A lift gate latch is used with a lift gate and a handrail on a boat having a deck. The handrail has a jamb with a hollow interior having a predetermined width and breadth. The lift gate has a stile and a sliding hinge. The lift gate latch comprises a cup inserted in the deck, to receive the stile. A flange extends outward from the cup upper end, to mount against the boat deck. A tongue extends outward from the flange. A block extends upward from the tongue. The block is slidingly received in the jamb. The block has a breadth less than the jamb interior breadth, to allow adjustment of the clearance between the jamb and the stile. The flange and the tongue each present a low profile on the deck.