Boat Lifting Gantry Crane

Types of Boat Lifting Gantry Cranes

A. Fixed Gantry Cranes

Permanently installed at docks or shipyards.

Used for heavy-duty lifting (up to 100+ tons).

Often rail-mounted for precise positioning.

B. Mobile Gantry Cranes

Equipped with rubber tires or tracks for portability.

Suitable for marinas with multiple slipways.

Can be self-propelled or towable.

C. Adjustable/Modular Gantry Cranes

Height and span can be adjusted for different boat sizes.

Used in small boatyards for versatility.

 

Comparison: Boat Lifting Gantry vs. Travelift

Feature	Gantry Crane	Travelift
Mobility	Fixed or mobile	Always mobile (tires)
Capacity	Up to 200+ tons	Typically 25–100 tons
Cost	Lower (no pit needed)	Higher (requires pit)
Installation	Minimal foundation	Needs reinforced dock
Versatility	Adjustable for any boat	Limited to boat size

 

Choosing the Right Boat Gantry Crane

Factor	Consideration
Boat Weight	Select a crane with 20–30% more capacity than the max boat weight.
Boat Size	Ensure the span and height fit the boat's dimensions.
Environment	Stainless steel for saltwater resistance.
Mobility Needs	Fixed (permanent) vs. mobile (flexible).
Power Source	Electric (indoor) or diesel/hydraulic (outdoor).

 

Lifting Capacity 1 - 20 tons
Span (Width) 3 - 12 meters (adjustable)
Lifting Height 3 - 10 meters
Working Class A3-A5 (light to medium duty)
Hoisting Speed 0.5 - 8 m/min (variable)
Main Beam Type Single/double girder (box-type)
Power Supply 220V/380V 3-phase or manual
Control Mode Pendant control/wireless remote
Hoist Type Electric chain hoist/wire rope hoist
Travel Drive Manual push or motorized
Corrosion Protection Hot-dip galvanized or marine-grade paint
Wind Resistance Up to Beaufort scale 6 (for outdoor use)
Operating Temp -20°C to +50°C

 

 

1. Structural Components

A. Gantry Frame

Main Beam (Girder)

Single or double girder design (double for heavier loads)

Fabricated from high-strength steel (often corrosion-resistant for marine environments)

 

 

 

Vertical Legs

Adjustable height (hydraulic or mechanical) to accommodate different vessel sizes

Reinforced with cross-bracing for stability

Base Frame

Fixed or mobile (with wheels/tracks)

Outriggers for additional stability during lifts

 

End Carriages (Travel System)

Steel Wheels or Rubber Tires

Rail-guided wheels for precise movement (common in shipyards)

Pneumatic tires for mobile gantries on paved surfaces

Drive Motors (if motorized)

Electric or hydraulic drives for powered travel

 

 

2. Lifting Mechanism

A. Hoist System

Electric or Hydraulic Hoist

Wire rope hoists (10–200+ ton capacity) for heavy boats

Chain hoists (1–20 tons) for smaller vessels

Lifting Attachment

Spreader Bars (for even weight distribution)

Boat Cradles/Slings (custom-fit to hull shape)

Vacuum Lifters (for fiberglass/lightweight boats)

B. Trolley System

Motorized Trolley (for heavy loads)

Runs along the girder to position the boat

Manual Trolley (for light-duty applications)

 

 

3. Power & Control System

Electric Panel

3-phase (380V) or single-phase (220V) power supply

Variable frequency drives (VFDs) for smooth operation

Control Options

Pendant control (wired)

Wireless remote control (IP-rated for marine use)

Operator cabin (for large shipyard cranes)

4. Safety Components

Overload Protection

Load cells or mechanical limiters to prevent overloading

Limit Switches

Prevents over-travel of hoist/trolley

Anti-Sway System (for windy conditions)

Emergency Stop (fail-safe brakes)

Corrosion Protection

Galvanized steel or marine-grade paint

Stainless steel hardware

 

5. Optional Accessories

Weighing System (integrated load measurement)

LED Work Lights (for night operations)

Anti-Collision Sensors (for multi-crane environments)

Self-Propelled Drive (for mobile gantries)

 

SKETCH

 

Main technical

 

High Load Capacity (1–500+ Tons)

Capable of lifting small fishing boats to large yachts and commercial vessels.

Space-Efficient & No Pit Required

Unlike travelifts, gantry cranes don't need a submerged pit, saving dock space.

Adjustable for Various Boat Sizes

Span and height can be customized to fit different vessel dimensions.

Corrosion-Resistant Construction

Made with marine-grade steel, galvanized coatings, or stainless steel for saltwater durability.

Precise & Gentle Handling

Spreader bars/cradles prevent hull damage during lifting.

Mobility Options

Fixed (permanent installation) or mobile (wheeled/tracked for flexibility).

Lower Operating Costs

Cheaper maintenance than travelifts or marine railways.

Versatile Power Sources

Electric (indoor/clean environments) or diesel/hydraulic (outdoor/remote areas).

 

1. Marinas & Yacht Clubs

Launching/retrieving pleasure boats and sailboats.

Seasonal boat storage (stacking lifts).

2. Shipyards & Dry Docks

New vessel assembly (positioning hull sections).

Dry docking for repairs/maintenance.

3. Fishing Ports

Handling fishing trawlers and workboats.

4. Military & Coast Guard Bases

Deploying/rescuing patrol boats and RHIBs.

5. Emergency Salvage Operations

Recovering sunken or stranded vessels.

6. Boat Manufacturing Plants

Transporting hulls between production stations.

7. Floating Dock Systems

Pairing with floating platforms for tidal adjustments.

 

Marine travel lifts are specialized cranes designed for boat yards and marinas to lift vessels in and out of the water. The production process combines heavy steel fabrication, mechanical engineering, and precision assembly.
Key Production Stages
1. Design and Engineering Phase
CAD modeling and structural analysis

Load capacity calculations

Hydraulic system design

Customization for client specifications (capacity, span, etc.)

2. Structural Fabrication
Steel cutting (plasma, laser, or water jet)

Frame welding for the main girders and legs

Quality control of welds (X-ray or ultrasonic testing)

Shot blasting and priming of steel components

3. Mechanical Components Production
Manufacturing of wheel assemblies and travel mechanisms

Gearbox and drivetrain assembly

Hoist drum and wire rope system fabrication

Hydraulic cylinder manufacturing

4. Electrical and Control Systems
Control panel assembly

Wiring harness production

Sensor and limit switch installation

Radio remote control system integration

5. Final Assembly
Erection of the main frame structure

Installation of lifting spreader bars

Mounting of hydraulic power units

Integration of electrical systems

6. Testing and Quality Assurance
Load testing (typically 125% of rated capacity)

Functional testing of all movements

Safety system verification

Paint touch-up and final inspection

7. Delivery and Installation
Disassembly for shipping (if required)

On-site reassembly

Commissioning and operator training

Workshop view:

The company has installed an intelligent equipment management platform, and has installed 310 sets (sets) of handling and welding robots. After the completion of the plan, there will be more than 500 sets (sets), and the equipment networking rate will reach 95%. 32 welding lines have been put into use, 50 are planned to be installed, and the automation rate of the entire product line has reached 85%.