A Buyer's Guide for Every Boat Owner
How to Choose the Right Boat Lift
Buying a boat lift is one of the most important investments you can make to protect your boat. This guide walks you through the key questions every boat owner should ask.
The right lift preserves your hull, keeps your boat ready to go, and holds up season after season. The wrong one can cause headaches, damage, or worse — a lift that fails when you need it most.
The good news? You don't have to figure this out alone. Econo Lift has been building boat lifts right here in Camdenton, Missouri since 1984, with a hands-on approach that big-box competitors just can't match. Whether you're buying your first lift, adding to your existing setup, or replacing an older unit, we'll help you find the right fit.
Talk to a real person, not a chatbot.
Our team answers your questions directly — no runaround, no wait times. Call Econo Lift today and get expert guidance for free.
Call (800) 524-7161Step 1
Know Your Boat
Before anything else, you need accurate information about the boat you're protecting. Getting this wrong is the most common — and most costly — mistake buyers make.
What is your boat's total weight?
This is the single most important number. Always calculate the fully loaded weight: boat, motor, fuel, gear, and any water that's taken on. Lifting capacity is not a suggestion — it's a safety spec. Econo Lift offers lifts from standard residential capacities all the way up to 20,000 lb.
How long is your boat?
Boat length determines the slip size you need. A common mistake is sizing only for weight and overlooking length clearance. Every Econo Lift product page includes slip size specifications for each model so you can match precisely.
What type of boat do you have?
Pontoon boats, bowriders, bass boats, and cabin cruisers all sit differently in the water and distribute weight differently on a lift. Some styles need wider bunks or specific arm configurations. If you're unsure, our team can help you match lift design to boat type.
Step 2
Understand Your Water Conditions
Location matters. A lift suited for a sheltered cove may not hold up to the currents and wake of a main channel. Match your lift to the real conditions it will face.
How deep is the water at your dock?
Water depth is one of the first questions to answer, since it directly affects which series will work at your location.
Draft Series is purpose-built for shallow water — low-profile tanks measure just 1.5 inches in height, and the multi-tank configuration spreads buoyancy across a wider, shallower footprint.
Surge Series is engineered for rough water environments. Its tanks measure 30 inches tall, providing the buoyancy and structural stability needed in high-wave, high-traffic conditions like Lake of the Ozarks. Surge is deep water only — not suitable for shallow water installations.
Meridian Series covers standard dock configurations in calm to moderate water, with eight models from 4,500 lb to 20,000 lb in both side mount and front mount options.
Double Charge and Jolt Series are built for personal watercraft in standard depth conditions, though final compatibility depends on your specific vessel and dock setup.
Water depth requirements vary by vessel as well as lift model. Our specialists will assist you in finding the right lift for your boat. Contact Econo Lift today.
How rough does your lake get?
If your dock is on a main channel, a busy lake like Lake of the Ozarks, or exposed to regular wave action and boat wakes, you need a lift engineered for those conditions. The Econo Lift Surge Series features a V-shaped tank design that disperses wave impact, double arm bushings, and a frame that's 2 feet wider — purpose-built for demanding environments.
Is your dock in a slip, on open water, or a combination?
Enclosed slips buffer wave action and may allow a standard lift. Open-water installations on main channels or wide-open lakes require heavier-duty engineering. If you're on a dock with multiple boats and high traffic, talk to us about load dynamics and placement.
Econo Lift Series: A Quick Comparison
| Meridian Series | Surge Series | Draft Series | Jolt / Charge | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Best for | Calm to moderate water | Rough water, main channel | Very shallow water | Personal watercraft |
| Capacity range | 4,500–20,000 lb | 8,000–12,000 lb | 4,500–6,500 lb | 1,100–4,500 lb |
| Mount type | Side & front | Side only | Side only | Front only |
| Tank height | 24 inches | 30 inches | 1.5 inches (low-profile) | 24 inches |
| Tank back design | Flat | V-shaped (wave dispersion) | Multi-tank, wide footprint | Single flat tank |
| Frame | Standard | Reinforced, 2 ft wider | Multi-tank, wide footprint | Standard |
| Arm bushings | Standard | Double-bushed | Standard | Standard |
| Ideal water depth | Shallow to moderate | Deep water only | Minimal depth only | Shallow to moderate |
Our team works with you to find the right fit. We ask the right questions, assess your conditions, and guide you to the lift that will serve you best.
Step 3
Think About Installation & Long-Term Use
A lift that's great on paper but hard to install, maintain, or adjust isn't the right lift for you. Ask the practical questions upfront.
Who will install the lift?
At Econo Lift, installation isn't an afterthought — it's part of what we do. We sell, and we install. Our experienced installers know our products inside and out, which means every lift goes in correctly, safely, and is built to perform. Proper anchoring, leveling, and rigging make all the difference in how a lift holds up over time.
Will your dock or shoreline require any customization?
Unusual dock configurations, non-standard water depths, or specific environmental conditions may require customization. Econo Lift is a manufacturer — not just a reseller — which means we can work through custom requirements that off-the-shelf competitors simply can't accommodate.
Step 4
Built to Perform. That's the Point.
Econo Lift has been manufacturing boat lifts in Camdenton, Missouri, since 1984. Three generations of family ownership. USA-only hot-dip galvanized steel throughout. Tanks rotationally molded in-house from 100% virgin polyethylene — no seams, no welds, no shortcuts.
Every lift we build — regardless of series, capacity, or application — uses the same steel and the same materials. That consistency isn't an accident. It's the standard we've held for over 40 years, and it's what our warranty reflects.
We back every lift with a lifetime warranty on tanks and bushings, a 5-year warranty on all hot-dipped galvanized steel, and a 3-year warranty on motors, valves, and hoses. That warranty is valid for the first owner and requires qualified installation. We stand behind the product because we know how it's built.
Our customers don't come back because we're inexpensive. They come back because the lift is still in the water, still working, years later.
100% Virgin Polyethylene
No reground or recycled plastic. Our tanks use only virgin material for maximum stability.
Fully Galvanized Steel
Every metal component is hot-dip galvanized — not just painted or coated.
In-House Manufacturing
Built at our Camdenton, MO facility — quality controlled at every step.
We Service What We Sell
All repair technicians are Econo Lift employees — contact us anytime.
Step 5
Your Boat Lift Checklist
Not sure where to start? That's what we're here for. Our team guides you through the right questions — you don't need to have all the answers before you reach out. But if you want a head start, here's a helpful reference:
Even if you only have some of this, give us a call — we'll help you work through the rest.
We're Here When You're Ready
Real Help, Whenever You Need It
At Econo Lift, customer service isn't an afterthought — it's what we're built around. When you reach out, you'll hear from people who genuinely know boat lifts and will give you straight, honest answers. No pressure, no runaround. Just real help finding what works for your dock, your boat, and your water. Whether you're buying your first lift, adding to your existing setup, or replacing an older unit, we'll help you find the right fit.
Get Started Today
Find the Perfect Lift for Your Boat
Family-owned and American-made since 1984 — our team is ready to help you choose the right lift.