Common Boat Lift Repairs That Can be Avoided

Boat lifts are made to last roughly as long as your boat, or even longer if you’re lucky. Boat lifts often last up to 25 years with proper care and maintenance. Numerous elements, some of which are beyond your control, such as extreme weather and water conditions, can shorten the lifespan of your boat lift. One of the best methods to make sure this doesn’t happen is to do preventive maintenance regularly. You can avoid uncalled-for breaking down with the help of ordinary boat lift repairs. Your boat lift needs to be treated as an investment, much like a boat does. Regular maintenance helps shield your boat lift from avoidable early wear and damage. Additionally, it aids in preventing rust and corrosion and allows spotting any sections that might require maintenance or replacement. Most essential, regular maintenance maintains your lift functioning at its best to safeguard your boat. Your lift needs to adequately protect your boat if it is rusted, malfunctioning, or otherwise not working. Make sure you’re performing routine maintenance on your lift if you want to give your boat the finest possible care.

Rust

When metal is exposed to air, rust or corrosion takes the hue of reddish or brownish-orange. If you catch rust in time, you may grind it off the metal and hire a maritime construction company to apply protective sealant and paint to stop additional corrosion. Steel is the most widely used materials for boat lifts. However, it is susceptible to rust. An aluminum boat lift system is the best option if you want something that offers more rust resistance.

The Motor

The motor is your boat lift system’s lifeline because it drives it. Thanks to it, you can quickly raise and lower your vessel in and out of the water. Some of the most frequent motor-related problems are burned fuses, improper wiring, a broken-up button, and providing the motor with the wrong amount of electricity. A marine expert may be able to repair a motor that won’t switch on automatically, won’t lift, or won’t start at all, but more severe motor issues can call for replacement.

Worn Out Cables

Cables from your boat lift are the engine of your system. They also make it easy for you to lower and elevate your vessel. However, due to the cables’ propensity for wear and tear from the boat lift’s constant up and down motion, they need to be maintained occasionally. Additionally, rust, the primary cause of most cable-related problems, can damage stainless steel or galvanized cables. The boat lift system overload, improper drum winding, insufficient tension, misalignment, and the lift cables can all wear them out.

Lift Controls

The boat lift controls, which govern the up-and-down movement of the lift system, are made up of harnesses, switches, and remotes. The authorities turn the lift system’s gear drive pipe, plate, and motor, enabling you to raise and lower your vessel efficiently. The two most frequent reasons for malfunctioning boat controls are electrical issues and rusted circuit connections. In these situations, the lift mechanism elevates the boat’s tooth high, perhaps harming both the lift and the boat. Additionally, malfunctioning remote commands that require rewiring may cause the motor to operate incorrectly, making it more difficult to raise or lower the boat. While electrical problems may impact how your lift system functions, you can extend the life of your boat lift by routinely evaluating the system’s various components, ensuring correct use, and doing preventative maintenance.

Sinking Piles

Pilings are crucial for a boat lift system because they stabilize the building and give flowing water a stable base. The pilings will positively impact the boat lift’s effectiveness when installed correctly. The boat lift system will shift, sink, and become unstable due to an improperly driven piling that will bind. By ensuring the boat lift system is installed correctly, you can always prevent generating safety risks that could result in significant structural damage.

Bunk Inspection

Over time, the bunks of your boat lift will deteriorate, so check the carpet for any thin places that might allow contact between the boat’s hull and the raw wood. Additionally, look for rust or damage to the wood, which will weaken and shatter it. Wooden bunks with carpeting must be replaced when they begin to deteriorate due to exposure to water significantly. Vinyl bunks last longer than carpeted or wood bunks and never need to be replaced. For bunks that require little maintenance and are long lasting, think about upgrading your boat lift to aluminum/vinyl bunks.

Avoid Exceeding Weight Capacity

Engineers meticulously calculate and evaluate a boat lift’s weight capacities during the construction process. If a boat goes over this limit, the lift can break. Stay within the manufacturer’s recommended weight limit. To accommodate various types of watercraft, there are numerous lifts available. You can get assistance from a knowledgeable boat lift vendor in figuring out the weight of your boat and the appropriate lift. Refrain from underestimating the weight of their boat and failing to account for supplies and additional passengers are common mistakes made by boat owners. The “dry” weight of the boat plus the weight of the passengers, supplies, equipment, and gasoline, plus an additional 20% for safety. This will guarantee that you are not using the elevator for a purpose not meant for you.

Proper Boat Positioning

Before using the boat lift, the boat must be correctly positioned. To guarantee that the weight is distributed equally, your boat should be centered from front to rear and side to side. When placed incorrectly, such as too far back, the front of the boat will be lighter and may even float off the lift. Ensure you know how to position your boat or lift to preserve balance and avoid harm to them. To help eliminate guessing in appropriate alignment, use accessories. The correct front-to-back positioning of your vessel is guaranteed by bow stops and motor stops. You are equally over the boat lift side to side with the aid of guide-ons.

Cable Maintenance

If your boat lift is a cable-driven one, the cables need to be checked thoroughly and kept in good condition because they are prone to damage over time. Cables for boat lifts are frequently made of stainless steel. To reduce friction, this material needs to be consistently lubricated with cable fluid or penetration oil. Keep in mind that grease-containing lubricants should be avoided because they can cause your cables to become moistened. Check for damage, such as fraying, during your ROUTINE MAINTENANCE INSPECTIONS so that you can replace weak cables. One or more wires frequently become more fragile, while other cables stay strong depending on how your boat is positioned on the lift. To ensure that this wear occurs uniformly, it is ideal for dispersing the boat evenly.

What is The Life Expectancy of a Boat Lift?

If you’re using an efficient boat lift, constructed from excellent material and properly cared for, it can last for 25 to 40 years. However, there must be a greater emphasis on maintaining your boat lift.

Do Boat Lifts Need Maintenance?

Bats need some care and maintenance. Boat lifting is necessary to keep your boat safe from water rust and damage. Keeping your boat lift up and running efficiently is the only way to enjoy the boat ride without worrying about any damage.

Conclusion

One of the benefits of owning a boat is having a boat lift. When utilizing a boat lift, a few frequent faults might result in failure or premature wear. To keep your boat lift safe and operating correctly, it’s essential to avoid frequent mistakes and adhere to the manufacturer’s instructions. Boat lifts can break down, so it’s essential to pick a suitable model for your boat and know how to use it. Every precaution you take to maintain the integrity and safety of your lift will increase its lifespan and safeguard the value of your boat. Lift maintenance may seem like a great effort to someone who has never owned a boat lift or done it themselves. Thankfully, FootHills Dock Repair has the skills and expertise to maintain your lift. We have the expertise to assist you to protect your investment thanks to our many years of industry experience. A team of experts is on hand at FootHills Dock Repair and is prepared to help. You can get in touch with us online to ask queries of our staff or to find out where your nearest dealer is. If you want to choose the model that will fit your ideal boat, you can also browse our online collection of watercraft lifts. Feel free to contact us! Our services are available for everyone.

Common Boat Lift Repairs That Can be Avoided