 

Elevator lifts

  • How they work: Elevator lifts mount directly to a seawall, piling, or bulkhead, using motor-driven rails to raise and lower boats. Elevator lifts operate along a guided track, allowing boats to move at an angle rather than straight up and down.
  • Best for: Because they don’t require large overhead beams or dock-mounted hardware, they are a great option for tight spaces where traditional lifts might be difficult to install. 

Shore-Mounted Lifts

  • How they work: Shore-mounted lifts utilize rails or ramps that extend from land into the water to create a guided pathway for boats to be pulled ashore. Depending on the setup, boats can be moved using a manual winch, motorized system, or gravity-assisted design to glide smoothly out of the water. This type of lift eliminates the need for a dock, relying instead on a firm shoreline and properly angled tracks to facilitate easy launching and retrieval.
  • Best for: Shore-mounted lifts perform best in protected waters with moderate depth near the shoreline. Because the lift relies on direct shoreline access, it’s better suited for lakes, sheltered bays, and waterfronts without strong currents or unpredictable tide shifts.

 

Most manufacturers offer customizable bunking systems and lift configurations to accommodate a wide range of hull designs, engine placements, and boat sizes—ensuring a secure fit regardless of your setup.

How to Match a Boat Lift to Your Boat and Dock

Start by ensuring the lift’s weight capacity exceeds your boat’s fully loaded weight, including fuel, gear, and all equipment typically stored onboard. Next, assess your waterfront conditions, including water depth, bottom composition, and other environmental factors that may impact installation and operation. These conditions will help you determine the most suitable type of boat lift and the appropriate anchorage solutions. 

 

Authorized HydroHoist dealers can assess your site and recommend optimal boat lift systems based on your specific vessel type, dock setup, and shoreline characteristics. Enter your zip code in our online tool to get a list of boat lifts for sale near me. 

Freshwater vs. Saltwater Considerations

In saltwater environments, corrosion is a major concern—so it's essential to get a lift built with marine-grade aluminum, stainless steel hardware, and sealed components. Freshwater lifts are less prone to corrosion but may still require protection from algae and sediment buildup. Ultimately, selecting a lift designed for your water type will extend its service life and reduce maintenance demands.

Boat Lift Features to Compare Before Buying

Once you’ve narrowed down your options, you can turn your attention to features that will make your life easier. For example, while manual cable-driven lifts provide a more affordable option, push-button or remote-controlled hoists can be an absolute game-changer—especially if you often launch solo. Meanwhile, more advanced level-lifting mechanisms, automatic stops, and overload protection are critical safety features that may be worth paying a premium for. 

Which Boat Lift Is Best for Your Lifestyle?

The best boat lifts complement their owners’ unique lifestyles. For instance, while remote-controlled systems and drive-on floating lifts will benefit daily boaters the most, a shore-mounted hoist may provide seasonal users with the right balance of performance and easy off-season storage.  The right choice should align not just with your boat and waterfront—but with how you like to spend your time on the water.

Questions to Ask Before You Buy

Before zeroing in on a purchase, ask yourself (or your installer) the following to ensure a seamless ownership experience from day one:

 

  • Are permits required to install the lift or add components like spud poles or pilings?
  • Is electricity available at your dock to power a hydraulic or motorized system?
  • Can your dock support the type of lift you're considering, or will modifications be needed?
  • What is your budget, and does it account for installation, accessories, and long-term maintenance?

 

Taking the time to assess these final considerations will help you choose a lift that fits your boating needs for the long haul. 

Why Choose HydroHoist for Your Boat Lift

Since introducing the first hydropneumatic boat lift in 1964, HydroHoist has remained the industry’s leading innovator, continually enhancing its designs and construction techniques to keep vessels in optimal condition and ready for use whenever needed. These include fully customizable fixed and free-floating boat hoists for fresh and saltwater environments to securely protect and store vessels up to 32,000 lbs.

Still Deciding? Talk to a HydroHoist Boat Lift Expert Today

At HydroHoist, we understand that every boater's needs are unique. That's why we offer customizable solutions for diverse environments, vessels, and dock systems. Whether you require a convenient and reliable dry-docking solution for a small personal watercraft, a mid-sized pontoon, or a cabin cruiser, we can tailor a boat lift configuration to fit your dock setup and accommodate your specific boat size, weight, and hull type.

 

Contact us today to discuss your requirements and get a free quote. We’ll connect you with an authorized HydroHoist boat lift dealer in your area so you can get a customized boat lift for sale.

FAQs

  • What’s the difference between a cantilever and a vertical boat lift?

Cantilever and vertical boat lifts differ primarily in their lifting mechanism and suitability for various water conditions. Cantilever lifts utilize a pivoting, H-shaped frame and leverage, often assisted by cables and a winch, to lift the boat in an arcing motion. This design is generally simpler, requires less maintenance, and excels in shallow water with minimal water level fluctuations (Boat Lover's Towel, 2025).

 

In contrast, vertical lifts employ a cable and pulley system to raise and lower boats straight up and down. Their greater lifting height makes them better suited for deeper water and areas with significant water level changes. Generally, vertical lifts can handle a wider range of boat sizes and weights and provide easier access to the sides of the boat when docked.

  • How do I calculate the lift capacity I need for my boat?

Start by finding the dry weight of your boat from the manufacturer's specifications or your owner's manual. Then, add the weight of a full tank of fuel (gasoline weighs approximately 6 pounds per gallon) (Ita Yachts Canada, 2024). Don't forget to include the weight of freshwater and wastewater in their respective tanks (water weighs about 8.3 pounds per gallon). Finally, account for the weight of all the gear and equipment you typically keep on board, including batteries, coolers, fishing gear, and safety equipment.  



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