Extending the life of your Boat Lift
You can prolong the life of your boat lift and reduce maintenance by doing just a few things. If your boat lift is not to be used for several months you can extend the life of the motor, winch, and mechanical parts by taking a few simple steps.
- Inspect your lift at the end of the season for worn parts
- Check the cables for signs of fraying
- For electric lifts, remove the motor and store it inside if the lift will not be used
- Secure the lift in case of storms
- Grease all grease points and check bearings for noise and operation
- Check rollers and wearable components
- Ensure that the lift moves freely without binding or straining
Now is a good time to order replacement parts. When the spring arrives boat lift companies are busier and it takes longer for manufacturers to ship parts.
Removing the Boat Lift
If your lake freezes over then your boat lift should be removed for the winter. We provide wheel kits for easily rolling ShoreMaster lifts out of the water.
Dock-mounted lifts that rotate should be rotated over the dock and secured if the lift is not to be used. Non-rotating lifts should be removed if the lake will freeze.
Boathouse lifts installed overhead, and coastal 4-piling lifts should be secured so that the cradle does not cause damage if there is a severe storm.
A boat should never be left on a lift if you will be away for any length of time. Another option is to contract with a marina to remove the boat for you if there a severe storm comes up.
A boat lift should be disassembled as little as possible when stored. It is easy to lose small components if the lift is completely disassembled. Place all removed bolts and small hardware in a clearly marked box and store it with the lift.
This post was originally published in May 2017 and has been updated for comprehensiveness.
