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 floating boat lift having flotation tanks positioned under sides of a frame of the boat lift and a transverse flotation tank that communicates with the flotation tanks. Water flow is regulated so that tanks fill from near the center of the boat lift. Water is accepted into or pumped from the flotation tanks, allowing the frame of the boat lift to fall or rise relative to the surface of the water.

An automated system is provided for moving a boat from a storage position in a boat garage to a deployed position in a dock channel. The system can include a boat trolley. The boat trolley can include a bottom frame that couples to and rides on rails of a track that extends between the boat garage and the dock channel. The boat trolley can also include an upper frame that with bunker supports for supporting the hull of the boat. The upper frame can be lifted off of the lower frame by a dock lift mechanism to thereafter lower the upper frame into the water, from which the boat can be deployed. Once done using the boat, the user can navigate the boat onto the upper frame, and the dock lift mechanism used to lift the upper frame and boat out of the water, the upper frame then dropped onto and coupled to the lower frame, and the boat trolley operated to move the boat from the dock to the boat garage for storage.

An automated system is provided for moving a boat from a storage position in a boat garage to a deployed position in a dock channel. The system can include a boat trolley. The boat trolley can include a bottom frame that couples to and rides on rails of a track that extends between the boat garage and the dock channel. The boat trolley can also include an upper frame that with bunker supports for supporting the hull of the boat. The upper frame can be lifted off of the lower frame by a dock lift mechanism to thereafter lower the upper frame into the water, from which the boat can be deployed. Once done using the boat, the user can navigate the boat onto the upper frame, and the dock lift mechanism used to lift the upper frame and boat out of the water, the upper frame then dropped onto and coupled to the lower frame, and the boat trolley operated to move the boat from the dock to the boat garage for storage.

A boat lift bunk includes elongate bottom and top walls and a pair of elongate first and second side walls that interconnect the bottom and top walls. The first side wall includes at least one longitudinal T-slot for receiving and retaining the head of a threaded connector such that a threaded post of the connector extends exteriorly of the first wall of the bunk for connecting the bunk to a cradle beam or other underlying supportive boat lift structure.

A boat lift bunk includes elongate bottom and top walls and a pair of elongate first and second side walls that interconnect the bottom and top walls. The first side wall includes at least one longitudinal T-slot for receiving and retaining the head of a threaded connector such that a threaded post of the connector extends exteriorly of the first wall of the bunk for connecting the bunk to a cradle beam or other underlying supportive boat lift structure.

A boat lift includes four posts and four linear actuators, each attached to one of the posts. Each linear actuator includes an extendable and retractable member oriented for extension and retraction substantially parallel to the post. Ends of a first pair of the extendable and retractable members are connected to a first carrier and ends of a second pair of the extendable and retractable members are connected to a second carrier. A cradle or platform is supported by the first and second carriers. The boat lift may be supported by the ground, by a structure, for example, a dock, a sea wall or a wall of a boat house, or by pontoons.

A home structure can have an integrated nautical garage and boat slip. The boat slip can be defined entirely under the home such that the boat can be located entirely under the home within the residential setback envelope for the home. The nautical garage can include a lift mechanism for lifting the boat out of the water. The lift mechanism can have a no profile deck that aligns substantially flush with the floor of the nautical garage when the boat is fully raised. The nautical garage can have a roll down shutter and/or door that can be closed to close off an opening of the nautical garage (e.g., once the boat has been navigated into the nautical garage). The boat slip can optionally be defined by a U-shaped culvert.

A home structure can have an integrated nautical garage and boat slip. The boat slip can be defined entirely under the home such that the boat can be located entirely under the home within the residential setback envelope for the home. The nautical garage can include a lift mechanism for lifting the boat out of the water. The lift mechanism can have a no profile deck that aligns substantially flush with the floor of the nautical garage when the boat is fully raised. The nautical garage can have a roll down shutter and/or door that can be closed to close off an opening of the nautical garage (e.g., once the boat has been navigated into the nautical garage). The boat slip can optionally be defined by a U-shaped culvert.

A catamaran lifting apparatus is disclosed for lifting objects in a marine environment. The apparatus includes first and second vessels that are spaced apart during use. A first frame spans between the vessels. A second frame spans between the vessels. The frames arc spaced apart and connected to the vessels in a configuration that spaces the vessels apart. The first frame connects to the first vessel with a universal joint and to the second vessel with a hinged connection. The second frame connects to the second vessel with a universal joint and to the first vessel with a hinged or pinned connection. Each of the frames extends upwardly in an inverted u-shape, providing a space under the frame and in between the barges that enables a marine vessel to he positioned in between the barges and under the frames.