SMELTS Lift-Raft™
The Lift-Raft™ lineup combines high-efficiency buoyancy engineering with rugged marine construction to deliver dependable lifting performance across all depths. Discover models built to meet the demands of today’s fisheries and tomorrow’s regulations.
The LR-13 is the smallest model in the SMELTS Lift-Raft™ lineup, developed for shallow water and inshore fisheries where simplicity and low system weight are priorities. Designed for depths around 10-20 fathoms, the LR-13 offers dependable retrieval performance in protected or near-coastal waters. Its compact footprint and single-tank configuration make it a practical entry point into Lift-Raft technology, particularly for harvesters who value minimal maintenance and lower upfront cost.
At the core of the LR-13 is an 85 lb lift bag paired with a single 13 cubic foot air tank. This combination provides approximately five lifts in shallow water while maintaining rapid, controlled ascent. The unit houses its acoustic electronics and battery system inside a 14 inch pressure vessel, protecting critical components in a compact enclosure. The smaller vessel limits battery capacity compared to larger models, but it keeps overall size and weight to a minimum. The single tank architecture reduces service complexity while delivering consistent lift performance within its intended depth range.
Overall Dimensions
21" x 12" x 9"
Tank Capacity / Max Pressure
13 Cubic Feet / 3000 PSI
Lift-Bag Buoyancy
80 Lbs
Reccomended Deployment Depth
25 Fathoms
Apparent Weight
~85 lbs
Acoustic Options
EdgeTech | Teledyne | MASSA
The LRT-13 builds on the LR-13 platform by integrating the lift system directly into a standard 4 foot lobster trap. Designed for harvesters who fish singles, doubles, or triples, the LRT-13 allows ropeless capability without changing traditional trap handling practices. Because the lift unit is built into one end of the trap, it does not require a separate frame or additional deck space. The result is a fully fishable trap that maintains familiar gear geometry while adding on demand retrieval capability.
To accommodate the added structure and ensure reliable surface visibility, the LRT-13 uses a 185 lb lift bag, significantly larger than the standard LR-13 configuration. This increased buoyant force helps keep the trap stable at the surface and supports consistent retrieval under varying load conditions. The integrated system retains the compact acoustic vessel and single tank architecture of the 13 series, preserving mechanical simplicity while delivering the added performance required for a combined trap and lift platform. Built using quality trap components and standard dimensions, the LRT-13 blends conventional fishing gear with integrated lift technology in a single unit.
Overall Dimensions
Tank Capacity / Max Pressure
13 Cubic Feet / 3000 PSI
Lift-Bag Buoyancy
185 Lbs
Reccomended Deployment Depth
10 - 20 Fathoms
Apparent Weight
~85 lbs
Acoustic Options
EdgeTech | Teledyne | MASSA
The LR-26 is the most practical choice in the lineup for harvesters working inshore and shallow to mid depth waters where conditions demand more capacity than the LR-13 can provide. Designed for fisheries operating between roughly 20 and 40 fathoms, the LR-26 offers greater lift endurance while maintaining a compact footprint. It remains relatively small and manageable on deck, but adds the performance margin needed for tougher weather and heavier gear configurations.
The LR-26 features a twin tank configuration using two 13 cubic foot air cylinders housed alongside the same 14 inch acoustic vessel used in the 13 series. This keeps overall size and weight controlled while increasing available air volume. Paired with the 185 lb lift bag, the twin tank design allows for approximately ten lifts on a single fill, reducing the need for frequent recharging compared to a single tank system. The result is a balanced platform that combines higher lift endurance with a straightforward mechanical layout suitable for daily inshore use.
Overall Dimensions
24" x 16.5" x 10.5"
Tank Capacity / Max Pressure
26 Cubic Feet / 3000 PSI
Lift-Bag Buoyancy
185 Lbs
Reccomended Deployment Depth
20 - 40 Fathoms
Apparent Weight
~85 lbs
Acoustic Options
EdgeTech | Teledyne | MASSA
The LR-50 was developed from the proven LR-60 platform, with a focus on simplifying the system while maintaining comparable performance. Identical in overall size to the LR-60 but slightly lighter, the LR-50 is designed for harvesters who want depth capability and lift endurance without the added complexity of a dual tank layout. It carries forward the core design philosophy of the 60 series while refining the architecture based on years of field testing and user feedback.
The dual 30 cubic foot tanks of the LR-60 have been replaced with a single 50 cubic foot tank, reducing plumbing complexity and simplifying service access. The valve location and pressure gauge have been repositioned for easier maintenance and viewing, and the acoustic module has been upgraded from a 17 inch vessel to a 20 inch vessel, allowing for XL battery configurations and extended deployment intervals. The LR-50 delivers approximately 13 lifts on a full fill and can be configured with either a 185 lb or 250 lb lift bag depending on gear weight and depth requirements. The result is a high capacity system that improves efficiency and reduces upkeep while preserving the depth performance expected from the 60 class platform.
Overall Dimensions
36" x 21" x 15"
Tank Capacity / Max Pressure
50 Cubic Feet / 3000 PSI
Lift-Bag Buoyancy
185 Lbs
Reccomended Deployment Depth
40-60 Fathoms
Apparent Weight
~120 lbs
Acoustic Options
EdgeTech | Teledyne | MASSA
The LR-60 is the most widely adopted model in the SMELTS lineup and has become the standard choice for harvesters working in moderate to deeper waters. Designed for fisheries operating from 40 to 60 fathoms and capable of reaching depths up to 150 fathoms, the LR-60 offers a strong balance between size, endurance, and lift capacity. Built around a 3 foot trap frame, it provides the durability and stability required for consistent performance in demanding New England fisheries. Its depth range and reliability have made it a trusted platform for mid depth trawls.
The LR-60 features dual 30 cubic foot air tanks and can be configured with either a 185 or 250 lb lift bag depending on load requirements. This configuration allows for approximately 15 dependable lifts on a full fill, giving it the highest lift count per fill in the lineup. The system also incorporates a 17 inch acoustic module, providing expanded battery configuration options compared to smaller models. The larger vessel supports longer deployment intervals and greater flexibility in acoustic integration, while the robust tank and frame structure maintain consistent lift behavior across moderate depth applications.
Overall Dimensions
36" x 21" x 15"
Tank Capacity / Max Pressure
60 Cubic Feet / 3000 PSI
Lift-Bag Buoyancy
185 Lbs
Reccomended Deployment Depth
40-60 Fathoms
Apparent Weight
~120 lbs
Acoustic Options
EdgeTech | Teledyne | MASSA
The LR-80 is designed for offshore fisheries where greater air volume and buoyant force are required to support deeper deployments. Rated for depths up to 200 fathoms, the LR-80 provides the lift capacity and structural durability needed for offshore lobster operations. While only slightly taller than the LR-60 class units, it is built within the largest cage configuration in the lineup, offering increased air storage and structural strength without a dramatic increase in deck footprint. Its straightforward design and dependable performance have made it a trusted offshore platform.
The LR-80 features a single 80 cubic foot air tank paired with a 250 lb lift bag, delivering strong and controlled ascent performance in deeper water conditions. This configuration provides approximately eight lifts per fill, balancing offshore depth capability with practical recharge intervals. The unit can be equipped with either a 17 or 20 inch acoustic vessel and uniquely allows for dual acoustic vessels mounted side by side. This expanded architecture supports increased battery capacity or the addition of sensor packages when required. Sharing its structural platform with the SR-80, the LR-80 offers both offshore lifting power and modular integration capability for extended deployments.
Overall Dimensions
36" x 21" x 16.5"
Tank Capacity / Max Pressure
80 Cubic Feet / 3000 PSI
Lift-Bag Buoyancy
250 Lbs
Reccomended Deployment Depth
100-150 Fathoms
Apparent Weight
130 lbs
Acoustic Options
EdgeTech | Teledyne | MASSA
The LR-160 is the largest and most powerful model in the SMELTS lineup, built for offshore fisheries operating in deep water and exposed conditions. Designed for depths up to 300 fathoms, the LR-160 provides the stability and lift capacity required for heavy trawls, rocky bottom terrain, and severe weather environments. Its larger frame and increased air volume make it well suited for fisheries where reliability and surface visibility are critical.
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The LR-160 features twin 80 cubic foot air tanks paired with lift bags rated at 500 lb or greater, including 8 foot and extended 10 foot configurations for increased surface visibility. The system delivers approximately 10 to 12 hauls on a full fill, maintaining strong and predictable ascent even at significant depth. The large lift bag is visible on radar, improving detection during retrieval in offshore conditions. The unit can be equipped with either a 17 or 20 inch acoustic vessel, supporting multiple battery configurations and extended deployments. The combination of tank capacity, buoyant force, and structural scale makes the LR-160 a proven solution for demanding offshore applications.
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Overall Dimensions
36" x 21" x 16.5"
Tank Capacity / Max Pressure
160 Cubic Feet / 3300 PSI
Lift-Bag Buoyancy
500 Lbs | 800 Lbs | 1000 Lbs
Reccomended Deployment Depth
150-250 Fathoms
Apparent Weight
155 lbs
Acoustic Options
EdgeTech | Teledyne | MASSA
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360-303-9388
info@smelts.org