Forespar Nova Lift Model 300 Outboard Motor Lift 153311

What the Nova Lift Does

The Forespar Nova Lift Model 300 is a rail-mounted lifting arm that teams with your sailboat's existing cockpit winch to hoist heavy, awkward loads aboard with far less effort and risk than manual hauling. By routing the load line internally through the arm and out to your winch, the Nova Lift gives you a mechanical advantage that makes lifting a 15 hp outboard motor a manageable, controlled task, even when you are working alone.

The arm installs on your stern rail and pivots a full 360 degrees under load, so once a load is raised you can swing it inboard and lower it directly onto its storage position without repositioning yourself or the equipment. This smooth, controlled motion significantly reduces the risk of scratching or denting your topsides during the transfer.

Practical Uses Aboard

While the Nova Lift is named for outboard motor handling, its 220 lb maximum working load makes it useful for a wide range of lifting tasks that sailboat crews encounter regularly. The patented self-feeding tube design means the arm can be installed and the line rigged in a matter of seconds, so it is ready when you need it and stowed when you do not.

• Lifting and lowering outboard motors, including motors up to 15 hp
• Hauling dive equipment, tanks, and gear from a dinghy or the water
• Loading and unloading batteries, fuel jugs, and water containers
• Bringing propane bottles, generators, and heavy stores aboard
• Complementing man overboard recovery procedures in an emergency

How It Works with Your Existing Winch

The Nova Lift is designed to use the winch power you already have on your sailboat, eliminating the need for a separate dedicated electric or manual hoist. The load line runs internally through the lift arm and exits at the base of the mount tube, where it leads directly to your chosen cockpit winch. No external block and tackle arrangement is required, which keeps the system clean and free of snarled lines.

As a practical reference from the product documentation: using a 32-size two-speed self-tailing winch with a 10-inch handle, the Nova Lift will raise 200 lbs with only 13 lbs of pressure on the winch handle when operated in second speed. This illustrates how effectively the system converts modest winch effort into controlled, heavy lifting.

Construction and Components

The Nova Lift is constructed from electropolished 304 stainless steel throughout, with quality sheaves, a special cast end fitting, and machined bushings and guides. The electropolishing process provides a smooth, corrosion-resistant finish suited to the marine environment. The rail clamps and deck mounting hardware are robust and versatile, designed to provide a secure, stable installation on virtually any vessel.

The complete kit includes everything needed to get the lift operational, with the exception of the winch and the three fasteners required to attach the deck base.

• All rail and deck mounting hardware
• 30 feet of 3/8-inch Sta-Set line
• Harken swivel block
• Special deep-throated S-Hook
• Standard 1-inch rail mounting brackets

Installation Overview

The Nova Lift mounts to 1-inch diameter stern rails using the included stainless steel rail clamp, and the deck socket base is secured with three 1/4-inch diameter screws or bolts, which are not included. The mount tube accommodates rails up to 30 inches in height. For boats with rails taller than 30 inches, a deck pad (not included) is required to raise the installation to the correct height.

The best mounting position is inboard of the stern rail, ideally near a corner where the rail structure provides the greatest stability. The mount tube should be positioned as perpendicular to the deck as possible, and the line outlet sheave should be aligned with your chosen cockpit winch. A rail-mounted turning block can be used to redirect the load line if a direct run to the winch is not possible.

Once the deck socket is secured and the mount tube is riveted in place using the two 5/32-inch rivets provided, the lift arm drops into the mount tube and seats on its base bearing. The load line is then fed through the self-feeding tube from the arm head to the outlet sheave and on to the winch. The entire arm installation and line-rigging process takes approximately 20 seconds once you are familiar with the procedure.

Important: the vessel's stern rails must be in sound condition and securely fastened to the vessel before installing the Nova Lift. The unit exerts a side load on the supporting rails equivalent to 50 percent of the load being lifted. Rails that move, flex, or have loose base fittings must be repaired or reinforced before use.

Safe Operation

The Nova Lift is designed for vertical lifting only. Attempting to drag an object that is not directly below the lift arm will significantly increase the load on both the unit and the vessel's rails and must be avoided. Shock loads from bouncing a load in a rolling sea also greatly increase forces on the system, so loads should be kept controlled and constrained from swinging freely.

All crew members who will operate the Nova Lift should be instructed in its safe use and be competent with both regular and self-tailing winches. The load line, sheaves, blocks, and pins should be inspected periodically for wear and chafe, and the entire unit should be rinsed with fresh water regularly to keep sand out of the bearings and maintain smooth operation. Never leave a load hanging from the Nova Lift unattended.

Specifications

• Material: Electropolished 304 Stainless Steel
• Maximum Working Load: 220 lbs.
• Load at Upper Arm Distortion: 420-430 lbs.
• Full Collapse Load: 480 lbs.
• Rotation: 360 degrees
• Rail Diameter (standard): 1 inch
• Maximum Rail Height Accommodated: 30 inches
• Arm Reach (outboard): 20 inches
• Arm Height Above Top of Mount Tube: 31 inches
• Overall Arm Length: 52 inches
• Line Exit Height Above Deck: 6.5 inches
• Mount Tube Foot Base Diameter: 3 inches
• Maximum Mounting Angle: 60 degrees
• Full Unit Weight: 16 lbs.
• Lift Arm with Block Weight: 9.5 lbs.
• Included Line: 30 feet of 3/8-inch Sta-Set
• Fasteners Required (not included): 3 x 1/4-inch diameter screws or bolts
• Rivets Provided: 2 x 5/32-inch
• Patent Number: 5590618
• Warranty: 1 year from manufacturer

Key Features 

• Uses your existing cockpit winch: no need to purchase a separate dedicated hoist or electric lift system
• 220 lb maximum working load: capable of lifting outboard motors up to 15 hp and other heavy equipment single-handed
• 360-degree arm rotation under full load: swing a raised load inboard and lower it directly to its storage position without repositioning
• Patented self-feeding tube design: the lift arm installs and the line rigs in approximately 20 seconds, with no block and tackle to untangle
• Instantly removable lift arm: stow the arm when not in use to keep the deck clear and uncluttered
• Electropolished stainless steel construction: resists corrosion in saltwater and marine environments
• Fits virtually any sailboat stern rail: robust stainless steel rail clamps and deck hardware provide a secure mount on a wide range of vessels
• Internally run load line: keeps the system clean and snag-free compared to external block and tackle arrangements
• Complements man overboard recovery: provides a mechanical lifting advantage when recovering a person from the water in an emergency
• Versatile beyond outboard motors: handles dive gear, batteries, fuel jugs, propane bottles, and other heavy or awkward stores