One of the major benefits of a chain driven boat lift is that they have the drive sprocket welded directly to the shaft. This makes the operation much more solid and functional. Besides this, it is also a good idea as it means that no shear prone bolts are used in the connection. This gives the boat lift much more forgiveness because of the chain connection used, proving more flexibility and reducing any stress when it is put under force while lifting the boat from the water.

Chains also provide a positive direct drive from the motor to the shaft. Because boat lifts are very heavy pieces of equipment, chains are often known as the best type of mechanism to use. The chain drives only work with one speed but this provides the user with more ability to lift heavier loads without strain (which means they are great for very heavy boats).

The major down-side of a chain drive is that it will rust over time. This will occur more rapidly if you don't oil or use the boat lift regularly. Those people who only use their boats during a few months of the year, are likely to see rust appearing if they don't regularly oil it.

Now let’s look at the benefits of using a boat lift with a belt drive. The first obvious benefit is that it will not rust like a chain drive will.

With a well maintained boat lift, the belts should not need to be replaced very often. Many people have the view that they need to be replaced more often but this is not the case. Of course this depends on the level and quality of maintenance, but with greasing and good care, they should last for many years.

Using a boat lift belt is better than a chain in respect to the noise that is produced during working time. They are also said to be safer than other systems and the belts are designed and created to slip should they be overloaded, or even if they are jammed.

On top of this, they are very cheap to replace (under twenty dollars) and last for over a decade in most cases. In comparison to the chain mechanism, they are safer as the boat will not drop if the belt breaks or comes off. This is a very strong safety feature which you need to take into consideration.

On the other hand, a chain mechanism can jam and cause the motor to overheat. The chain drive itself can also overheat, a cable could break, the gear could fail and the chain might break. This would cause your boat to fall from the platform.

Another advantage of the belt is that the motor can be mounted in the best position, to ensure that water cannot be trapped in the housing.

As you can see, the belt drives are much safer, cheaper and less likely to cause problems. For this reason you are advised to find a belt drive for your boat lift.

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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.