Sunstreams Boat Lifts
Sunstream Boat Lifts designs and manufactures hydraulic and mechanical boat lifts, automatic boat covers, and integrated power systems for individual boat owners, marinas, and government/commercial marine operators, sold exclusively through authorized dealers across the US and Canada.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1996
- HeadquartersKent, United States
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What Sunstreams Boat Lifts does
Sunstream Boat Lifts (Sunstream Corp) is a Kent, Washington-based designer and manufacturer of hydraulic and mechanical boat lifts, automatic boat covers, and shared power systems for the recreational marine market. Founded in 1996 by Ken Hey, the company pioneered the freestanding hydraulic boat lift and has since expanded into floating lifts, piling lifts, ball-screw-based lifting mechanisms, drive-on PWC ports, and automated boat cover systems, with product lines spanning lift capacities from 2,000 to 40,000 lbs. Its portfolio includes SunLift X, SunLift Legacy, FloatLift, Helix2-P, LiftBar, SunPort2, SunLift Mini, the Sunstream Power System (SPS), and SwiftShield, supported by proprietary technologies such as water-soluble SunFluid hydraulic fluid, SoftStop motion control, GravityLock locking, and a Bluetooth-enabled smartphone app for diagnostics and control.
The company's product engineering is anchored in patented mechanical and hydraulic innovations, including the GravityLock locking mechanism, the Shaft Boot seal protection design, and a first-of-its-kind ball screw-based LiftBar lifting architecture with regenerative braking. Products are assembled in Kent, WA and shipped via FedEx or freight to U.S. and Canada destinations.
Sunstream operates an exclusive authorized dealer distribution model, with dealers responsible for sales, installation, service, warranty support, and annual inspections across the United States and Canada. Revenue is generated primarily through one-time hardware sales of lifts, covers, and power systems, supplemented by accessories and add-on purchases. Customers are predominantly individual boat owners, with secondary segments in marinas, boat dealers, and government/commercial marine operators. Pricing is quote-based through dealers and not publicly disclosed, and the company is privately held and founder-owned with no external institutional funding rounds on record.
Sunstreams Boat Lifts firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Sunstreams Boat Lifts
- Legal name
- Sunstream Corp
- Website
- https://sunstreamboatlifts.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1996
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- Sunstream Boat Lifts designs and manufactures hydraulic and mechanical boat lifts, automatic boat covers, and integrated power systems for individual boat owners, marinas, and government/commercial marine operators, sold exclusively through authorized dealers across the US and Canada.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Sunstreams Boat Lifts industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Marine Boat Lifts and Docking Equipment
- NAICS
- Ship Building and Repairing (336611)
- SIC
- Ship & Boat Building & Repairing (3730)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Launch & Retrieval Infrastructure (Slipways, Cradles, Travel Lifts, Launching Systems) (IMAJALAE)
Keywords
Where Sunstreams Boat Lifts is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Kent
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
Sunstreams Boat Lifts business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Supply Chain, Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Boat Lift Hardware Sales: One-time sale of boat lift products including SunLift X, SunLift Legacy, FloatLift, Helix2-P, LiftBar, SunPort2, and SunLift Mini. Products are sold through authorized dealers who handle installation and provide ongoing service.
- Accessories and Add-ons: Sale of accessories including SwiftShield automatic boat covers, SPS power systems, canopy covers, bow stops, guide ons, zinc kits, pontoon bunk kits, deep water leg braces, and other customization options.
- Dealer Services: Dealers provide installation, service, warranty support, and maintenance services. Dealer network handles all field service and customer support, with Sunstream providing product support and parts.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | Custom quote-based pricing |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels5 records
Sunstreams Boat Lifts product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Sunstream Boat Lifts designs, manufactures, and distributes hydraulic and mechanical boat lift systems that raise watercraft out of the water for storage, hull protection, and quick launch/recovery. The product portfolio includes free-standing, free-floating, and piling hydraulic lifts, a screw-jack ball-screw lift, an automatic boat cover system, a shared DC hydraulic power system, and a drive-on PWC port, all sold through an authorized dealer network in the U.S. and Canada.
Product overview
Sunstream Boat Lifts offers a comprehensive portfolio of marine lifting solutions centered on hydraulic and cable-based boat lifts. The core product line includes free-standing hydraulic lifts (SunLift X and SunLift Legacy), free-floating pontoon lifts (FloatLift), piling lifts (Helix2-P), and the innovative ball screw-based LiftBar system. Supporting products include the SunPort2 drive-on PWC port and the SPS power system. The SwiftShield automatic boat cover system extends the portfolio by enabling automated cover deployment. Accessories include covers, docking accessories, and specialized mounting kits. Products are designed for both freshwater and saltwater use, with various capacity ranges from 2,000 to 40,000 lbs to accommodate boats from PWC to large vessels.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- SunLift X: Free-standing hydraulic boat lift with adjustable width bunks for ideal boat fit, featuring superior hydraulics and SoftStop technology.
- SunLift Legacy
- FloatLift
- Helix2-P
- LiftBar
- SunPort2
- SPS (Sunstream Power System)
- SwiftShield
Products and services
- SunLift X Premium free-standing hydraulic boat lift with adjustable width bunks for ideal boat fit, SoftStop technology, stainless steel cylinders, and lifting capacities from 5,000 to 30,000 lbs; operates in water depths as shallow as 3 inches with the shallow water configuration.
- SunLift Legacy The original free-standing hydraulic boat lift featuring polyurea-coated cylinders, patented shaft boot, premium pressure balance pump, and capacities from 2,000 to 6,000 lbs; uses water-soluble SunFluid for durability against water intrusion.
- FloatLift Free-floating hydraulic boat lift that can be tied to docks or mooring buoys, featuring foam-filled unsinkable pontoons, GravityLock mechanism, and operation in only 12 inches of water; lifts boats in as little as 30 seconds via remote control.
- Helix2-P Hydraulic piling boat lift combining unprecedented speed with hidden cable structure, cable travel limiter, optional stainless steel spindles for saltwater use, and lifting speeds as fast as 30 seconds; capacities from 8,000 to 24,000 lbs and as little as 4 inches gap between dock and boat.
- LiftBar First boat lift with a ball-screw-based lifting mechanism housed within an aluminum tube, featuring hidden structure, no sway, regenerative braking, twin DC motors delivering lifting speeds of 10 ft/min, and 9-12 ft lifting range; available in capacities from 8,000 to 40,000 lbs and integrable into floating docks.
- SunPort2 Drive-on, drive-off floating PWC port with foam-filled polyethylene construction, wide-mouthed pivoting tail for easy alignment, integrated bow stop, dual rows of Stoltz rollers, 1,600 lb capacity, and draft of only 4.2 inches.
- Sunstream Power System (SPS) Shared hydraulic DC powerpack enabling up to 24 hp for Sunstream products, with a single power pedestal shareable among multiple lifts or SwiftShield covers; features sealed backup batteries, submergible domed lid, and 6A/110v power requirement, available in 6HP and 12HP options.
- SwiftShield Automatic hydraulic boat cover system that deploys or retracts a custom-fit marine-grade cover in 30 seconds via remote control or smartphone app; roller mechanism compatible with SunLift X, SunLift Legacy, FloatLift, and Helix-P models.
- SunLift Mini Compact version of the SunLift Legacy designed for PWC and small craft, with 2,000 lb capacity, 6-foot bunk length, and single-cylinder design.
- Boat Lift Accessories Comprehensive range of accessories including boat lift covers (Canopy, Hover Cover, Quick Cover), docking accessories (Guide Ons, Bow Stop, Motorstop), installation parts (Adjustable Range Kit, Pontoon/Tritoon Bunk Kit, Deep Water Leg Braces), and specialized kits (Catamaran Kit, Dual PWC Lift Kit) for customizing Sunstream lifts.
Quantifiable outcome
- Lifting speed as fast as 30 seconds vs traditional cable lifts taking minutes
- +4 more outcomes
Companies that use Sunstreams Boat Lifts
Customer profileNamed customers10 records
Segments3 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
Sunstreams Boat Lifts technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature11 records
Sunstreams Boat Lifts partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Three partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.
- DockTechsminorDock installer partner that provides installation services for Sunstream products, specifically praising LiftBar's design versatility, solar/DC power options, and flexible piling tolerances.
- AdironDocksminorDock builder and installer partner highlighting LiftBar's preassembly, easy installation, shallow/deep water versatility, and competitive value positioning.
- Authorized Dealer NetworkcoreNationwide network of independent dealers providing sales, installation, service, warranty support, and annual maintenance inspections for all Sunstream products. Dealers complete boat lift registration and serve as primary customer contact for support.
Scale indicators4 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Sunstreams Boat Lifts competitors and assessment
Company assessmentEmerging players
- Elevator Boat Lifts: Specializes in elevator-style boat lifts for taller waterfront structures and limited water depths, intersecting with Sunstream's Helix2-P and LiftBar in the premium, low-water-depth segment.
Direct peers
- Golden Boat Lifts: Golden Boat Lifts produces hydraulic, cable, and aluminum boat lifts primarily for Florida and coastal markets, competing with Sunstream's SunLift and Helix2-P product lines for residential waterfront customers.
- Davits and Lift Systems (ShoreStation): ShoreStation offers a full line of boat lifts, PWC lifts, and dock products through a dealer network, directly competing with Sunstream's full lift portfolio across freestanding, piling, and PWC categories.
- Poly Lift Boat Lifts: Poly Lift builds polyethylene and aluminum boat lifts for shallow-water applications, overlapping with FloatLift's free-floating and shallow-water use cases.
- Hewitt Industries: Hewitt manufactures Roll-A-Dock and various waterfront products including lifts and PWC ports. SunPort2 competes with Hewitt's small-craft and PWC lift products in the same channel.
- Hi-Tide Boat Lifts: Hi-Tide manufactures hydraulic and elevator boat lifts for residential and commercial waterfront applications, with overlapping product lines in freestanding and piling lifts serving the same dealer and boat owner customer base.
- RGC (Roller Galvanized Company): RGC manufactures boat lifts and waterfront equipment, including freestanding and piling lifts, competing in the same dealer-distributed residential and commercial marine lift market.
- Boat Lift US (Shoreline Industries): Boat Lift US manufactures aluminum and hydraulic boat lifts, offering direct competition in free-standing and piling lift categories with overlapping dealer distribution in US coastal and lake markets.
- HydroHoist Marine Group: HydroHoist is one of the largest manufacturers of hydraulic and air-powered boat lifts in the US, directly competing with Sunstream across freestanding, floating, and piling lift categories for residential and marina customers.
Broad incumbents
- Brunswick Corporation (Marine Accessories): Brunswick is a large marine conglomerate with broad product portfolios across boats, engines, and accessories; while not a direct boat lift competitor, its scale and dealer relationships make it a potential platform competitor or acquirer in the marine lift ecosystem.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
Sunstreams Boat Lifts social profiles
Digital presenceSunstreams Boat Lifts financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Sunstreams Boat Lifts leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles1 record
Sunstreams Boat Lifts funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Sunstreams Boat Lifts M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Sunstreams Boat Lifts
What does Sunstreams Boat Lifts do?
Sunstream Boat Lifts designs, manufactures, and distributes hydraulic and mechanical boat lift systems that raise watercraft out of the water for storage, hull protection, and quick launch/recovery. The product portfolio includes free-standing, free-floating, and piling hydraulic lifts, a screw-jack ball-screw lift, an automatic boat cover system, a shared DC hydraulic power system, and a drive-on PWC port, all sold through an authorized dealer network in the U.S. and Canada.
Is Sunstreams Boat Lifts a public or private company?
Sunstreams Boat Lifts is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was Sunstreams Boat Lifts founded?
Sunstreams Boat Lifts was founded in 1996. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Sunstreams Boat Lifts based?
Sunstreams Boat Lifts is headquartered in Kent, United States, in the North America region.
How does Sunstreams Boat Lifts make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. Boat Lift Hardware Sales are the primary driver. The others are accessories and Add-ons and dealer Services.
Who are Sunstreams Boat Lifts's main competitors?
Elevator Boat Lifts is listed as an emerging player. Direct peers are Golden Boat Lifts, Davits and Lift Systems (ShoreStation), Poly Lift Boat Lifts, Hewitt Industries, Hi-Tide Boat Lifts, RGC (Roller Galvanized Company), Boat Lift US (Shoreline Industries) and HydroHoist Marine Group. Brunswick Corporation (Marine Accessories) is listed as a broad incumbent.
Does Sunstreams Boat Lifts have an API?
No public API is recorded for Sunstreams Boat Lifts.
What industry is Sunstreams Boat Lifts in?
Sunstreams Boat Lifts's product category is Marine Boat Lifts and Docking Equipment. Its primary akta.pro industry code is IMAJALAE, Launch & Retrieval Infrastructure (Slipways, Cradles, Travel Lifts, Launching Systems). Its NAICS code is 336611 and its SIC code is 3730.