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Buying a Bigger Boat? How to Upgrade Your Boathouse Lift to Support a Heavier Boat

by Abbey Senesi
Buying a Bigger Boat? How to Upgrade Your Boathouse Lift to Support a Heavier Boat

Maybe you just bought a new boat or a house with an existing boat lift. Either way, congratulations! Trouble is, now you’re not sure if the lift will be able to support your larger boat. 

We’re here to help!

Our team at R.J.’s Boat Lifts has more than 35 years of experience in the boat lift industry and is here to help you upgrade your lift setup to meet your needs and the needs of your boat.

This guide will discuss how you can upgrade your existing (or new) boathouse lift to support a larger boat — and our team is here to help you along the way!

First, you’ll need to start by asking these questions:

1. What kind of lift do you have? If you’re looking to upgrade your lift, you likely have a boathouse lift with either a cradle or straps. These types of lifts can be easily upgraded with the addition of a new motor, straps, etc. That being said, the following questions and guide will be for boathouse lifts with either cradles or straps. If that’s you, read on!
 
An aluminum boat cradle for a boathouse lift by R.J.'s Boat Lifts in Central Florida.
Boathouse lifts with a cradle or straps can be upgraded to increase their weight capacity. 

However, if you have a free-standing lift, it likely cannot be upgraded past its maximum weight. Most free-standing lifts are prefabricated out of aluminum and cannot be widened or strengthened with the addition of different cables or motors, so you’ll likely need to purchase a new model. However, you can add ToonRails to accommodate pontoon or tritoon boats.
 
If you have a free-standing lift, feel free to contact our team with questions and to see what’s best for you and your new boat!
 
Looking to buy a boat lift, but aren’t sure which kind to get? Check out our full boat lift buyer’s guide!
 
2. What are its weight specifications? Start by checking the specifications of your lifts’ existing motor and cradle or straps. Many cradles, straps and motors will list the model number or type, so this should be fairly easy to locate.
 
Then, note your existing cable type and strength. We recommend talking to your local boat lift installers to verify this information and help you determine your lift’s max weight.*
 
3. What is the dry weight of your new boat? Find out from your dealer what your boat’s dry weight is. Once a boat is on the water, additional weight is added from things like the ballast and supplies— so it’s important to get a lift that has a maximum weight* that is stronger than your boat’s dry weight.
 
4. What model is your new boat? Boat lifts aren’t all created equal. If your old boat was a bass boat with a v-hull but you’re purchasing a pontoon or a tritoon, you’ll most likely need to add ToonRails in order to safely lift your new boat. Read more below!
 
*Please note that if your cradle is rated for 5,000lbs, that means it’s maximum capacity is 5,000lbs.
 
Now that you know what your lift’s existing specifications are and what you’ll need to support your new boat, it’s time to explore your options.

But first, a word of warning:
 

Remember: a boat lift is only as strong as its weakest link. So if you upgrade your motor to support a 10,000lb boat but don’t upgrade your cradle, the lift will still only support the maximum load your cradle supports. So be sure to consult your local boat lift expert before making any upgrades!

Now, here are three things you can do to increase the weight of your boathouse lift.

1. Upgrade the motor.

Most boathouse motors are either 1 or ¾ HP Our team typically recommends installing a 1 HP motor as it has a higher lifting capacity, so you’ll be ready for future upgrades.

A 3/4 boat hoist motor for a boathouse lift by R.J.'s Boat Lifts in Clermont, Florida.
One horsepower motors are stronger and can support larger boats.
  

If you have an existing lift with a smaller motor, you’ll want to upgrade it to accommodate your larger boat, depending on the gear plate. If you aren’t sure what it’s current capacity is, feel free to contact our team — we’d love to help!

Having trouble with your motor? Check out our boat lift maintenance guide and repair and maintenance FAQ page.

2. Upgrade the cradle.

Your cradle will be rated for a particular kind of boat and have a maximum weight it can support. These maximums range anywhere from 4,000lbs up to 10,000lbs, so if you’re looking to upgrade, there’s plenty of room to grow.

A bass boat on a boat hoist cradle for a boathouse lift by R.J.'s Boat Lifts in Clermont, Florida.
Boat lift cradles are made to support a variety of boat types and weights.
 

If you have straps, we recommend checking with your boat lift dealer/installer to get their exact capacity or see if you need to upgrade those as well.

3. Upgrade the cables.

Boat lift cable is incredibly sturdy, whether it’s made from stainless or galvanized steel. If you want to increase your lift’s weight, it typically involves adding snatch blocks and doubling the cable length, giving your lift a higher maximum.

Steel cable wrapped around a boat hoist for a boathouse lift by R.J.'s Boat Lifts in Clermont, FL
Boat lift cable is incredibly sturdy, whether it's galvanized or stainless steel.
 

You also want to be sure your cables aren’t fraying or rusted — so having them inspected is a good idea regardless!

Have questions about your cable? Read our boat lift cable comparison guide and cable maintenance guide!

As mentioned, if you’re getting a pontoon or tritoon and didn’t have one previously, be sure to add ToonRails to your lift. These will replace the bunks on your lift, allowing it to lift your boat from the deck and not from the pontoons themselves.

For questions or for more information on how to upgrade your lift, feel free to call our office at 352-394-5666 or email our head of office at pam@rjsboatlifts.com.

Happy boating!

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