Boat lifts are one of the most important things for any boat owner who is serious about taking care of their boat, proper maintenance, and repairs. It’s for those people who are in charge of the storage of their boat, even outside of the season, and it can help make their life so much easier. Now, there are different types of boat lifts out there, each suitable for a different type of boat and depth of the sea.
Picking the right boatlift is not where all your problems will end. You also need to learn how to maintain them and fix some of the common issues. Speaking of which, here are some of the most common issues you may encounter.
1. Cable wear and tear
The most common problem with boat lifts is the wear and tear of the cable. Sure, it’s made from sturdy material, but it will become worn, frayed, and even corroded over time. If this goes on for long enough unchecked, this could become a serious problem.
This can be an incredible problem since a damaged cable could snap and result in an incident that will damage your boat. The damage to the boat will be more expensive than any cable replacement, which is why it’s so important that you regularly inspect your cable.
While this is not impossible, it is very unlikely that your cable will just randomly snap. Instead, you’ll see gradual wear and tear. Inspecting the cable regularly will ensure that you spot the damage before it becomes critical. In fact, even without a close inspection, chances are that the signs of wear and tear on the cable will become visible.
Remember, there’s no patching or fixing the cable. You have to replace it in order to fix a major damage. In other words, a new cable and a full replacement. Fortunately, this is not an expensive replacement. All you need to do is get the right cable, which is why you need to read the owner’s manual or consult with specialists beforehand.
2. Motor malfunctions
Another problem happens with electric lifts, which is a scenario where the motor starts malfunctioning. This is a serious problem that will make your motor and your lift completely unusable. This is a bit costlier and more complex. It’s also one of the main reasons why people sometimes choose to buy manual boat lifts, even when they can afford more expensive variants.
Now, this most often happens due to water damage. However, you cannot attribute all the damage to water. Motors on land malfunction all the time, and they’re not exposed to saltwater. Sometimes, electrical connections malfunction or wires get loose.
Keep in mind that this is a complex repair that you shouldn’t attempt to fix on your own. Otherwise, you risk injuring yourself or making matters worse. This is why you want to consult specialists. A lot of mechanics (even boat mechanics) won’t know much about boat lift repairs, which is why you might have to go straight to a vendor. Just find who’s offering boat lifts for sale and ask them about spare parts and servicing options. Ideally, you want to contact the ones that have sold you the lift to begin with.
3. Unlevel lift
In order to be functional and work as intended, your lift needs to be completely leveled. If one side is elevated more than the other, this will cause a lot of problems and create trouble with even some of the basic lifting operations. One of the important things to understand here is that a proper lift installation matters for the coastal nature, as well.
The thing you need to keep in mind is that while this does occur during installation, it could also happen later on, either due to changes in the platform or due to changes in the structure/balance of the lift itself.
One of the reasons why this might happen is due to problems with the lift structure. This is especially the case when you have a metal lift and some of these metal parts of the lift corrode. This is even more common in saltwater environments. The best way to avoid this is to clean your lift structure and apply the necessary coatings actively.
The solution to this problem is to check the cable winding on the spools in order to see if the distribution is even and adjust the lift cradle in order to make sure it’s level. The more frequently you inspect this, the better. Sure, it’s a hassle but it really doesn’t take you that long to conduct this test.
4. Winch problems
Winch is a key component of most boat lifts, and there are so many things that can go wrong with it. First of all, you could have difficulty operating it because it becomes too hard to turn, regardless if you’re operating it manually or with an electric motor.
One of the reasons that this happens is because of the build-up of dirt and grime, and the best way to handle this is to clean it up. If the problem comes from the fact that the parts are worn out, you might have to replace these damaged parts. Ultimately, you may just have to lubricate it a bit better.
The key thing you have to do is learn how to recognize early signs. Unusual noises or increased resistance (from previous instances) could be the first indicators that something’s not right.
Of course, difficulty in operation is not the only problem. Cable slipping, electrical failures, stripped gears, and even motor overheating (when it comes to electric winches).
Wrap up
Of course, this is just the tip of the iceberg of all the potential problems that you’ll face when owning and handling a lift.
The bottom line is that, in order to avoid the worst aspect, you have to conduct regular inspections, make sure that you’re using the equipment the right way, and even use protective measures like covers and coatings. Also, make sure to routinely clean all the equipment, especially if it goes into the saltwater, seeing as how the corrosion is the bane of these lifts.
Lastly, while there are undoubtedly some things that you can handle on your own, you should always look for professional service (whenever you have the option).
