Newport Shipyard invests in travelift to haul bigger yachts

Newport Shipyard, Rhode Island, has ordered a 500C marine travelift, manufacturers at Marine Travelift Inc. have announced. The machine replaces a 300-tonne travelift hoist the yard purchased thirteen years ago.

Scheduled for installation later this year, the yard's maximum length of yacht capable of hauling out will increase from 46m, possible with the old hoist, to 60m with the new 500 tonne lift.

“We decided to upgrade to a 500-tonne machine because of the added customer demand to haul larger vessels,” said Eli Dana, Newport Shipyard dockmaster.

“We see a growing number of superyachts wanting to visit our area, but without the capacity to be hauled for repair work, they go elsewhere.”

The machine will also improve manoeuvrability and operations. The 500C lift incorporates two-speed hoists allowing lifting at approximately twice the standard speed. A zinc-enriched primer will also increase the machine’s paint life in challenging weather and saltwater conditions.

“The machine’s extra height will allow us to haul deep-draft sailing yachts,” Dana added, “And the all-wheel electronic steering will help us move vessels around our confined yard.”



Finally, the 500C marine travelift has work and drive lights with sound-insulated generator so operators can use the lights during emergency nighttime repairs without having to run the engine.

The lift has five optional steering modes, including crab mode, in which all wheels turn in the same direction and angle so the hoist can be steered obliquely or traverse sideways; and carousel mode, in which all wheels turn around an axis point at the machine’s centre.

“Without the all-wheel electronic steering, the 500C would have been impractical for their yard,” said Chad Forman of Martin Walter Company, Marine Travelift dealer. Forman worked closely with Newport Shipyard on the sale, which was finalized in October of last year, and he will oversee the installation of the new machine in spring.

Profile links

Newport Shipyard (American Shipyard, LLC)

Marine Travelift

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