When to Repair or Replace Your Gull Lake Home’s Boat Lift

When you own waterfront property, protecting valuable possessions from damage is crucial, and that’s where a boat lift can help. But beyond watercraft maintenance, it’s also essential to maintain your Gull Lake home’s boat lift and understand when to repair or replace parts. Let’s take a look at some of the common signs that indicate that your boat lift may need repair or replacement:

1. Controls That Malfunction. If the remote controls that regulate up/down boat lift movement, switches, and/or harnesses aren’t working correctly, these can all cause damage to both your lift and your watercraft. Be sure to perform regular visual inspections and note if operational changes occur.

2. Cables That Wear Out. Cables are the most crucial component of any boat lift because they bear the entire weight of your watercraft. Since boat lifts often have stainless or galvanized steel cables, they are prone to rust. Also, a faulty drum winding, overloading, poor alignment, and inadequate tension can cause cables to wear out. Be sure to conduct regular visual inspections, along with periodic maintenance to ensure that your cables up-to-speed.

3. Rust. Steel is a popular choice for constructing boat lifts; however, as mentioned above, it is prone to rust. If you catch rust early enough, you can grind it or apply paint or a protective sealant to mitigate further corrosion. If you are in the market to replace your boat lift, consider selecting an aluminum boat lift that is more resistant to rust.

4. Faulty Motor. The most common boat lift motor problems are a defective up button, faulty motor wiring, or a motor with incorrect voltage or faulty fuses. If any of these things happen, it’s time to call in a marine technician. Need local Gull Lake recommendations? Reach out to us anytime.

5. Sinking Piles. A steady surface is integral for your boat lift to operate correctly. This means that the condition of the piling that your lift sits on is crucial. Shifting or sinking piling can destabilize your boat lift, and this represents a structural hazard. Call a professional marine construction worker to repair the piling so that it is stable. Need a recommendation? Reach out to us anytime.

Performing regular visual inspections, making a note of any functionality anomalies or irregularities, and making swift repairs to your Gull Lake home’s boat lift ultimately protects your watercraft and possessions.

Are you looking for a lakefront home or a home in the SW Michigan area? Contact Team Clancy! We would be happy to put our YEARS of experience to work for you. Let us know if you have any questions. (269) 629-4186.

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