The convenience provided by boat lifts cannot be overstated. Far too often, the hassles of launching and retrieving their vessels discourage boaters from doing what they enjoy. If you’re finally ready to pull the trigger on the investment that will undoubtedly elevate your boating experience, this article discusses everything you need to know about buying a boat lift and why HydroHoist should be your primary consideration.
How to Choose the Right Boat Lift: Basics & Key Considerations
Key Takeaways
A boat lift protects your vessel from the damaging effects of prolonged water exposure, making your boating experience more convenient while preserving the watercraft’s performance and value.
Different types of boats have distinct structural and weight distribution needs, with hull shape, propulsion system, and onboard equipment directly impacting the kind of lift required to support them safely and effectively.
While a boat lift with lower upfront costs may be tempting, investing in a higher-quality lift with lower maintenance requirements can be more cost-effective in the long run.
A boat lift is one of the most transformative investments for your boat ownership experience, enabling you to easily launch and retrieve your vessel without the hassles of trailering. Storing your boat on a lift when not in use protects it from the damaging effects of prolonged water exposure, mitigating issues like hull blisters, marine growth, corrosion, and impact damage from debris or collisions. With a quality boat lift, you spend less time preparing your boat and more time doing what you enjoy.
Below, we walk you through everything you need to know before buying a boat lift to help you make an informed decision on the optimal solution for protecting your boat.
Basics: Types of Boats, Water & Dock Conditions
Different types of boats have distinct structural and weight distribution needs, with hull shape, propulsion system, and onboard equipment directly impacting the kind of lift required to support them safely and effectively. For instance, pontoon boats benefit from wide, evenly spaced bunks to support their dual or tri-tube design, while deep-V hulls require angled bunks that conform to their contours. A lift tailored to your boat’s geometry ensures even weight distribution and minimizes hull stress.
Factoring in your typical waterfront conditions is also critical when buying a boat lift. Water depth, tidal fluctuations, bottom composition, and wave activity all influence the type of lift that will perform best in your environment. For example, areas with shallow or fluctuating water may call for a floating lift or cantilever system, while rougher conditions might require a more robust, four-post configuration for added stability.
Lift Types & Features
Boat lifts generally fall into three primary categories: bottom-standing, floating, and suspended. The type of dock you have—floating, fixed, or seawall-mounted—will largely determine which lift style works best for your location. While some dock setups can accommodate different lift designs, in most instances, there will be an optimal solution.
Here’s an overview of the most common lift designs to help you get a better idea of what fits your needs:
Bottom-Standing Lifts: Bottom-standing boat lifts are freestanding systems that rest directly on the lake or seabed using legs or frames, making them ideal for areas with firm, shallow bottoms and minimal water fluctuation. They’re commonly used with fixed docks and offer stable, reliable support without requiring permanent pilings or bulkheads.
Floating Lifts: Floating boat lifts are buoyant systems that rise and fall with the water level, making them ideal for locations with variable water levels or floating docks. They typically use air chambers or pontoons to support the boat and can be installed without permanent pilings, offering flexibility and ease of relocation.
Suspended Lifts: Suspended boat lifts are mounted directly to overhead structures like boathouse beams or dock roofs, allowing the boat to be hoisted above the water without any contact with the lakebed. They’re ideal for deep water or areas with soft or uneven bottoms where bottom-standing lifts aren’t feasible. Suspended lifts can also be mounted to seawalls, pilings, or dock posts, provided the structure is strong enough to support the weight of the lift and boat.
Most leading 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. Check out our blog on “How Does A Boat Lift Work” to learn more.
Sizing & Capacity
When purchasing a boat lift, selecting one with the appropriate weight capacity is the most crucial consideration. Ensure the lift can support the wet weight of your fully loaded boat, including all the gear and equipment stored onboard. A good rule of thumb is to choose a system capable of lifting 20-25% more than your boat’s wet weight to avoid overloading the lift and risking mechanical failure and potential damage.
Next, your lift should be wide enough to accommodate the boat’s beam, including any rub rails. We recommend allowing for a few inches on either side for safer entry and exit. The lift must also be able to lower enough to allow your boat to float off and raise high enough to keep the keel and props above the waterline, even during high-water events. Boats with extended swim platforms, trim tabs, or outboard motors may require custom bunk spacing or guide-ons to ensure proper alignment, support, and protection during lift operation.
Installation & Regulations
Before pulling the trigger on a lift, check the local zoning laws, permitting requirements, and environmental regulations that govern waterfront construction in your area. In Florida, for example, lift installations often require approval from multiple agencies, including the Florida Department of Environmental Protection, the Army Corps of Engineers, and municipal zoning boards (Breezy Permits, 2023). These reviews assess impacts on seagrass beds, water circulation, and navigability, and may even involve submerged land leasing.
Meanwhile, Great Lakes states like Michigan and Ohio may enforce seasonal restrictions and shoreline setback rules to protect aquatic habitats. Always consult with a marine contractor or permitting specialist to avoid delays and costly violations. In many cases, an authorized boat lift dealer should be able to help navigate these installation requirements, including site preparation and compliance with the National Electrical Code (Angi, 2023).
Maintenance, Longevity & Cost
Taking a proactive approach to boat lift maintenance helps prevent costly repairs and ensures safe, reliable operation season after season. We also recommend adding essential boat lift accessories, such as canopies, bumpers, and guides, to enhance protection further.
Depending on the lift type you end up choosing, key maintenance tasks may include:
Cable-drawn Lifts: Inspect winch gears, pulleys, and cables for rust or fraying and tension loss.
Hydraulic Lifts: Check fluid reservoirs, hoses, valves, and actuator seals for leaks or wear.
Floating Lifts: Monitor air chambers, valves, flotation tanks, and tethering points.
Regularly rinse the lift components with fresh water to remove dirt, algae, and other debris. This is especially important in more corrosive saltwater environments. Lubricate moving parts according to the manufacturer’s recommendations to ensure smooth operation and minimize wear and tear. In regions with freezing temperatures, follow the manufacturer’s recommendations for winterizing the lift. This may involve draining fluids, protecting exposed components, and disconnecting batteries to prevent damage.
Cost Considerations & ROI
The cost of a boat lift can vary widely based on several factors, with prices ranging from around $4,300 for smaller manual lifts to upwards of $28,000 for high-capacity models with advanced features and customization options (Vanquish Boating, 2023). Let’s take a closer look at the factors behind this variability:
Lifting Capacity: The larger and heavier the vessel, the more robust the lifting system needs to be. For instance, supporting boats weighing between 4,000 and 20,000 pounds typically require a four-post lift, while vessels exceeding 20,000 pounds may need six to eight poles for support.
Lifting Mechanism: As you might expect, manual boat lifts with cable-drawn systems are far more affordable than lifts utilizing advanced hydraulic or hydro-pneumatic systems, which deliver effortless, quieter, and faster operation.
Features and Customization: Remote control operation, solar-powered motors, guide-ons, and canopy systems can significantly increase the overall cost of a boat lift. While these upgrades exponentially enhance convenience and protection, we recommend assessing which features are essential for your boating lifestyle to get optimal value for money.
While a boat lift with lower upfront costs can be tempting, investing in a higher-quality lift with lower maintenance requirements can be more cost-effective over time. You spend far less on bottom painting, hull cleaning, and corrosion-related repairs. Should you decide to sell your boat, a well-maintained hull can increase its resale value by 10-20%. And perhaps most importantly, the time and effort saved by a lift means more spontaneous trips and quality time on the water.
Choosing a Brand & Dealer
Local marina operators are often your most reliable resource when choosing boat lift brands and dealers. Marinas typically have firsthand experience with local lift installers and dealers, and know which solutions and setups work best in local waterfront conditions. Local boating clubs are also a great source of peer-reviewed advice, brand comparisons, and referrals to trusted installers.
Once you’ve narrowed down your options, here are some questions to ask your dealer:
Are you factory-certified to install and service the lift?
Can you help me navigate the local permitting process?
What is the availability of service and parts if I need them?
Can you provide references from other boat owners in my area?
Ultimately, a trusted dealer isn’t just a vendor – they’re a long-term partner in protecting your vessel and enhancing your boating lifestyle. As such, choosing a brand with an extensive dealer and distributor network ensures you have access to certified technicians, replacement parts, and customer care when you need it most.
Model Examples & Use Case Scenarios
To help you visualize the right lift for your boat, here are three sample setups for common vessel types, each matched with a HydroHoist model.
Scenario 1: The Lakefront Pontoon
Boat: 25-foot Pontoon, approx. 6,500 lbs wet weight.
Location: Floating dock on a reservoir with fluctuating water levels.
Recommendation: HarborHoist – This free-floating lift can be tied to a dock or pilings, making it ideal for locations with fluctuating water levels or limited dock space.
Key Features: The HarborHoist’s level-lifting frame ensures the boat remains level throughout the lifting and lowering cycles, preventing hull strain. It also features full-length walkways mounted over the tanks, allowing owners to access their vessels whether raised or lowered.
Scenario 2: The Tournament Wake Boat
Boat: 23-foot V-drive wake boat, approx. 7,000 lbs wet weight.
Location: Fixed dock in a planned community lake.
Recommendation: UltraLift 8800 – This floating boat lift features an innovative design that keeps all steel parts above the waterline, preventing corrosion and marine growth.
Key Features: The UltraLift 8800 features rugged, custom-molded polyethylene tanks, heavy-duty torsion bars, and adjustable expansion channels. It also comes standard with push-button operation and one of the fastest lifting and lowering cycles in the industry.
Scenario 3: The Saltwater Center Console
Boat: 28-foot center console, approx. 11,000 lbs wet weight.
Location: Coastal canal in a saltwater environment.
Recommendation: UltraLift 14,000 – This model provides the necessary capacity and is equipped with upgraded stainless steel components and sacrificial anodes to combat the harsh saltwater environment.
Key Features: HydroHoist’s UltraLift Series lifts use Grade-8 pivot hardware for superior strength and corrosion resistance.
Disclaimer: These are illustrative examples. Consult your dealer for precise model recommendations and pricing.
Buyer's Checklist
Use this checklist to gather information before you contact a dealer.
1. Boat Information
Make, Model, Year:
Dry Weight (from manual):
Length Overall (LOA):
Beam (width):
Fuel Capacity (gallons):
Water/Ballast Capacity (gallons):
Estimated Gear Weight:
Calculated Wet Weight + 20% Buffer:
2. Site Assessment
Dock Type (Fixed / Floating):
Slip Width & Length:
Water Depth (at normal & low levels):
Water Fluctuation (daily/seasonal range):
Water Type (Fresh / Salt / Brackish):
Bottom Condition (Mud / Sand / Rock):
Electrical Access (distance, voltage):
3. Lift Requirements
Minimum Capacity Needed:
Preferred Lift Type (Floating, Free-Floating):
Desired Accessories (Canopy, Remote Control, Guides):
Conclusion
Choosing the right boat lift is about more than matching capacity; it’s about protecting your investment, streamlining your routine, and maximizing long-term value. By factoring in your waterfront conditions and boating habits, you can invest in a solution that aligns with your unique needs.
Ready to re-imagine the boundaries of boating convenience? Contact us today at 1-800-328-8945 or use the dealer locator tool below to get a list of authorized HydroHoist dealers with boat lifts for sale near you.
FAQs
Can I install the lift myself, or should I use a professional?
While leading manufacturers provide detailed boat lift installation instructions, we strongly recommend hiring a professional to do the job. Certified installers have the specialized equipment and expertise to ensure the lift is assembled safely, properly secured, and perfectly balanced for your specific boat. Apart from ensuring optimal performance and protecting your investments from the risks of an improper setup, professional installation is often required to validate your warranty.
How do water‐level fluctuations impact lift choice?
Water-level fluctuations—whether from tides, seasonal changes, or reservoir management—directly influence which type of boat lift will perform reliably. In areas with significant variation, floating lifts are ideal because they rise and fall with the water, maintaining consistent clearance and access. Fixed bottom-standing lifts may become unusable during low water or require deeper installation to remain effective.
What happens if I leave my boat in water vs a lift?
Leaving a boat in the water exposes its hull to constant moisture, leading to algae growth, blistering, and accelerated corrosion of underwater metals. This requires frequent, costly cleaning and anti-fouling paint, and it can permanently diminish the boat's performance and resale value. A lift keeps the hull dry and clean, preserving its condition, saving you money on maintenance, and ensuring it's ready to use at a moment's notice.
References:
Breezy Permits (October 5, 2023). List of 9 common requirements to obtain a permit for a dock, seawall, or boat-lift in Palm Beach County
Angi (Sept. 7, 2023). Where Are GFCI Outlets Required? A Complete Guide
Vanquish Boating (September 7, 2023). Boat Lift Prices: A Comprehensive Guide.
