Low profile boat lifts remove the need for the overhead beams to be present which many people simply don’t like. These beams are very common on most boat lifts, but these days’ people don’t want to see them, so the low profile version has increased in popularity. In many cases, the overhead beams are very unsightly and continue to look worse with age.

Low profile boat lifts are very safe and convenient for year round use. They are also great as a method of dry storage. They come with a rigged galvanized steel construction ensuring a very solid and durable construction.

They also come with outside walkways which make your boat lift very accessible from all directions. This is very important to consider as it makes things much more convenient and safer to use. They are also built with stainless steel cables and sheaves, again providing a very strong method of construction. The low profile boat lifts have the advantage of being much more aesthetically pleasing.

Low profile boat lifts don’t block your water front views. They also offer a constant level lift mechanism and can support very large and heavy boats. They are also known to be very quiet and require very little maintenance. Low profile boat lifts are ideal for salt and fresh water.

In contrast to the low-profile boat lift, the overhead beam boat lift is the oldest type of boat lift on the market. For this reason, it is the most longstanding and has proven to be a great design (despite its appearance). These types of lifts are powered by worm gear driven winches, which let you easily raise your boat higher out of the water (should you need to), which is especially important during bad weather conditions. This option is not available to many low-profile boat lifts, so this is something to consider if you live in areas affected by tides or storm weather.

The overhead beams give an additional tie and structural support to the boat lift, which adds to the construction quality and durability of the lift itself. If you want a conventional look and a very strong frame, then the overhead beam is the ideal choice of boat lift for you.

These lifts are generally constructed from galvanized steel, and use stainless steel cables, with machined aluminum cable winders. They also have enclosed covers to protect them from outside factors and use nylon, aluminum or stainless steel sheaves.

While both types of boat lift offer advantages, the durability and practicality issues are the most important to consider first. If you need to have your boat lifted higher out of the water, then you should choose the overhead beam boat lift. If this is not a concern for you, then you might want to choose the more visually pleasing low profile boat lift.

There are a number of custom designs that you can have built, depending on which boat lift you choose. You should speak to your boat manufacturer in order to verify that the boat lift you are choosing is right for your boat.

Low Profile Boat Lifts
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Overhead Beam Lifts
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Personal Watercraft (PWC) Lifts
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Boat House Boat Lifts
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Eight Piling Lifts
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Whichever boat lift you decide upon should be a well-thought-out decision that meets your specific needs. It is extremely important to sell yourself the lift, not let a salesperson pressure you into a "less-than-optimal" solution. Boat lift systems are a substantial investment and a decision that you will live with for years. Once you are fully aware of all your options, the decision of exactly which boat lift is right for you will become self-evident.