5 Mistakes To Avoid When Using Your Boat Lift
Owning a boat opens the door to endless adventures on the water, but protecting that investment is just as important as enjoying it. A boat lift is a game-changer for boat owners, offering essential protection against damage caused by water exposure, corrosion, and improper docking.
However, to ensure your boat lift works efficiently and lasts for years, it's crucial to avoid certain mistakes that could undermine its functionality or even lead to costly repairs.
Here’s a comprehensive guide to help you avoid the most common pitfalls that boat owners face with their lifts. Get familiar with the biggest mistakes to avoid when using your boat lift so you can make the most out of this essential part of boat ownership.
#1 Underestimating Weight Limits: Safety First
Every boat lift comes with a weight limit for a reason and exceeding that capacity can lead to catastrophic failure. Unfortunately, many boat owners underestimate the combined weight of their vessel, fuel, and onboard gear, and assume their lift can handle more than it was originally designed for.
To avoid this, it's essential to know the exact weight of your boat, including fuel, equipment, and passengers, and ensure your lift has sufficient capacity to handle the load. Look up your boat’s dry weight in its manual and then account for any additional weight. When in doubt, opting for a lift with a higher weight capacity provides an extra level of safety and peace of mind.
Cutting corners here may save money initially, but the risk to your boat, your lift, and your safety isn’t worth it. Always following weight capacity recommendations ensures that you have peace of mind when pulling your boat onto the lift, which is a key reason for getting the lift in the first place.
#2 The Right Placement: Avoiding Damage
Where you place your boat lift is more critical than you might think. It’s easy for boat owners to make the mistake of installing their lift in areas that are overly shallow, fraught with strong currents, or too close to obstructions like docks or pilings. Improper placement can lead to physical damage to both your boat and the lift itself.
When choosing a location, consider water depth, the stability of the seabed, and proximity to dock structures. Ideally, the water should be deep enough to allow your boat to be fully supported without running aground, but not so deep that installing pilings or attachments becomes unstable. Additionally, ensure the area is sheltered from strong currents or tides, which can create unnecessary strain on the lift mechanism.
Consulting with a marine construction expert can help you select the most optimal placement and avoid long-term headaches. Don’t forget that the proper placement also applies to your boat as you store it on the lift. You must always carefully pull the boat into the lift, ensuring it isn’t hanging off the edge or otherwise obscured on the platform.
#3 Overlooking Maintenance: A Costly Error
Regular maintenance is the lifeline of your boat lift, yet it's a task that many boat owners neglect. Unfortunately, this results in disastrous consequences. Without proper upkeep, components like pulleys, cables, and motors are prone to wear and tear, which can eventually compromise the safety of your lift.
Establish a routine to inspect your lift for corrosion, fraying cables, or any mechanical issues. Lubricate moving parts to ensure they operate smoothly. Don’t forget to tighten bolts and connections that may loosen over time.
Remember to check the lift's motor and replace any aging parts in accordance with the manufacturer’s recommendations. Routine cleaning is also important; removing barnacles, algae, and salt buildup will help prevent corrosion and maintain operational efficiency. Staying proactive with maintenance will save you from costly repairs and extend the lifespan of your investment.
#4 Ignoring Weather Warnings: Protecting Your Investment
A boat lift is not an incredibly delicate structure that you should stress about every time the wind picks up. For example, at KC Marine, we are boat lift dealers that carry durable structures that will easily store your boat when you’re not using it. However, that doesn’t mean you should ignore extreme weather, as this can cause problems for anything you have on the water, whether a boat or a jet ski.
Weather is one of the most unpredictable forces your boat lift will face, and dismissing its impact can lead to significant damage. Prolonged exposure to harsh conditions like storms, hurricanes, or freezing weather can compromise the structural integrity of your lift and endanger your boat.
Keep an eye on weather forecasts and prepare proactively. If severe weather is on the horizon, consider raising your boat as high as possible on the lift to minimize its exposure to storm surges. If conditions are extreme, it may be safer to remove the boat from the lift and store it securely on land.
For areas with freezing winters, protect your lift from ice damage by winterizing it—this might include using de-icers and ensuring no water remains in the lines or cylinders. Adapting your approach to the weather will ensure your boat lift and boat remain safe all year round.
#5 Delaying Repairs: Making Matters Worse
One of the biggest mistakes you must avoid when using a boat lift is delaying or avoiding necessary repairs. It’s understandable if you want to delay repairs to put off having to make the effort and spend the money to get any problems fixed. Your time is precious, but turning a blind eye to boat lift issues will only make matters worse.
Over time, even minor issues such as rusted cables, worn pulleys, or misaligned beams can escalate into costly damage or pose serious safety risks. Ignoring these problems could lead to structural failure, potentially causing harm to your boat and those nearby.
Timely repairs not only extend the life of your boat lift but also prevent unexpected malfunctions that can disrupt your boating plans. Addressing repairs promptly ensures that your lift continues to operate efficiently, maintaining the protection your watercraft deserves.
If you're unsure whether your lift needs servicing, consult a professional to conduct a thorough inspection. Investing in maintenance now can save you significant time, stress, and expense in the future.
Build Your Experience With Care
A boat lift is a vital tool that safeguards your prized vessel and enhances your boating experience. However, achieving the full benefits of this equipment hinges on proper use. Avoiding mistakes like poor placement, skipping maintenance, exceeding weight limits, or overlooking weather risks will not only ensure the safety and longevity of your lift but also provide you with more carefree days out on the water.
Now that you know more about common boat lift mistakes, you can keep your boating adventures smooth and worry-free. Your next voyage starts with smart care—make it an informed one.
