A boat lift control system may be programmed so that with a push of a button, either remotely or adjacent the system, the lift may lift or lower a boat to a pre-programmed elevation. Plural elevations may be programmed into the system including those corresponding to, for example, low tide, high tide, a loading elevation and a storage elevation. The inventive system also includes a manual override allowing manual operation of the lift to any desired elevation. Upper and lower limit stop mechanisms prevent movements of the lift beyond pre-set upper and lower limits.