Abstract: A launch and retrieval system for a smaller watercraft comprising a cradle for a smaller watercraft, a first vertically oriented drive, a device for securing the cradle to the first drive for vertical movement for launch and retrieval of the watercraft, a second horizontally oriented drive for preferably aft mounting on a larger watercraft. The second drive has a low profile telescoping frame having a first part fixed to the aft mounting device and a telescopic second part. The drive has power device to reciprocate the second part relative to the first. A device is provided for mounting the first drive to the outboard end of the telescopic second part to position thereby the mounting of the first drive to the second drive at about swing platform level. The first drive elevates the cradle to a level for its storage position which permits second drive to retract at least a portion of the cradle to within the second drive.