I have a steel trailer and have used a travel lift when going into salt water. As I recall, it was $100.00 each way.

My suggestion - pay the money for the travel lift.

I called around several marinas here in south florida, and for my 27' boat they all wanted $250+ each way. So his boat being 45', $600 total sounds about right. Theres several marinas in southern California that have a crane and they'll hoist your boat in for $20. That's what I was looking for since it would take 5 minutes with the right equipment. Hell, one of the marinas in socal the crane is self service lol.