Reliable Service Since 1959

In early 1950, James and Pauline Wilson would escape their "frozen north" land-locked home in Ohio to winter in Florida. An avid fisherman, he continually saw a great need for lifting fishing and pleasure boats out of the water to prolong boat life and ease the work of maintenance. After experimenting with several electric motor/gear combinations, James Wilson ultimately finalized his boat hoist design in 1959. He visited boat owners, checked out each dock, measured for the correct size lifts, and built them in his garage shop. Mrs. Wilson helped with deliveries, and James installed the hoists himself.

After James Wilson's death, his 83-year old housewife took over their business. Until Pauline's death at 100 years, this sharp-minded woman punched the employee time clock, answered the phone and worked every day! She made all the important decisions that guided the path of Ace Boat Lift, the world's oldest and largest galvanized boatlift company.

Today, the Ace torch has passed to a new owner, Kristy Tingle. Ace hoists are installed and operate from the southern-most tip of the Florida Keys to Alaska and Hawaii, Denmark, Italy, South America, Africa, and Taiwan.