The maximum relative displacement of shipboard equipment can be effectively limited when a limiter is installed in vibration isolation system. However, traditional rubber limiter is liable to produce serious secondary shock on the system. Firstly, the mathematical model of hydraulic limiter is established and the shock response characteristics are simulated and analyzed by Duhamei integral method. Secondly, the test devices of vibration isolation system with hydraulic limiter are designed and the effects on shock resistance with different limiter parameters are studied by the actual shock test. Finally, the shock response characteristics of vibration isolation system with both hydraulic and rubber limiter are compared and analyzed. The results show that: compared with non-limiter vibration isolation system, the hydraulic limiter can reduce the maximum relative displacement response by 60%; there is an optimum throttle aperture, which can make the system obtain the optimum vibration isolation effect; compared with rubber limiter vibration isolation system, the hydraulic limiter can reduce acceleration response by 44.5% when the relative displacement response is approximate equal. Therefore, hydraulic limiter can substantially improve the shock resistance of shipboard equipment.