Pontoon forks are specifically designed for the marine industry to efficiently and safely lift and maneuver pontoon boats. The pontoon forks are engineered to lift tri-toons and pontoon boats of lengths up to and greater than twenty-eight feet. The forks can further accommodate weights of up to and greater than six-thousand pounds. Removable pockets included with the pontoon forks allow for the lifting and transport of pontoon boats of various sizes without having to have specialized equipment for each and every make and model of the pontoon boat. The pontoon forks are retrofit to fit specific forklifts already owned or easily acquired by marinas.

Pontoon forks are specifically designed for the marine industry to efficiently and safely lift and maneuver pontoon boats. The pontoon forks are engineered to lift tri-toons and pontoon boats of lengths up to and greater than twenty-eight feet. The forks can further accommodate weights of up to and greater than six-thousand pounds. Removable pockets included with the pontoon forks allow for the lifting and transport of pontoon boats of various sizes without having to have specialized equipment for each and every make and model of the pontoon boat. The pontoon forks are retrofit to fit specific forklifts already owned or easily acquired by marinas.

A boat lift control system includes a first contactor switch and a second contactor switch. Each contactor switch, when activated, couples an AC voltage source to a boat lift motor. The first contactor switch includes a first override button. The first contactor switch is activated when the first override button is engaged. The second contactor switch includes a second override button. The second contactor switch is activated when the second override button is engaged. The first contactor switch and second contactor switch are positioned to linearly align the first override button with the second override button. An electrically non-conductive interface is adapted for user manipulation thereof resulting in engagement of the interface with one of the first override button and second override button.

A boat lift control system includes a first contactor switch and a second contactor switch. Each contactor switch, when activated, couples an AC voltage source to a boat lift motor. The first contactor switch includes a first override button. The first contactor switch is activated when the first override button is engaged. The second contactor switch includes a second override button. The second contactor switch is activated when the second override button is engaged. The first contactor switch and second contactor switch are positioned to linearly align the first override button with the second override button. An electrically non-conductive interface is adapted for user manipulation thereof resulting in engagement of the interface with one of the first override button and second override button.

A buoyancy tank for a portable floatation apparatus which allows for the elevation of a watercraft above a water-line and which allows for the removal of the watercraft from a body of water. The buoyancy tank has at least one and/or a plurality of integrated cylindrical structures which supports the floatation apparatus in transport and storage. The integrated cylindrical structures provide sufficient support to allow the removal of the floatation apparatus by use of a boat lift and further provide sufficient support to allow a watercraft to be stacked on top of the floating apparatus while the floating apparatus is stacked on top of the floating apparatus for the purposes of storage. A plurality of said buoyancy tanks may be connected to the portable floatation apparatus by use of connecting means. The portable floatation apparatus should have a pumping device which pumps a sufficient volume of air into a plurality of the buoyancy tank which is effective to selectively and conveniently elevate a watercraft above a water line.

A buoyancy tank for a portable floatation apparatus which allows for the elevation of a watercraft above a water-line and which allows for the removal of the watercraft from a body of water. The buoyancy tank has at least one and/or a plurality of integrated cylindrical structures which supports the floatation apparatus in transport and storage. The integrated cylindrical structures provide sufficient support to allow the removal of the floatation apparatus by use of a boat lift and further provide sufficient support to allow a watercraft to be stacked on top of the floating apparatus while the floating apparatus is stacked on top of the floating apparatus for the purposes of storage. A plurality of said buoyancy tanks may be connected to the portable floatation apparatus by use of connecting means. The portable floatation apparatus should have a pumping device which pumps a sufficient volume of air into a plurality of the buoyancy tank which is effective to selectively and conveniently elevate a watercraft above a water line.

The invention relates to methods of putting a boat in the water and removing the boat from the water and to a boat launch and recovery platform (1) comprising a frame (10) for receiving a boat (2), flotation means (20) fixed to the frame (10), and a floating floor (30) coupled to the frame (10) so as to be vertically translatable. The launch and recovery platform (1) is arranged for, and the methods enable, a transition from a configuration in which the floating floor (30) rests on a support floor (11) when the launch and recovery platform (1) is out of the water, to a configuration in which the floating floor (30) floats on the surface (S1) of the water when the launch and recovery platform (1) is afloat.

The invention relates to methods of putting a boat in the water and removing the boat from the water and to a boat launch and recovery platform (1) comprising a frame (10) for receiving a boat (2), flotation means (20) fixed to the frame (10), and a floating floor (30) coupled to the frame (10) so as to be vertically translatable. The launch and recovery platform (1) is arranged for, and the methods enable, a transition from a configuration in which the floating floor (30) rests on a support floor (11) when the launch and recovery platform (1) is out of the water, to a configuration in which the floating floor (30) floats on the surface (S1) of the water when the launch and recovery platform (1) is afloat.

An apparatus and method for lifting a boat. The apparatus comprises a base frame, a lifting platform engagable upon the bottom surface of a boat, at least one lifting arm rotatably connected to each of the base frame and the lifting platform, wherein the at least one lifting arm is substantially horizontal at a lowered position and substantially vertical at a raised position and at least one linear actuator extending between the frame and a top surface of the at least one lifting arm so as to be extended at the lowered position and retracted at the raised position. The method comprises positioning the boat above the lifting platform in its lowered position and pulling on a top surface of the lifting arm with at least one linear actuator so as to rotate the at least one lifting arm from a substantially horizontal position to a substantially vertical position.

An apparatus and method for lifting a boat. The apparatus comprises a base frame, a lifting platform engagable upon the bottom surface of a boat, at least one lifting arm rotatably connected to each of the base frame and the lifting platform, wherein the at least one lifting arm is substantially horizontal at a lowered position and substantially vertical at a raised position and at least one linear actuator extending between the frame and a top surface of the at least one lifting arm so as to be extended at the lowered position and retracted at the raised position. The method comprises positioning the boat above the lifting platform in its lowered position and pulling on a top surface of the lifting arm with at least one linear actuator so as to rotate the at least one lifting arm from a substantially horizontal position to a substantially vertical position.