The 4-pile lifts are one of the most popular types of boat lifts on the market, but that doesn’t mean they will work for everyone’s situation. What if you’re on a canal where space is limited and you have to follow the homeowner’s association or other governing bodies’ regulations, but you still need to protect your boat and keep it out of the water? If you have tight conditions, narrow canals, you need to side mount your lift, or you cannot have 4 pilings, then an elevator boat lift could be the perfect solution for you.
An elevator lift works by moving your boat vertically in and out of the water and has a smaller footprint than the 4 post lift. These lifts are not susceptible to sway from wind and currents. If you have changing tides or moving water this can make it easier to get your boat on the cradle.
The Elevator Lift
An elevator lift is similar to many other mechanical boat lifts in operation and function but the configuration is very different. The boat rests on a set of aluminum bunks that are supported by two beams. The beams are raised and lowered by two stainless steel motors. Unlike 4-piling lifts or Boathouse lifts, where the cradle is suspended by cables from a top support structure, the Elevator lift has two vertical tracks that support the arms holding the boat.
Slope
An elevator lift can be mounted to a dock, pilings, or seawall. They come with an option for a 90-degree or 20-degree slope. The 90-degree option is the preferred choice for your boat lift.
If you do not have enough depth next to your dock or seawall to offload your boat then you can get an elevator lift with a 20-degree slope. This can set your boat out farther from your dock or seawall to give you enough depth for getting your boat on and off your lift.
You may also want the 20-degree slope if you have rock or a hard bottom close to your dock or seawall. This incline can give you enough distance away from the rock or hard bottom to allow you to bury your beams.
Marine Grade Aluminum
The Tide Tamer aluminum elevator lifts are made with 6061-T6 marine-grade aluminum, which is reliable and more resistant to corrosion. Marine-grade metals are specially treated to withstand use in water environments. These lifts also come with aluminum bunks and stainless steel cables to prevent rust. Aluminum bunks are more durable than pressure-treated wood, which will eventually rot. Wood also tends to float once lowered, which can cause trouble when loading your boat.
More Features
The Tide Tamer aluminum elevator lift is powered by a direct drive winch and comes complete with aluminum gearboxes and a weather-resistant Stainless Steel Motor for extra power. The rollers are greased from the outside, which means you do not need to disassemble your lift to grease them. It also has an enclosed direct-drive aluminum winch with an internal oil bath that is rust-resistant, quiet, and dependable. You can add a wireless remote control to raise and lower your lift with the press of a button.
At Boat Lift Warehouse, we offer boat lifts for many different types of boats and situations. If you have special space requirements or are looking for a low-profile boat lift, check out our aluminum elevator boat lifts today.
