Cantilever PWC Lifts: The Reliable, Shallow-Water Specialist
Mechanical Simplicity & Easy Maintenance
The beauty of the cantilever design lies in its streamlined engineering.
- Fewer Moving Parts: Because the lift operates on a pivot, there are fewer pulleys and hardware points to maintain compared to vertical styles.
- Visible Cable System: A single, high-strength cable does all the heavy lifting. It is fully exposed, making it easy to inspect and simple to replace when the time comes.
- Superior Strength: Our frames are load-tested to handle 130% – 200% of their rated capacity, ensuring your PWC is always secure.
The Shallow Water Advantage
If your shoreline has a shallow grade, the cantilever lift is likely your best fit.
- Low Clearance: These units can operate in as little as 6″ of water plus the draft of your PWC (typically requiring only 12″ to 16″ of total depth).
- Maximum Elevation: Each lift provides 32″ of travel. When combined with the 16″ of independent leg adjustment, your PWC can be raised up to 48″ off the lakebed, keeping it safe from unexpected surges.
Operation: Manual Wheel or Turn-Key Motor
We believe docking should be the easiest part of your day.
- Manual Wheel: Our standard lifts come with a large, balanced wheel for smooth manual operation.
- Turn-Key Electric Upgrade: For effortless docking, we offer a 12V or 110V motor upgrade. Instead of manual cranking, you simply turn a key to raise or lower the lift. The spring-loaded “safety-return” ensures the motor stops the moment you release the key.
A Custom Fit for Every Shoreline
No two lakebeds are the same, which is why our lifts are built for total adjustability.
- Perfect Hull Support: The carpeted bunks are fully adjustable for width, rotation, and spread. We customize these during installation to ensure your specific PWC hull is supported perfectly.
- Leveling on Soft Bottoms: Each leg adjusts independently by 16″ to handle uneven terrain. For mucky or soft bottoms, we utilize patio stones or our specialized Mud Mats—large, geotextile-reinforced bases that prevent the lift from sinking and keep it perfectly plumb.
Model Specifications
| Feature | 1260 Cantilever | 1272 Cantilever | Catamaran Lift |
|---|---|---|---|
| Capacity | 1,200 lbs | 1,200 lbs | 1,200 lbs |
| Inside Width | 60″ | 72″ | 108″ |
| Lift Travel | 32″ | 32″ | 32″ |
| Leg Adjustment | 16″ | 16″ | 16″ |
| Unit Weight | 150 lbs | 155 lbs | 170 lbs |
The “On The Water” Difference
We don’t just import these lifts; we engineer them for the realities of Canadian Waterfronts
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Practical Design for Easy Dock Installation
Cantilever PWC lifts are designed to be functional, and this has made them very popular among people who own waterfront homes and need a reliable lift for their personal watercraft without any complicated mechanical features. The mechanism is operated using a simple winch mechanism, which enables the owner to easily lift or lower their personal watercraft.
Since this mechanism has fewer moving parts, the maintenance is also very low, and the performance is consistent in the long term. The frame is also very easy to install and transport, considering the weight, and this has made the cantilever PWC lifts very efficient for seasonal dock applications and waterfront environments.
Frequently Asked Questions
A cantilever PWC lift uses a balanced frame system to raise a personal watercraft out of the water. The design distributes weight evenly and uses a winch mechanism to lift and lower the watercraft safely at the dock.
Most cantilever PWC lifts are designed to support around 1,200 pounds, which is suitable for the majority of personal watercraft models including jet skis and similar recreational watercraft.
No. These lifts are designed for simple operation. A manual winch system allows the watercraft to be lifted or lowered smoothly with minimal physical effort.
Yes. Cantilever PWC lifts are commonly used on dock systems where stable support and proper water depth are available. Adjustable legs and bunks help adapt the lift to different shoreline conditions.
Maintenance requirements are minimal. Periodic inspection of the winch, cables, and structural components helps ensure smooth operation and long-term durability.
On The Water Designs offers both manual and electric winch options for our Tower Docks, allowing clients to choose their preferred level of convenience. While the removable winch system is designed for safe operation by a single person, we recommend having two people present during seasonal installation and removal to ensure maximum safety when working around the water.
