A boat lift drive for connection to a winch having a winch shaft. The boat lift drive includes a power unit, a drive train engaged to and being driven by the power unit, and a drive shaft engaged to and being driven by the drive train. The drive shaft in turn is engaged to and drives the winch shaft. The drive shaft includes an interior threaded opening that engages a threaded end of the winch shaft to directly connect the drive shaft to the winch shaft. The drive shaft is further engaged to the winch shaft via a pin that extends through the drive shaft and is threaded into the winch shaft.