a floating low profile watercraft lifting apparatus comprises a buoyant support apparatus and a watercraft lift attached to the buoyant support apparatus . embodiments of the lift have first and second cantilever arms pivotally mounted to a base at offset pivot points for use in shallow water . the lift includes an actuator connected to the first and second cantilever arms and operable to move the first and second cantilever arms between a collapsed configuration and an extended configuration with uniform application of force and a minimum amount of travel of actuator components . the support apparatus comprises inflatable pontoons within a frame attached to the lift and providing buoyant support for the lifting apparatus .