Cantilever Boat Lifts vs Vertical Lifts: Which Is Better?

The Importance of Choosing the Right Boat Lift

Boat owners use many tools to make boating easier and safer, including boat lifts. As the name suggests, boat lifts raise and suspend your boat out of the water. Storing your vessel this way helps prevent prolonged exposure to corrosive elements or algae. Out of the lifts on the market, two have risen in popularity: cantilever and vertical lifts. 

These lifts function a bit differently from each other:

• Cantilever Lifts : Simple design and moves your boat out of the water like a seesaw. The lift is built with an over-center design which can lock and store your boat in a stable position.

• Vertical Lifts: The more complex of the two as it uses a system of pulleys and cables that move your boat vertically. Your boat is housed in a durable frame and can be easily loaded and handled no matter the water level. 

Both of these lifts do a great job of storing your boat safely. However, each boat has different needs and requirements for proper storage. Continue reading on to figure out which lift is best for keeping your beloved boat safe and pristine.

Cantilever Boat Lifts

This lift uses a leverage system to raise the vessel above the water. Cantilever lifts are constructed with two H-shaped frames that transfer the boat’s weight from the cradle to the base of the frames. A cable is pulled in either a diagonal or horizontal motion to position the frames to a stable position for storage.

Advantages

• Easier to operate : By utilizing leverage, the manual operation of the lift becomes easier as the boat is raised out of the water.

• Require less maintenance: The structure utilizes fewer moving parts such as fewer cables to raise your boat. Fewer parts mean less need to inspect and replace parts routinely.  

• Suitable for shallow water: Using a lever system doesn’t require having a lot of water depth to raise and store your boat. 

Disadvantages

• Limited weight capacity: A big drawback to the leverage system is that it only suits small to medium-sized boats. Larger vessels require more force to lift.

• More exposure to elements: Cantilever boat lifts can be placed in seawater, but it’s not recommended. Saltwater can corrode the metal, destroying its integrity and requiring frequent repairs and replacements. Algae may also grow on the material if it’s submerged for long periods.

Vertical Boat Lifts

Unlike the leverage design of the cantilever lifts, vertical types are built to raise your boat above rough waters. Vertical lifts use a cable and pulley system that is attached to a motor-powered shaft, along with deep pilings installed as support. When the boat is placed into a cradle, the cable wraps around the shaft, lifting the vessel high above the water. 

Advantages

• Higher weight capacity: By design, vertical lifts are available to accommodate much larger boat weights. A standard vertical lift can range from boats weighing from around 4,500 pounds to well over 200,000 pounds.  

• Suitable for various boat types: The high lifting functionality and compact design allow for the lift to accommodate various boat shapes and sizes.

• Better protection from elements: Vertical lift materials such as aluminum, are suitable for both deep and shallow water depths, holding strong no matter the corrosive elements that rub against it. 

Disadvantages

• More complex to install: For stability, vertical lifts typically need pilings installed within the water for support which allows the system of pulleys and cables to make for a much more complex installation process. 

• Higher maintenance needs: Due to the more complex system of cables and pulleys, continual life use leads to more wear and tear. Depending on use, boatowners may find themselves needing to maintain the cable's integrity often.

Comparing Costs

Due to their simplistic design, cantilever lifts will have a lower price point than a standard vertical lift. With the complex system of cables, pulleys, and the additional pilings needed, a vertical lift can be a big expense for your boat storage. 

Looking at the long term, vertical lifts come out on top. A cantilever lift works well but is limited in how long it can last in certain conditions since prolonged exposure causes materials to degrade quickly. With how much you might end up paying to repair a cantilever lift, it might be better to pay more upfront for a vertical lift.

Factors to Consider

• Type of water body (shallow vs. deep) - Each lift excels in different environments. Cantilever lifts are best used in more shallow water depths while the more sturdy structure of vertical lifts work great for deeper water depths. 

• Boat size and weight - The cantilever is best suited for smaller to medium-sized vessels as leverage needs space for the pivot point. Vertical shaft cables allow for accommodating much larger vessels for proper storage. 

• Frequency of use - Between the two, vertical lifts are better suited for frequent use, as the resistant design allows for repeated storage uses across different boat types.

Give Your Boat the Perfect Lift

If you're looking for an affordable and straightforward lift to keep your boat stored on the lakefront, a cantilever lift is a great investment. However, if you prioritize longevity and durability, a vertical lift is the ideal storage solution for you.

Whichever lift you lean towards, you are making one of the best choices you can as a boatowner. Proper storage of your vessel protects your investment, keeping it beautiful for the many boating trips ahead. 

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