Boat portage apparatus and method

Abstract

Embodiments of the present invention include a stationary boat lift in which boats can enter and exit quite readily. The boat lift allows a boat to bypass various barriers in a safe and efficient manner by orienting the boat in a direction substantially parallel to the barrier, vertically lifting the boat out of one waterway, laterally translating the boat horizontally over the barrier, and then vertically lowering the boat into a second waterway.

1 . A method for transporting a boat over a barrier juxtaposed to a first body of water, the method comprising the steps of: 
 providing a base structure having a moveable lift frame and a moveable cradle assembly;    positioning the moveable lift frame extending over the first body of water;    positioning the moveable cradle assembly into the first body of water;    maneuvering an associated boat into the moveable cradle assembly, wherein the starboard or port side of the associated boat is juxtaposed to the barrier;    raising the moveable cradle assembly to lift the associated boat out of the first body of water and to an elevation that is higher than the barrier;    translating the associated boat across the barrier.    
   
   
       2 . The method as defined in  claim 1 , wherein the step of: 
 translating the associated boat across the barrier, comprises the step of:    laterally translating the associated boat with respect to the associated boat's forward direction of travel.    
   
   
       3 . The method as defined in  claim 1 , further comprising the step of: 
 positioning the moveable lift frame and the associated boat over a second body of water; and,    lowering the moveable cradle assembly to release the associated boat into the second body of water.    
   
   
       4 . The method as defined in  claim 3 , further comprising the step of: 
 releasing the associated boat into the second body of water wherein the starboard or port side of the associated boat is juxtaposed to the barrier.    
   
   
       5 . The method as defined in  claim 1 , wherein the step of: 
 translating the associated boat across the barrier, comprises the step of:    horizontally moving the moveable lift frame thereby translating the associated boat across the barrier.    
   
   
       6 . The method as defined in  claim 5 , wherein the step of: 
 horizontally moving the moveable lift frame thereby translating the associated boat across the barrier, comprises the step of:    horizontally moving the moveable lift frame thereby translating the associated boat across the barrier and vertically moving the moveable cradle assembly to maintain a constant elevation above the surface of the barrier.    
   
   
       7 . The method as defined in  claim 1 , wherein the step of: 
 providing a base structure having a moveable lift frame and a moveable cradle assembly, comprises the step of:    providing a base structure having a first frame section erected over the barrier and at least a second frame section cantilevered over the first body of water, the base structure having a moveable lift frame and a moveable cradle assembly;    
   
   
       8 . A boat lift apparatus comprising: 
 a base structure having a first frame section erected over a barrier wherein the barrier is juxtaposed to a first body of water, the base structure having a second frame section cantilevered over the first body of water;    a lift frame operatively connected to the base structure;    a cradle assembly including at least a first boat-support mechanism capable of receiving an associated boat for carrying the associated boat across the barrier, the cradle assembly being moveably connected with respect to the lift frame; and,    a mechanism for actuating the cradle assembly.    
   
   
       9 . The boat lift apparatus as defined in  claim 8 , wherein the lift frame is a horizontally moveable lift frame capable of traversing the second frame section; and further comprising: 
 a mechanism for actuating the lift frame.    
   
   
       10 . The boat lift apparatus as defined in  claim 9 , wherein the barrier separates the first body of water from a second body of water, and, 
 wherein the base structure includes a third frame section cantilevered over the second body of water, and,    wherein the horizontally moveable lift frame is capable of traversing the third frame section.    
   
   
       11 . The boat lift apparatus as defined in  claim 10 , wherein the lift frame and the cradle assembly are capable of translating the associated boat across the barrier with either of the associated boat's port side or starboard side approaching the barrier.  
   
   
       12 . The boat lift apparatus as defined in  claim 10 , wherein the horizontally moveable lift frame and the cradle assembly are capable of carrying and releasing the associated boat into the second body of water in a direction substantially parallel to the barrier.  
   
   
       13 . The boat lift apparatus as defined in  claim 9 , wherein the horizontally moveable lift frame includes a guiding mechanism comprising one or more of: tracks, rollers, or bearings.  
   
   
       14 . The boat lift apparatus as defined in  claim 9 , wherein the second frame section extends entirely above the first body of water.  
   
   
       15 . The boat lift apparatus as defined in  claim 9 , wherein the at least a first boat-support mechanism comprises: 
 a rigid non-water retaining boat sling connected to the lift frame.    
   
   
       16 . The boat lift apparatus as defined in  claim 9 , wherein the at least a first boat-support mechanism comprises: 
 a flexible non-water retaining boat sling connected to the lift frame.    
   
   
       17 . The boat lift apparatus as defined in  claim 16 , further comprising: 
 weights attached to the flexible non-water retaining boat sling.    
   
   
       18 . The boat lift apparatus as defined in  claim 17 , wherein the flexible non-water retaining boat sling includes one or more flexible straps for receiving the associated boat.  
   
   
       19 . The boat lift apparatus as defined in  18 , wherein the one or more flexible straps are selectively adjustable to receive one of first and second associated boats, wherein the first associated boat is substantially different from the second associated boat.  
   
   
       20 . The boat lift apparatus as defined in  claim 17 , wherein the flexible non-water retaining boat sling includes a net for receiving and lifting the associated boat.