New Lift Technology Increases Efficiency

Technological advances in the maritime industry are coming at a rapid pace, filling the market with tools to make boating easier, safer and more enjoyable. Whether fueled by anticipated rule and regulatory changes or based on customer feedback, several companies have launched new products sure to alter how people boat.

Sunstream SunLift
Sunstream Boat Lifts focused on greater reliability and durability when redesigning its freestanding hydraulic boat lift product line. Called SunLift X, the product retains the features of previous SunLift lines, but adds new pump technology with Bosch valves, solenoids and components, as well as a new Quick Disconnect coupling. The new coupling features knurled grooves and wrench flats for easier connection and its nickel plating makes it extremely corrosion resistant. Replacing a typical gear pump with a pressure-balanced pump increases speed and efficiency by up to 20%.

Ken Hey, CEO and founder of Sunstream said the SunLift X was originally launched as the SunLift SLX and rebranded this year to reflect the new hydraulic pump technology. “This is the most advanced hydraulics ever designed for boat lifts. It offers faster operation and a smoother quieter sound,” he said.

An existing problem with hydraulic lifts is that they experience hydraulic lock when pressuring in the down position. To prevent this, Sunstream added a pressure relief valve to both the lowering and raising sides.

According to Hey, the SunLift X has been outselling the SunLift Legacy 20 to 1. He said consumers appreciate the advances of the lift, especially combined with the app that allows users to operate the lift from their phones and also to see data and diagnostics for the lift.

SunLift X is assembled in the United States using parts made in Germany and Italy.

Wiggins eBull
The California Air Resources Board has passed an amendment to its commercial harbor craft regulations to require boats in the state’s marinas and ports to transition to zero-emission engines by 2035. A similar mandate was passed for cars, trucks, and SUVs and other states have followed suit. It’s no secret that the air around ports is often smog-filled so the new regulation was not a surprise. For the Wiggins company based in California, the new rule became an opportunity to revamp its forklift technology.

They recently introduced the Wiggins Marina eBull, a heavy-duty, electric-powered forklift that meets the zero-emission standards while retaining the same power as traditional lifts. The eBull features a unique battery management system with high-voltage lithium-ion battery packs. Hydrogen fuel cells enable the forklift to produce no emissions while also reducing the noise and vibration of the forklift’s operation. With no fuel needed and minimal maintenance requirements, Wiggins said the eBull will also lower operating costs for marinas.

The forklift is fabricated, painted, and welded at the Wiggins manufacturing plant and the hydraulic cylinders are built onsite. The only part not made in the California-based plant is the power train.

HydroHoist HarborHoist H2
The popularity of boat lifts has been increasing steadily through the years as more boaters are seeing the benefits of keeping their boat stored out of the water, but still easily accessible. HydroHoist has been producing boat lifts for as long as they have been in use, but the company is continually striving to improve its offerings to meet consumer demand. HydroHoist’s latest boat lift is the HarborHoist H2, a free-floating boat lift that ties to docks or piles to give added boat space without adding docks. The free-floating design adjusts to changing water levels automatically to keep the boat out of the water in changing tides and waves. In the event of storms, the lifts can be easily removed to avoid damage.

Ron Martin, director of distribution centers and marina sales said the innovation answered the call for increased capacities in a free-floating lift. H2 can accommodate weights from 5,000 pounds up to 21,000 pounds.

The design of the HarborHoist H2 can be configured to most boat designs and hull shapes. Polyethylene tanks and corrosion-resistant aluminum materials prevent damage from harsh waterfront conditions. A pushbutton controller powers the 120-volt AC motor. In addition, “The new control unit with remote and app-based application allows the customer to operate their lift from the comfort of their phone,” said Martin.

Since the release of the lift in early 2024, customer response has been positive, with units selling both in the United States and internationally.