Although boat lifts are made of strong, durable materials, they can still be damaged by water-related issues. This includes saltwater damage to bunks, beams, cradles, and gear boxes as well as corrosion of metal parts like cables.

To minimize this type of damage, it’s best to perform regular maintenance on your Boat Dock Lift. Boat Dock Lifts Charleston SC will help ensure your investment lasts a long time.

During routine Boat Lift maintenance, it’s important to check the winch and motor for signs of damage or trouble. A simple inspection can help ensure that these key components continue to work properly for years to come.

Look for rust, dirt, or other debris that could be damaging the boat lift motor. Also, make sure the electrical connections are tight and that nothing is loose or disconnected. If you see any signs of overheating, it’s time to replace the motor or repair the existing one.

If you use your lift a lot, it’s recommended that you lubricate the (3) grease fittings and gear teeth on each flat plate winch monthly. A high temperature / marine-grade lubricant is best. Also, rinse cables and cradle beams after each use to prevent corrosion.

Most modern lifts are made of aluminum, which doesn’t corrode as easily as steel. However, it is still susceptible to water-related damage. The best way to avoid this is by keeping the lift out of the water as much as possible and rinsing it regularly.

Be sure to inspect the beams, cradles, and decking for rust, chips, or other signs of wear and tear. If you notice any of these issues, it’s important to fix them right away to avoid costly repairs in the future.

Finally, if your lift has been exposed to heavy winds or a severe storm, be sure to clear any debris that may have fallen on the boat lift. Then, if the sheave alignment is off, it’s important to realign it before operating the lift.

Once you’ve finished examining the sheave alignment and cable condition, it’s important to apply a small burst of penetrating oil on top of each cable wrapped around the winch drum. This will protect the cable from abrasion and reduce the risk of severe problems such as kinks, frays, or breaks. Additionally, it will keep moisture from clinging to the cable and sheave. Using the right lubricant can dramatically prolong the life of your lift cable.

A boat lift consists of many different parts and components, all of which need to be maintained for the system to work correctly. This includes the beams, cradles, pulleys and gearboxes. Each of these should be inspected on a regular basis to look for signs of corrosion or water damage. This will help to ensure that the lift continues to function smoothly for years to come.

The most critical component of the boat lift is the cables, which are responsible for lifting and lowering your watercraft. These cables can be damaged by salt water and should be replaced every two years or 200 up-and-down cycles, whichever comes first. During your inspection, be sure to look for any rust spots, fraying or kinks in the cable strands, which are signs that it is time to replace the cables. You should also inspect the sheave bearings to make sure that they are properly aligned. If the sheave bearings are misaligned, this can cause the cables to wear out more quickly.

It is important to rinse the lift cables after each use and regularly remove them from the water to prevent algae and debris buildup. Keeping the cables out of the water will also prolong their life and reduce the risk of corrosion and rusting. It is also recommended to lubricate the cables with a penetrating oil on a regular basis to minimize abrasion and wear and tear.

The sheave bearings on the pulleys should be lubricated as well. The lubrication should be done using the zerk grease fittings that are located on the pulleys. These should be lubricated every six months in order to keep the pulleys running smooth and minimize unnecessary wear on the cables. The lubrication will also help to minimize friction, heat and noise. It is recommended that you use a grease that is water resistant and not oily, as the latter can trap moisture inside the cable strands. It is also a good idea to use grooved aluminum cable winders, as these will help to minimize metal-on-metal abrasion and extend the life of the cables.

Boat lifts are some of the biggest investments for most dock owners and, like any other large investment, they need to be well-maintained for their maximum life expectancy. It’s important to check the lifts regularly for damage, and this is especially true during the off-season. This is when the most damage can occur, as rust and other problems often arise from prolonged exposure to water and humidity.

A visual inspection of the bunks and carpeting will reveal any holes or tears. Bunks made of wood should be checked for any rot or cracks and should also be cleaned of marine growth. Aluminum bunks are much more resistant to corrosion, but they still need to be cleaned periodically and tightened.

Whether the bunks are wood or aluminum, it’s a good idea to replace the carpeting. This will help reduce contact between the boat and the raw wood of the bunks.

It’s also a good time to make sure that the bunk boards are leveled fore and aft and that the center of gravity is properly positioned on the lift. Using the manufacturer’s guidelines as a guide, this is not difficult to do.

If the lift is going to be left out of the water for extended periods, it’s a good idea to cover it to protect it from snow and rain. This will also keep it out of the way of boats and other water-related equipment. Depending on the material of the dock, this might require the use of a heavy-duty canvas or even plastic sheeting.

When a lift is in storage, it’s a good idea to remove and safely store the battery if there is one. This will prevent it from draining and possibly corroding in the colder temperatures. It’s also a good time to check that all the electrical connections are in place and properly connected.

Finally, if the cable is equipped with sheaves, it’s a good idea to grease them. This will reduce friction between the sheaves and their mounts, which can cause them to seize up. The sheaves should also be aligned. If they aren’t, this can put a strain on the cable and increase the chance of slack or tangling during use.

As the storm-related social distancing and sheltering have begun to ease, people are trying to find ways to stay productive. For many, it means tackling the chores that they put off during normal times. For others, it means taking on the big jobs that need to be done before boating season can begin. For those who have a boat dock lift, completing a routine inspection is an important step that will help ensure the equipment is ready to use come springtime.

Start your inspection by looking at the lift’s frame. Look for signs of rust, corrosion or structural damage. Examine the welds and joints, especially those that connect the arms to the rest of the lift frame. If the lift is a vertical lift, check to make sure that all the arm pivot bolts are tight. Also, inspect the pulleys and make sure they are properly lubricated. This prevents them from wearing down due to friction.

Next, examine the electrical components of the lift. If there is any water on the electrical cables, it may indicate that they are wet and that there could be a potential shock hazard. Also, check to see that the GFCI (ground fault circuit interrupter) is working correctly. This device helps to reduce the risk of electric shock by shutting off the power to the lift when it detects current flowing along an unintended path, such as through water or a person.

Finally, check the controls for the lift to make sure they are in good working condition. If the controls are worn or cracked, consider replacing them. Finally, if you have a boat elevator lift, inspect the tracks for corrosion. Aluminum track can be particularly susceptible to galvanic corrosion, especially if they are exposed to saltwater. In order to minimize this corrosion, you can install sacrificial Zinc anodes on your lift’s tracks.

It is also a good idea to rinse the lift beams and cradle beams with fresh water after each use. This will rinse away any marine growth and salt that can cause the metal to corrode faster. It is also a good idea to keep the beams out of the water as much as possible when they are not in use, this will reduce wear from contact with the water(especially salt water), electrolysis and marine growth.