There is provided a storage system for storing and retrieving watercraft or other items to or from a storage position in a storage area as part of an enclosure having a plurality of storage areas. The storage system may include at least one carrier to support the item during movement to or from a storage position, and a positioning system to move the carrier system. An elevator system is usable to move the positioning system and carrier system to and from a storage area, and a control system is usable to control the positioning system to move the carrier system and item into and out of its storage position.

There is provided a storage system for storing and retrieving watercraft or other items to or from a storage position in a storage area as part of an enclosure having a plurality of storage areas. The storage system may include at least one carrier to support the item during movement to or from a storage position, and a positioning system to move the carrier system. An elevator system is usable to move the positioning system and carrier system to and from a storage area, and a control system is usable to control the positioning system to move the carrier system and item into and out of its storage position.

A system for conveying a barge over a levee in a level attitude providing for safety and avoidance of damage to the barge, the levee, and of persons, where a barge is to be conveyed from a waterway, over a levee, through a floodgate in a floodwall, and into a maintenance building, and the reverse operation, by placing a barge in a drydock, resting on support blocks, aligning the drydock with the floodgate, placing level-raising tractors with tractor controllers underneath the barge, raising the barge off of the support blocks, and rolling and lifting the barge over the levee while keeping the barge in a level attitude, optionally under the additional control of a person using a hand-remote tractor controller.

A system for conveying a barge over a levee in a level attitude providing for safety and avoidance of damage to the barge, the levee, and of persons, where a barge is to be conveyed from a waterway, over a levee, through a floodgate in a floodwall, and into a maintenance building, and the reverse operation, by placing a barge in a drydock, resting on support blocks, aligning the drydock with the floodgate, placing level-raising tractors with tractor controllers underneath the barge, raising the barge off of the support blocks, and rolling and lifting the barge over the levee while keeping the barge in a level attitude, optionally under the additional control of a person using a hand-remote tractor controller.

A watercraft lift system including one or more laterally-adjustable components and a related method are disclosed. The watercraft lift system can include a cradle assembly and optionally at least one side guide, which can be connected to the cradle assembly. The cradle assembly can include substantially parallel first and second cradle rails. One or both of the first cradle rail and the at least one side guide can be movable in a lateral direction between a wider watercraft-receiving position and a narrower watercraft-received position. In an example, lateral movement of the first cradle rail and/or the at least one side guide from the watercraft-receiving position to the watercraft-received position occurs automatically upon entry of a watercraft into the confines of the watercraft lift system. The watercraft lift system can further comprise an actuator to cause lateral movement of the first cradle rail and/or the at least one side guide. In an example, the actuator can be operably connected to the first cradle rail and/or the at least one side guide via one or more cables or extension plate members.

A watercraft lift system including one or more laterally-adjustable components and a related method are disclosed. The watercraft lift system can include a cradle assembly and optionally at least one side guide, which can be connected to the cradle assembly. The cradle assembly can include substantially parallel first and second cradle rails. One or both of the first cradle rail and the at least one side guide can be movable in a lateral direction between a wider watercraft-receiving position and a narrower watercraft-received position. In an example, lateral movement of the first cradle rail and/or the at least one side guide from the watercraft-receiving position to the watercraft-received position occurs automatically upon entry of a watercraft into the confines of the watercraft lift system. The watercraft lift system can further comprise an actuator to cause lateral movement of the first cradle rail and/or the at least one side guide. In an example, the actuator can be operably connected to the first cradle rail and/or the at least one side guide via one or more cables or extension plate members.

Provided are two drop tubes and two case tubes with each case tube slidably receiving an associated drop tube. A sub-structure below the two drop tubes is formed of two wheels and two side plates. Each side plate is adapted to couple an associated wheel with an associated case tube. A super-structure above the two drop tubes is formed of two wings. Each wing has a C-shaped configuration. The two wings are positionable in a first orientation parallel with the drop tubes. In the first orientation, the two wings are laterally spaced from a vessel when the drop tubes are horizontal for transporting the vessel. The two wings are positionable in a second orientation perpendicular to the drop tubes. In this second orientation, the two wings form a cradle for supporting the vessel thereupon when the drop tubes are vertical for launching and retrieving the vessel.

Provided are two drop tubes and two case tubes with each case tube slidably receiving an associated drop tube. A sub-structure below the two drop tubes is formed of two wheels and two side plates. Each side plate is adapted to couple an associated wheel with an associated case tube. A super-structure above the two drop tubes is formed of two wings. Each wing has a C-shaped configuration. The two wings are positionable in a first orientation parallel with the drop tubes. In the first orientation, the two wings are laterally spaced from a vessel when the drop tubes are horizontal for transporting the vessel. The two wings are positionable in a second orientation perpendicular to the drop tubes. In this second orientation, the two wings form a cradle for supporting the vessel thereupon when the drop tubes are vertical for launching and retrieving the vessel.

An onboard lift for a pontoon boat has four legs pivotally attached underneath a platform and extending between the outer pontoons. Each leg terminates in a slide foot. The pivot pin for each leg is canted, such as at 13 relative to horizontal. In a stowed position, the legs and slide feet extend forward in the direction of travel and tight to the platform. When used to lift the boat, actuation of the legs pushes the slide feet outward due to the cant of the pivot axis, such that the slide feet are positioned underneath the outer pontoons when the boat is fully raised. The control allows separate powering of the front legs from the rear legs, and further has a display so the user can see the amount of extension of each set of legs.

An onboard lift for a pontoon boat has four legs pivotally attached underneath a platform and extending between the outer pontoons. Each leg terminates in a slide foot. The pivot pin for each leg is canted, such as at 13 relative to horizontal. In a stowed position, the legs and slide feet extend forward in the direction of travel and tight to the platform. When used to lift the boat, actuation of the legs pushes the slide feet outward due to the cant of the pivot axis, such that the slide feet are positioned underneath the outer pontoons when the boat is fully raised. The control allows separate powering of the front legs from the rear legs, and further has a display so the user can see the amount of extension of each set of legs.