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.

A watercraft lift with rearward and forward lateral beams, left and right side longitudinal side beams, a pair of left side lifting arms, a pair of right side lifting arms supporting at their upper ends left and right side watercraft supports, and left and right side actuators pivotally attached to the left and right side rearward lifting arms. In one embodiment the left side rearward lifting arm and the left side actuator rotate about their pivotal attachments to the longitundinal left side beam in a left side plane, and the right side rearward lifting arm and the right side actuator rotate about their pivotal attachments to the longitundinal right side beam in a right side plane.

A watercraft lift with rearward and forward lateral beams, left and right side longitudinal side beams, a pair of left side lifting arms, a pair of right side lifting arms supporting at their upper ends left and right side watercraft supports, and left and right side actuators pivotally attached to the left and right side rearward lifting arms. In one embodiment the left side rearward lifting arm and the left side actuator rotate about their pivotal attachments to the longitundinal left side beam in a left side plane, and the right side rearward lifting arm and the right side actuator rotate about their pivotal attachments to the longitundinal right side beam in a right side plane.

A boat lifting crane includes an upper frame, which in turn has two upper beams, and at least two pairs of carriages. Each carriage of each pair is mounted so that it can move on a respective upper beam and can translate for a respective stroke portion. The boat lifting crane further includes at least one lifting belt, which is extended between two carriages of a same pair of carriages. At least part of the stroke portion of a carriage of a pair of carriages is superimposed on at least part of the stroke portion of a carriage of another pair of carriages.

A boat lifting crane includes an upper frame, which in turn has two upper beams, and at least two pairs of carriages. Each carriage of each pair is mounted so that it can move on a respective upper beam and can translate for a respective stroke portion. The boat lifting crane further includes at least one lifting belt, which is extended between two carriages of a same pair of carriages. At least part of the stroke portion of a carriage of a pair of carriages is superimposed on at least part of the stroke portion of a carriage of another pair of carriages.

An aluminum boat hoist carrier is configured to lift a vessel above a ground surface. The boat hoist carrier has a first aluminum c-channel having a first plurality of block attachment openings, at least one first channel grease opening, a first plurality of structure attachment openings, and a second plurality of structure attachment openings. Two billet aluminum pillow blocks are attached to the first and second plurality of structure attachment openings. A second c-aluminum channel has a second plurality of block attachment openings, at least one second aluminum channel grease opening, a third plurality of structure attachment openings attached to the first billet aluminum pillow block, and a fourth plurality of structure attachment openings attached to the second billet aluminum pillow block.

An aluminum boat hoist carrier is configured to lift a vessel above a ground surface. The boat hoist carrier has a first aluminum c-channel having a first plurality of block attachment openings, at least one first channel grease opening, a first plurality of structure attachment openings, and a second plurality of structure attachment openings. Two billet aluminum pillow blocks are attached to the first and second plurality of structure attachment openings. A second c-aluminum channel has a second plurality of block attachment openings, at least one second aluminum channel grease opening, a third plurality of structure attachment openings attached to the first billet aluminum pillow block, and a fourth plurality of structure attachment openings attached to the second billet aluminum pillow block.

A watercraft lift system including one or more laterally-adjustable components and related methods 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 related methods 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 boat lift includes posts and 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.