When buying a boat lift, it is very important that you seriously consider the type of electric motor that each comes with. The motor is used in the boat lift to drive a gear reduction unit which then turns a driveshaft. There are cables on the driveshaft that let the slings or cradle be used in order to lift the boat from the water.

The motor makes the process much easier than manually spinning the wheel of a boatlift, which is what used to be done. The boat lift motor saves you a lot of effort and makes the process much smoother and safer.

The main differences that will be found in different electric motors are the power output, and the number of motors that are contained inside the boatlift. Of course, there are some boat lifts that are designed for much larger and heavier boats. These boatlifts may contain a number of more powerful motors within the mechanism.

The choice of which boat lift motor to opt for becomes much less confusing when you know the difference and choices that you have open to you. Right now, the most popular motor choices are between the direct drive or chain drive winch mount, and the wheel to wheel drive.

We will look at each of these in more detail.

The winch mount direct drive and chain drive are very popular. They are supported and produced by many different manufacturers. They are also able to be used on many different types of boat lifts. This type of motor replaces the wheel on the boat lift. They are easily operated with the use of a key, toggle switch or key fob remote.

They are powered by 12v DC or 110v AC. There are also some models that have other specifications such as a 24v, or the ability to double the lift speed of the boat. These types of electric motors also come with a backup which means you can still use the boatlift if the main power source fails. This is very important for safety reasons.

These motors also come with at least two year warranties and have optional accessories such as solar panels. The average price for such motors is between $650 and $900.

Most electric motors have the option to be internally rewired for 220v AC - the higher voltage typically draws half the current and the resistance inherent in the power delivery system to the boat site will have therefore have less voltage drop - especially useful if the boat lift is situated some distance from the power source.

Now let’s look at the wheel to wheel drives.

These drives are able to fit to almost any hoist and are available in both 12v and 110v models. You can also find them with remote controls if you need this feature. They are very solid when mounted and allow you to keep the wheel on your lift. These types of units have been in production for a long time and the mounting hardware that is provided allows the motor to be attached to almost any lift.

Boat lift electro motors are very easy to find and replace for all types of hydraulic, pontoon and floating boat lifts. You will find that the majority of boat lift motors are quite reasonably priced and can be matched to most types of boat lifts. They are also very simple to operate and don’t require very much maintenance. If you are building your own boat lift or repairing one, then you will also find that they are easy to install, and last many years.

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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.