As a captain, I regularly had boats hauled out of the water for maintenance. Vessels require being pulled from the water for bottom paint, propeller prop speed application, thru hull replacements, and more. With that said, there are two types of lifts primarily responsible for lifting vessels at marinas and ship yards. The two types of lifts are the boat travel lift and the marina forklift. Understand the difference between a boat travel lift vs marina forklift.
What Is A Boat Travel Lift
One of the largest pieces of equipment in a marina or at a shipyard is a travel lift. Travel lifts are designed to haul large vessels out of the water.
Importantly, the lift is fitted with hoist slings that are positioned from the top of the lift down beneath the hull in two or more locations.
The lift is moveable and is powered by either a diesel engine or electric motor. The remote control allows the operator to raise and lower the boat, move the lift, and more. Combined with the motor’s ability to move the lift, hydraulics power the ability to lift and lower the vessel.
Often, the lift will move a vessel into a position where it will be loaded onto boat stands for service.
How Much Weight Can A Travel Lift Carry
Without question, boat travel lifts are workhorses. They can carry a significant load, which is why they are highly valuable in marina and shipyard operations.
In regards to weight capacity, the most robust travel lift can carry up to 200,000 pounds.
What Is A Marina Forklift
If you have had the opportunity to visit a marina with a dry rack, you have surely witnessed forklifts racing to and from the water on a constant basis.
As a captain and boat owner, I relied heavily on forklifts to get vessels in and out of the water when needed. In comparison, the forklift works differently than the boat travel lift. Rather than slings, the forks are positioned beneath the hull to support it during transport.
When retrieving a boat from the rack, the forks are raised to lift the boat free. Conversely, the forks are lowered into the water when launching the vessel.
Importantly, the forklift is driven by a powerful diesel engine. In regards to raising and lowering the vessel, it operates similarly to a travel lift. Hydraulics control the upward and downward movement of the forks.
How Much Weight Can A Travel Lift Carry
Although marina forklifts are powerful, they do not have the same lifting capacity as that of a travel lift.
A forklift at a marina is capable of lifting vessels weighing up to 55,000 pounds. Again, the difference between the travel lift is significant. However, dry rack marinas do not accommodate yachts and other vessels over that weight.
When I was working as a captain, I had a 32-foot Cabo Express hauled for a hurricane. The Cabo weighed just under 20,000 pounds. However, I’ll admit I was nervous. The lift strained to raise the boat out of the water. I was concerned about it failing and damaging the boat.
Differences In Cost Between A Marina Forklift Vs Boat Travel Lift
Without question, marinas and shipyards are required to make a significant investment when it comes to boat lifts. Here is the difference in pricing between a travel lift and a forklift.
Marina Forklift
When it comes to cost, a forklift can range between $150,000 to over $500,000. The price range varies based on the lifting capacity, features, and customizations to match the marina property. One of the top rated forklifts for marine purposes is the Wiggins Marina Bull.
Boat Travel Lift
Again, the pricing is highly dependent on the weight capacity of the lift. Small lifts in the 25,000-75,000 ton range cost between $200,000 and $500,000. Bump it up to a mid-sized 75,00-200 ton travel lift. The price increases to $500,000 to 1 million dollars. Lastly, the largest lifts with a 200 plus ton capacity and cost over 1 million dollars.
Boat Travel Lift Vs Marina Forklift: Serve The Same Purpose
Both the travel lift and the forklift serve the same purpose. The purpose is to retrieve boats from the water and launch boats back into the water. Additionally, both lifts are capable of moving the vessel into the desired position. That can be for storage, maintenance, or onto a trailer. Importantly, travel lifts are more highly rated in regards to lifting capacity, while the forklift is more maneuverable.
