Boat Lift Maintenance 101: Expert Cable and Motor Repair Tips

by Abbey Tegelhutter April 01, 2023

Below are some common questions we get about maintaining boathouse lifts. If you have a question that isn’t listed, feel free to contact us at pam@rjsboatlifts.com or call our office at 352-394-5666. Our team of experts would love to help you!

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Questions

Cables

When should I replace my boat Lift cable?

Your boat lift cables will wear out over time. Depending on the type of cable you have, there will be visible signs of wear when it’s time to replace the cables. If you have galvanized cables, they will start to rust when it’s close to breaking. Stainless steel cable, on the other hand, wears from the inside out making it harder to know when it’s close to wearing out. If you suspect it’s getting close to wearing out, you can very carefully run your hand along the cable to feel for loose strands - just use extreme caution. Otherwise, you may end up cutting yourself.

What should I do if my cable breaks or snaps?

Don’t panic. The cables on your lift wear out like the tires on your car - so breakage is common. We recommend you replace all four cables even if only one snapped, as the others may be close to breaking. You can either replace the cable yourself or call a boat lift repair company. To purchase replacement cable or to schedule our team, call us at 352-394-5666.

How long do boat lift cables last?

Boat lift cables wear out like the tires on your car. On average, they need to be replaced every three to five years but can wear out slower or quicker depending on how much you use it. For questions or for assistance replacing your cables, call our team at 352-394-5666.

Should boat lift cables be lubricated?

It’s important to regularly maintain your boat lift by lubricating the cables with motor oil. Doing so will help prevent undue wear and tear and help your cables last longer.

Boat Lift Maintenance

How do I grease a boat lift?

It’s important that you regularly maintain your boat lift by greasing the motor and lubricating the cables. Follow the guide below to grease your lift’s motor a minimum of every six months, or contact our team to schedule an annual service for your boat lift.

Where do I grease my boat lift motor?

First, remove your boat from the lift. Then, grease your motor on the four grease fittings pictured below, while running the lift up and down several times. Doing so will ensure proper grease distribution to all the mechanical parts.

How do I maintain my boat lift cables?

There are several things you can do to help your boat lift cables have a longer life. Most importantly, never leave your lift sitting in the water. Doing so will cause the cables to rust and corrode prematurely, leading to breakage and other problems. Be sure to regularly lubricate your cables with motor oil to help prevent chafing and extend your cable’s life. For questions or to schedule a service with our team, call us at 352-394-5666.

Motor Trouble

Why is my boat lift motor not working?

There can be several reasons why your motor stopped running on your boat lift. It may be that there is no power to your dock, the motor’s contacts are blocked, or the motor has died. Feel free to try the solutions listed below. For a replacement motor or to help from our team, call our office at 352-394-5666.

How do you fix a motor on a boat lift?

First, make sure the power is working on your dock. Try plugging in a small appliance (like a hair dryer) to make sure you have power on your dock. If you have power and the motor still isn’t running, there may be something blocking the contacts. Carefully open the motor to see if there’s anything inside (like mud daubers or dirt) and clean it out. If the motor still isn’t working, feel free to call our office at 352-394-5666.