Custom-sized boat lifts from 4,000 lb skiffs to 30,000 lb yachts, installed by Tampa dock builders who size every lift to the actual boat — not a guess off a brochure.
The number-one mistake we see on Tampa Bay docks is undersized lifts. A 10,000 lb lift looks fine on paper for a 9,800 lb boat — until you fuel up, add gear, hit it with a wave, and the motors strain on every cycle. We size every lift with a real safety margin built in.
We work with every major Tampa boat lift manufacturer — Golden, Imm Quality, Deco, Hi-Tide, and others — and we'll recommend the model that fits your boat, your slip, your power situation, and your budget. No brand loyalty getting in the way of the right pick.
Most boat lift installations in Tampa run $8,000-$25,000 depending on capacity, motor type, and whether new pilings are needed. Add-ons like remote controls, GFCI shore power, and lift covers add to the total.
The rule we use: capacity should be 25-30% above the boat's dry weight with full fuel and water. A 12,000 lb dry weight boat with full tanks (call it 14,000 lb wet) needs a 16,000-18,000 lb lift minimum. Skimping here is where you find yourself replacing motors at year 5.
We also factor in beam width (does the boat fit between the beams with clearance?), cradle length (full hull support — never just the transom), and water depth at low tide (the lift needs to fully clear bottom even at the lowest tide of the year).
If you're upgrading boats in the next 2-3 years, tell us. We'll size for the future boat, not just the current one — it's cheaper to oversize the lift now than retrofit later.
Site visit: We measure your slip, check water depth at high and low tide, evaluate existing pilings (if you have a dock), and discuss your current and future boat plans.
Spec & quote: We send a written quote with a specific lift model recommendation, capacity, and what's included — motors, cables, controls, electrical, hardware.
Permitting (if needed): Most lift installs on existing pilings don't need permits. New piling installations require county and FDEP review.
Installation: 1-3 days on-site for most residential lifts. Pilings driven (if new), beams and cables installed, motors and controls wired, lift tested under load.
Walkthrough: We run the lift through several cycles with you, walk through maintenance (rinsing, cable inspection, motor care), and you get warranty paperwork before final payment.
Service Area: Boat lift installation across Tampa, Davis Islands, Apollo Beach, Riverview, Westchase, St. Petersburg, Clearwater, Safety Harbor, Palm Harbor, Dunedin and the rest of Hillsborough and Pinellas County.
Most residential boat lifts in Tampa run $8,000-$25,000 fully installed. A 7,000-10,000 lb cradle lift on existing pilings starts around $8,000. Larger lifts (16K-30K lb) and lifts requiring new pilings run $15,000-$25,000+. PWC lifts are $1,500-$3,500.
Size the lift 25-30% above your boat's wet weight (dry weight plus full fuel and water). A 10,000 lb wet boat needs a 13,000-15,000 lb lift minimum. Oversizing slightly is much cheaper than replacing undersized motors at year 5.
Usually, yes. If your existing pilings are in good condition and properly spaced, we can mount a lift directly. If pilings are too old, too far apart, or too close together, we'll add new pilings during the install — adds about $2,000-$4,000 to the project.
Aluminum-frame lifts with stainless hardware last 20-25+ years in Tampa Bay if you rinse them regularly and replace cables every 5-7 years. Motors typically last 10-15 years before rebuild. Cheap painted-steel lifts fail in 8-12 years — never install those in salt water.
Installing a lift on existing dock pilings usually doesn't require a separate permit. If you're adding new pilings for the lift, you'll need county and FDEP review — about 4-6 weeks. We handle all permitting in-house regardless.
Most clients combine multiple services in one project. Bundling saves money and consolidates permitting.