Frequently Asked Questions

Marine Travelift was founded in 1954 in Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin, building on the world’s first mobile boat hoist, designed there in the 1940s. We’ve been engineering and manufacturing boat handling equipment ever since, and our facilities remain in Sturgeon Bay today.

Our headquarters and manufacturing plant are at 49 E Yew St, Sturgeon Bay, WI 54235. We also have expanded operations serving the Mid-Atlantic and Florida regions, backed by a distributor network that spans Africa, Asia, South America, Europe, Australia, and North America.

More than 4,500 Marine Travelift units are currently in use at marinas, boatyards, and shipyards around the globe.

Yes. We’re certified by QAS to ISO 9001:2015, which means our quality management system is independently verified to consistently meet customer and regulatory requirements. Our equipment also meets CE compliance standards for customers operating internationally.

Four core product lines: BFMII mobile boat hoists (25–100 metric tons), C-Series mobile boat hoists (150–1,500 metric tons), Hydro M_Drive marine forklifts (15,000–52,000+ lbs.), and self-propelled hydraulic transporters (20–100+ metric tons). Each line is built to be customized around your yard’s specific vessels and layout.

BFMII hoists handle vessels roughly 25–100 ft. in length and are the standard choice for marinas, yacht clubs, and sailboat clubs. The C-Series is built for much larger vessels from roughly 130–328 ft., including ferries, tugs, and superyachts — and is typically found at industrial shipyards and refit yards.

Our Hydro M_Drive forklifts lift can launch vessels from about 15–50 ft. in length, with capacities from 15,000 to 52,000+ lbs. They’re built around your existing drystack infrastructure, with configurable wheelbases and mast heights.

Transporters are self-propelled units designed to work alongside a boat hoist to move boats to storage faster and store them more efficiently, on land only (they’re not designed for use in water). Capacities range from 20 to 160+ metric tons, covering vessels from about 25 ft. up to 150 ft. and larger.

Yes, Customization is central to how we build. Height, width, cab configuration, engine type, wheelbase, mast height, steering systems, remote controls, and dozens of other options can be tailored to your yard’s exact vessels and footprint. If you need something not listed, our sales team can typically build to spec.

Variable Width lets a single hoist or transporter adjust its width to safely accommodate different beams and cradle sizes. That means you can block boats closer together during storage, unlocking yard space that a fixed-width machine can’t reach. It’s available on BFMII and C-Series boat hoists, as well as on transporters (in single- or double-variable configurations).

Yes. Our Battery Powered Electric Series boat hoist option delivers zero emissions with the same work capacity, ease of use, and operational efficiency as a diesel unit. It underwent 18 months of performance testing across weather conditions, load configurations, and travel distances before release.

Reach out through our Contact page, call (920) 743-6202, or email sales@marinetravelift.com. Because most machines are configured to the customer’s specs, we work directly with you (or your local distributor) to scope the right model and options before quoting.

Both. We have an in-house sales team and the largest dedicated distributor network in the industry, with local representatives across six continents who can support you through purchase and beyond.

Yes. Previously owned hoists, forklifts, and transporters come up periodically on our Used Equipment page. Availability changes regularly, so contact sales@marinetravelift.com or (920) 743-6202 for current inventory.

Lead times vary by product line, capacity, and how customized the build is. Your sales representative can give you a current build schedule when you request a quote.

It Includes comprehensive machine inspections, preventative maintenance programs, operator and maintenance training, OEM parts, remote diagnostics, and load testing- all backed by our in-house field service technicians and global distributor network. Full details are on our Customer Care page.

A multi-point inspection covers wire rope cables, hoist and drive brakes, fluid levels, performance and pressures, safety items, slings, rigging, steering alignment, structure, tires, chains, and more. Additional preventative maintenance (fluid and filter changes, lubrication, alignment) can be added on.

Yes, for units up to 100-ton capacity we can ship a purpose-built test fixture to your facility for load testing, eliminating the need to fill water tanks or balloons. A machine inspection is completed first to clear any safety issues.

Yes, Ask about our Master Service Program for scheduled, recurring maintenance visits. Contact our team to get set up.

Yes. Our training package includes onsite basic operator instruction from an experienced Marine Travelift technician, guidance on daily and regular machine maintenance, and completion certificates for all attendees.

Submit a request through our parts portal or contact Customer Care directly. We carry an extensive in-house inventory of genuine OEM parts and ship globally.

It’s free, built-in support that lets our factory technicians diagnose issues, identify faulty parts, and adjust program parameters remotely,  often without needing to send a technician to your site.

Yes. Our equipment is engineered to perform at its full rated capacity on every lift, not a de-rated or “typical use” figure.