boatlift

A boatlift is a device designed to raise and lower boats between bodies of water that differ in elevation, typically to overcome vertical changes in canals, rivers, marinas, or shipyards. A boat sits in a watertight cradle or tub that is guided by rails or a fixed frame, and the cradle is moved by hydraulic, electric, or mechanical drives to align with the target water level. The system may use water level changes, ballast, or counterweights to balance the boat during transfer, and is often paired with gates or lock mechanisms to control water flow.

There are several fundamental configurations. Vertical lifts move the cradle straight up and down along guide rails and are common in inland waterways and marina installations. Rotating lifts, such as a large, wheel-like mechanism, use synchronized caissons to transfer boats between two canal levels by rotating the boats through a full circle or partial arc. Inclined plane lifts move boats on an inclined track or cradle, combining elements of access ramps and lifts, though they are less common in modern installations.

Notable examples include the Anderton Boat Lift in England, opened in 1875, a vertical hydraulic lift connecting the River Weaver with the Trent and Mersey Canal. The Falkirk Wheel in Scotland, opened in 2002, is a rotating boat lift that balances and transfers boats between two canals with a single continuous motion. Other countries operate various hydraulic, electric, or mechanically driven lifts in canal networks, marina facilities, and shipyards to reduce the need for multiple locks and conserve water.

Operational considerations include safety, maintenance requirements, energy use, and integration with existing water-control infrastructure. Boat lifts are selected based on water level differentials, boat sizes, site constraints, and cost.