Boat lift types - Crank Style or others??

I have graduated from mooring the boat to maybe buyin a lift. A friend has the solar powered aluminum lift, but I think I would be fine with a crank up style. I saw one on ebay for $2600 "buy it now" - but I really think I can find a better deal. Maybe I should search harder for used? Has anyone built one of these before? It cant be that hard, and I have access to all the equipment I would need to make it. Any ideas? Drawings? Used lifts? Or am I just being a cheap beasterd...