How to Size a Boat Lift for Your Boat and Slip
Updated 2026-09-25 · JP Williams Construction LLC
The short answer
Size a boat lift to your boat’s fully loaded weight, not its dry weight. Add the engines, fuel (gasoline weighs about 6 lb per gallon), water, batteries, and gear, then choose a lift rated comfortably above that total. The lift also has to fit your boat’s beam and work in your slip’s water depth at low tide.
How do I figure out my boat’s real weight?
Start with the manufacturer’s dry weight, then add everything that’s on board when the boat comes out of the water:
- Engine(s) — often listed separately from the hull’s dry weight.
- Fuel — about 6 lb per gallon of gasoline, so a 100-gallon tank adds roughly 600 lb.
- Fresh water and livewells — about 8.3 lb per gallon.
- Batteries, T-top, electronics, and gear.
How much extra capacity should I have?
Choose a lift rated comfortably above your loaded weight so it isn’t working at its limit every trip. It’s also smart to plan for your next boat — replacing a lift later costs far more than sizing up now.
What about beam and water depth?
The lift’s cradle has to fit your boat’s beam, and the lift has to lower the boat far enough to float it off at dead-low tide. Many back-bay slips go shallow at low water, so we check depth across the tide range before recommending a lift.
Will my dock support a boat lift?
A lift loads its pilings heavily. We check your existing pilings and dock framing, and adapt or add piles so the lift installs solid. We’ve installed lifts up to roughly 24,000 lb with custom aluminum gangways.
Which lifts do you install?
We’re an authorized Hurricane Boat Lifts dealer and installer — corrosion-resistant aluminum lifts built for saltwater, from PWC lifts to large center consoles.
Common questions
What size boat lift do I need?
One rated comfortably above your boat’s fully loaded weight — dry weight plus engines, fuel, water, batteries, and gear — that also fits your beam and your slip’s low-tide depth.
How much does gasoline add to my boat’s weight?
About 6 lb per gallon. A full 100-gallon tank adds roughly 600 lb.
Can you add a lift to my existing dock?
Usually yes. We assess your pilings and framing and reinforce them where needed so the lift installs solid.
Ready to talk about your project? Learn more about our boat lifts service in Brigantine and the South Jersey shore, or request a free estimate — call (609) 573-0610.