Patent ID: 7536965

Claim:
A method for removing a watercraft from the water and depositing said watercraft on an upper surface of a dock with no intervening structure therebeneath, the steps comprising: a) providing a boat lift having a hollow vertical mast rotatable about a fixed, central support, said vertical mast having a cradle assembly affixed at a lower, distal end thereof adapted to receive upon and support said watercraft, said vertical mast being selectively movable between a lower position wherein said watercraft is immersed at a floatable depth in water and an upper position wherein said watercraft is elevated above the surface of both said water and of a dock proximate said boat lift assembly; b) installing an auxiliary lift assembly comprising a mast extension, a horizontal arm, and means for securing a cable disposed on said horizontal arm to an upper, proximal end of said vertical mast; c) attaching at least one cable to said means for securing a cable and to a watercraft while said watercraft is afloat and said cradle assembly is disposed at least a predetermined distance below a hull of said watercraft; d) vertically moving said vertical mast from a position whereat said cradle assembly is disposed at least a predetermined distance below said hull of said watercraft to a position where said hull is above an upper surface of a dock adjacent said boat lift and said cradle assembly is at a level lower than a bottom of said dock; and e) pivoting said vertical mast and said auxiliary lift assembly so that said watercraft is positioned over said upper surface of said dock and said cradle assembly is disposed beneath said dock.