The "Marina Bull" is a specialized high-capacity forklift designed and manufactured by Wiggins Lift Co. for one specific job: safely handling boats in dry-stack marina storage facilities.
What It Is and Who Makes It
The Marina Bull is the world's leading purpose-built dry-stack boat handling forklift . It is manufactured by Wiggins Lift Co., a California-based company that specializes in custom, high-capacity forklifts for long-load applications like boat handling . These machines are essentially "long load center" forklifts designed for the unique lifting requirements of boats .
Key Features and Specifications
The Marina Bull is built with a focus on capacity, safety, and ease of service:
High Capacity with Long Load Centers: The Marina Bull is designed to handle the unique "long load center" of boats. Capacities can range from small models like the W1.0 (9,280 lbs at a 96-inch load center) up to massive units like the W9.8 (42,000 lbs at a 216-inch load center) . The Asia-Pacific's largest model can lift boats up to 15 meters (approx. 49 feet) long .
Safety and Stability: Wiggins emphasizes that its forklifts feature the lowest center of gravity and highest stability factor in the industry, providing a crucial margin for safety when lifting expensive boats .
Zero-Emission Electric Option: To meet modern environmental regulations, Wiggins offers a zero-emission version called the Marina eBull . This fully electric machine is powered by lithium-ion batteries (with optional hydrogen fuel cells) and offers capacities from 30,000 to 70,000 lbs, ensuring silent, fume-free operation .
Where to Find Them
Authorized Dealers: Companies like Forklift Exchange are authorized dealers for new and used Wiggins Marina Bull forklifts .
Manufacturer: You can contact Wiggins Lift Co. directly for a quote on a new custom-built unit .
Industry News: Marinas investing in dry-stack facilities often announce new acquisitions, such as MDL Marinas in the UK and Royal Phuket Marina .
The Bottom Line
The Marina Bull is not a general-purpose forklift but the industry standard for heavy-duty dry-stack marina operations. Its custom-built nature, extreme lifting capacities, and focus on boat-handling stability make it the preferred choice for marinas worldwide. The recent introduction of the Marina eBull also positions it as a forward-looking solution for operations looking to reduce their environmental impact .
