Hydraulic powered boat portage apparatus

A method for transporting a boat over a barrier between a first body of water and a second body of water, the method comprising the steps of:

• positioning a moveable lift frame extending over the first body of water;
• positioning into the first body of water a moveable cradle assembly comprising a cradle support and at least one boat support for receiving a boat, the moveable cradle assembly coupled with the moveable lift frame;
• maneuvering a boat into the moveable cradle assembly;
• providing a hydraulic cylinder comprising a cylinder base secured to the lift frame and a horizontally actuated piston secured to a horizontally moveable block of the moveable lift frame, the horizontally moveable block connected to the cradle support by a pair of cables, the hydraulic cylinder coupled with the moveable cradle assembly;
• extending the horizontally actuated piston of the hydraulic cylinder coupled with the moveable cradle assembly, thereby raising the moveable cradle assembly to lift the boat out of the first body of water and to an elevation that is higher than the barrier;
• and
• translating the boat across the barrier.