Patent ID: 8388265

Claim:
A lifting system for watercraft, comprising: a base assembly; a ground support assembly for supporting the base assembly at a desired location; a frame assembly defining a plurality of attachment locations, where the frame assembly is supported by the base assembly for rotation between first and second positions relative to the base assembly; an actuator operatively connected to the frame assembly such that the extension and retraction of the actuator causes the frame assembly to move between the first and second positions; first and second bunk rail assemblies, where each bunk rail assembly comprises a plurality of load distribution members each defining a bearing surface and at least one slot; a rail member defining an inner surface, where the inner surface envelops the plurality of load distribution members such that the plurality of load distribution members are spaced from each other, and the bearing surfaces of the plurality of load distribution members engage the inner surface of the rail member such that loads on the rail are transferred to the plurality of load distribution members, the bearing surfaces of the plurality of load distributions and the inner surfaces of the rail member are configured such that the rail member is capable of rotating relative to the plurality of load distribution members, and a pin associated with each attachment locations, where each pin rotatably connects the attachment locations to one of the plurality of load distribution members; and a bolt assembly associated with each of the slots in the plurality of load distribution members, where each bolt assembly extends through the slot associated therewith to attach the load distribution members to the rail member without interfering with rotation of the rail member relative to the plurality of load distribution members.