Patent ID: 6782842
Filing Date: 2004-08-31
Classification: B63B

Abstract:
A boat-lift system adapted to move a smaller boat relative to a larger boat comprising a swim step, where the swim step defines an aft edge and a swim step surface and extends from a transom of the larger boat, the boat-lift system comprising:a fixed structural support defining a first pivot portion, wherein the structural support is adapted to be rigidly connected to the transom of the larger boat such that the first pivot portion is arranged below the swim step surface and forward of the aft edge of the swim step; a lift structure defining a second pivot portion, an actuator portion, an extension portion, and first and second boat-engaging portions extending from the extension portion; a pivot system for connecting the first and second pivot portions to allow rotation of the lift structure between first and second lift positions relative to the structural support about a pivot axis defined by the first pivot portion of the structural support; and an actuator assembly secured at a first end relative to the structural support and at a second end to the actuator portion of the lift structure, wherein actuation of the actuator assembly in a first mode causes the lift structure to rotate about the pivot axis from the second lift position to the first lift position, wherein when the lift structure is in the first lift position, the first boat-engaging portion extends over the swim step surface and the second boat-engaging portion extends rearwardly beyond the aft edge of the swim step, when the lift structure is in the second lift position, the first boat-engaging portion is spaced rearwardly of the aft edge of the swim step surface and the second boat-engaging portion extends below the first boat-engaging portion, and when the smaller boat is in a docking position adjacent to the lift structure and the actuator assembly is operated in the first mode, the lift structure moves the smaller boat from the docking position to a first storage position relative to the larger boat.