If you want to prevent costly damages to your boat, you’ll want to keep your vessel out of the water when not in use. A boat lift in Pompano Beach will help you do just that. While boat lift systems are robust enough to support your boat’s weight, they require proper maintenance and care to serve you well. Moreover, neglect and poor maintenance can lead to boat lift issues that necessitate repairs.
Boat Lift Repair Issues
Rust
Reddish or brownish-orange-colored rust is a form of corrosion that develops when metal is exposed to air and moisture. If you detect rust early enough, you can grind it off the metal and enlist the help of a marine construction contractor to mitigate further corrosion by applying protective sealant and paint.
Although steel is one of the most popular choices for boat lifts, this material is vulnerable to rust. If you’re looking for a material that offers more resistance to rust, you’ll want to choose an aluminum boat lift system.
Malfunctioning Motor
Since the motor powers your boat lift system, it serves as its lifeline. It enables you to quickly raise and lower your vessel in and out of the water. Burnt fuses, faulty wiring, a defective up-button, and an incorrect amount of voltage to the motor are some of the most common motor-related issues.
Although a marine technician may fix a motor that won’t start or stay on, won’t lift, or will only turn on manually, more severe motor problems may require replacing.
Worn Cables
Your boat lift’s cables act as your system’s workhorse. Moreover, they allow you to lower and lift your vessel without a hitch. However, since the boat lift’s regular up-and-down movement makes the cables prone to wear and tear, they require periodic maintenance.
Additionally, galvanized or stainless steel cables are susceptible to rust, which causes most cable-related issues. Misalignment, inadequate tension, faulty drum winding, and the boat lift system overload can also wear the lift cables.
Faulty Boat Lift Controls
The harnesses, switches, and remotes make up the boat lift controls that regulate the lift system’s up-and-down movement. The controls allow you to lift and lower your vessel efficiently as they turn the lift system’s gear drive pipe, gear plate, and motor.
The most common causes of faulty boat controls include electrical faults and corroded circuit contacts. In such cases, the lift system raises the watercraft tooth high, potentially causing damage to the lift and the vessel. Furthermore, faulty remote controls that need rewiring can sometimes make the motor run in the opposite direction, raising or lowering the boat more challenging.
While electrical issues may affect how your lift system works, regularly inspecting the system’s various components and ensuring proper use and preventive maintenance will prolong your boat lift’s life.
Sinking Piles
Pilings are essential for a boat lift system because they stabilize the structure and provide a solid foundation for flowing water. The pilings will significantly affect the boat lift’s efficiency when poorly installed.
An inadequately driven piling will shift, sink, and destabilize the boat lift system, causing it to bind. You can always avoid creating safety hazards that may lead to considerable structural damage by ensuring proper installation of the boat lift system.
Looking for a Quality Boat Lift in Pompano Beach?
At Hurricane Boat Lifts, we design and build the highest quality and most attractive boat lifts at affordable prices. Contact us today to make an appointment.