A cradle is shaped to accommodate the hull of a small boat such as dinghy, personal watercraft or other type of boat. A support is mounted to a deck such a boat, pier or dock deck. The cradle is pivotally mounted to the support and can be moved to a loading position in which the cradle is generally vertical, or inclined to horizontal, and an outer portion of the cradle is at the water adjacent to the deck. The small boat is moved upon the water against the cradle. A pair of lines extend from the support and are trained through an inner portion of the cradle. The free ends of the lines are attached to the boat, and the lines are drawn toward the support, for example with a hand wheel or hand winch. The boat is pulled toward the support while remaining in a generally horizontal orientation. The boat pivots the cradle from the loading position to a generally horizontal storage position on the deck where the boat and cradle are secured by the lines.