Owners of boat lifts are all too familiar with approaching storms that can make it unsafe to be on the water. Being alert and prepared for potential threats to life and property are vital concerns.
Over the past few weeks, we have all been facing a different type of storm – the effects of Coronavirus (COVID-19) that have disrupted our lives in many ways. Unfortunately, we are “in the same boat,” so to speak, as we learn how to cope with the fears that the virus creates and the guidelines that we must follow.
As we are practicing social distancing, sheltering at home, and in some cases having lighter workloads, many people are coping with uncertainty, isolation, and boredom. Trying to stay productive and meaningful takes on a whole new meaning. Some are managing by tackling chores that they often put off doing during more normal times.
Boat Lift Maintenance – Planning Ahead During COVID-19
Maintenance on your boat lift may be one of those tasks that you’ve not gotten around to yet, but is essential before you can start the new boating season. Now that spring has arrived and you are looking for something to do outside, what better time to check this off your list and ensure that your boat lift is ready for action?
If you are reading this article, then you already know the therapeutic effects of being on the water with family and friends. Even in less disastrous times, it is a way to relieve the stress of everyday living and escape from some of the unfortunate news around us. Regrettably, the pandemic guidelines have affected almost every industry, including boating. With COVID-19 guidelines limiting the size and distancing of social groups and with some states closing marinas and ramps, boating may be a limited option for some boaters until a later date. (Check all rules for your state to see what is allowed.) 
Owning a boat lift can give you a definite advantage while COVID-19 restrictions are in place. If you can launch from a private dock, then public closures may not affect you at all. Of course, you want to follow the guidelines that limit group size, require six-foot distancing, and other recommendations that will make your boating experience safer while COVID-19 is still a threat.
Nevertheless, even if normal boating is affected, what boating enthusiast, if honest with himself/herself, hasn’t already been thinking about cruising across the water in the bright sunshine as the best way to deal with the pandemic? Taking time and effort now, so that you are prepared to launch your boat, is a good feeling to have in anticipation of post-Corona days ahead.
Don’t let poor planning delay your opportunity to take your boat out the first chance you get!
Why is Maintenance Important?
A boat lift is a convenience item that facilitates getting your boat in and out of the water easier and faster. It is also an investment that plays a huge role in the maintenance of your boat itself. However, it is only beneficial to you when it is operating correctly. As is the case with most machines, preventive boat lift maintenance is more effective and less expensive than replacing or repairing it after it breaks or fails. Even the highest quality, well-built boat lift has the potential to have a problem. Proper maintenance can usually prevent the problem before it occurs. 
A boat lift that has been out of use since the previous boating season needs a thorough check-up to ensure it is still functioning up to par, thus making spring season boat lift maintenance especially critical. If you are not ensuring that your boat lift is in tip-top shape, you are risking damage to your boat and even injury to yourself or others. And frankly, who wants to be embarrassed at the dock when their boat lift fails in front of friends and family who are expecting a smooth departure?
Keep reading to learn about keeping your boat lift well-maintained. Take care of these chores to extend the life of your boat lift and keep it performing to the max!
General Tips
- Lack of use is the primary cause of boat lift problems. In the offseason, or any extended periods without activity, operate your boat lift every month so it is not sitting idle. Simply run the lift for about a minute in each direction to keep the motor contacts and brushes clean and all pulleys and bearings evenly lubricated.
- Always keep the lift and cradle beams out of the water as much as possible and rinse after each use.
- Be mindful of safety hazards when working with any electrical or moving parts.
- Turn off electricity before removing the motor cover.
- Do not operate the lift with the cover removed.
- Keep your hands and clothing away from any moving parts.
- Inspect the GFCI (Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter) as part of regular maintenance.
- A GFCI is a circuit breaker. This device reduces the risk of electric shock. It shuts off an electric power circuit when it detects that current is flowing along an unintended path, such as through water or a person. Go to your electric panel box and find the label that corresponds to the GFCI that operates your boat lift. Press the test button for that specific GFCI. If it is operating correctly, the test button will trip the breaker. This should stop the power to the boat lift. Once you’ve verified that it is working correctly, reset the breaker. If not working correctly, call a qualified electrician to fix the problem.
- Always turn off the main power supply to the boat lift when not in use.
Boat Lift Motors, Pulleys, and Bearings
High-quality motors are designed to last about 7 to 10 years when under a cover and well-maintained.
Elite Footed Motor (has claw foot for mounting)
Leeson C-Faced Motor (no mounting claw – fits directly into enclosed gearbox of a direct drive hoist)
- Visually inspect the motor and parts.
- Inspect motor for rust.
- If motor is not under a cover, check to see if it is holding water.
- Check pulleys and bearings for damage and wear.
- Check to make sure nuts and bolts are tight.
- Make sure all the nuts and bolts of the bearing blocks bolted to the top beams are tight.
- Grease pulleys, bolts, and all grease points every 15-20 uses — usually every 4 to 6 months — with a marine-grade lubricant. If not, they will start squeaking and eventually freeze up.
- If insufficiently lubricated, friction between the bearing and drive pipe will increase the potential for failure.
Check out Boat Lift Warehouse’s Water-proof open gear grease for Boat Hoists here.
Drive Units and Gears
- After normal wear, the drive belt between the motor and the gear plate may become loose over time. To retighten, loosen the motor bolt by pushing the motor in the opposite direction of the gear plate pulley, thus tightening the belt. Then, retighten the motor bolts.
- Do a more frequent check on all gears — about monthly when in use — to make sure they are adequately lubricated.
- There should be a decal on the gear plate assembly that shows the lubrication points on your lift.
Cables
If you were routinely rinsing the cables with fresh water after each use, especially after use in salty bodies of water, they are less likely to be corroded.
- Inspect the cables carefully for problems.
- Check for any signs of fraying, rust spots, kinks, broken strands.
- Check for misalignment and overloading.
- Check for improper drum winding.
- Check for cables without adequate tension.
- If the cables are “backlashing” and begin to spool out of alignment, adjust the cables immediately so they do not flatten.
- Lubricate cables and chains.
- Abrasive wear can occur on the inside and outside of cables due to individual strands rubbing against each other.
- Lubricants can increase the life of your boat lift’s cables significantly by:
- Removing dirt and contaminants from the external surfaces.
- Ensuring that the galvanized coating on the cable remains in stable condition.
- Preventing the cable strands from rubbing together.
- Lubricate to the core of the cable between strands and the exterior surfaces using a marine-grade anti-corrosion lubricant. Use grease-free oil or spray on the cables, not grease!
- If you see any signs of fraying, rust spots, kinks, broken strands, or other abnormalities, it is probably time to replace your cables. If in doubt, contact a professional to get an expert’s opinion on whether your cables need replacing.
- The “best practice” of boat lift maintenance for boat lift owners is to regularly replace stainless steel cables after two years of regular use even if you don’t see visible signs of problems. Trying to extend the life of your cables beyond that period is asking for trouble!
Boat Lift Warehouse has replacement cable here.
Boat Lift Bunks
Aluminum bunks and brackets are made to withstand corrosion and will need very little maintenance. You still want to inspect for any problems and tighten all hardware. 
- Eliminate worry about Rust or Rot
- Strong and durable
- Looks GREAT!
Wooden bunks are prone to more wear and tear and will need more maintenance and repair. 
- Check for rot, breaks, and cracks.
- Check for wear and tear on carpeted areas. Carpeted wood bunks will need periodic replacing. It will depend on how often they are used and water exposure, especially to salt water.
- Check the bunk brackets. Adjust the position of the brackets, if needed, and tighten all hardware.
Check out Boat Lift Warehouse’s carpet here.
At Boat Lift Warehouse, we are dedicated to finding the right boat lift solution for you. There are many types of boat lifts, boat lift motors, parts and accessories available, and we’re here to help you find what you need. Contact us by phone (877-468-5438), email, or our Request an Estimate page for any questions or concerns that you may have. See you on the water!
We operate out of Snow Hill, North Carolina and have been serving customers around the world since 2004.
We are strategically located in Eastern NC and can ship same day or next day.
