That “crane looking thing” at the yacht club is a lot more formidable than you think. It has 2 large slings on 4 points, that are positioned at lifting points under the boat’s hull. Then, though a series of electric and hydraulic winches, the slings and the boat are slowly lifted from the water. When the boat’s keel is a foot or two off the ground, the lift just drives the boat to it’s resting place, where it’s “blocked” to keep it vertical. About 50% of the boat’s weight will be resting on it’s keel. Once it’s stabilized, and the lift moves away, the boat is considered, “on the hard”, and is ready to be serviced.
here you go:
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Marine travel lift.
Some of the crane like things are for raising the mast.
For larger boats they have marine railways.
At most bating places they will have boat ramp which you drive your trailor in the water and then get your boat off.