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Boat Lift Safety: Essential Boat Lift Maintenance Tips for Proper Use | Total Marina

Boat Lift Safety: Essential Boat Lift Maintenance Tips for Proper Use | Total Marina

Posted by HydroHoist Marketing Team on Apr 16th 2025

Boat Lift Safety: Essential Tips for Proper Use and Maintenance

Since you paid good money for it, it’s easy to assume your boat lift will work whenever you need it to. However, minor oversights and suboptimal usage and maintenance practices can lead to premature wear and outright equipment failure. The good news? You can prevent potential issues with attention to detail and proactive care. 

Below, we walk you through what you need to know to extend the life of your equipment and avoid costly repairs so you can focus on what matters: enjoying your time on the water. 

Understanding Boat Lift Safety

Boat lift safety is about understanding the equipment's limitations, using it thoughtfully, and regularly checking for wear or damage. By cultivating these habits, you safeguard your equipment and ensure a hassle-free boating experience. Perhaps more importantly, being more mindful of boat lift use enhances your equipment’s reliability, giving you the peace of mind of knowing your boat is safe, secure, and ready to launch into adventure.   

Proper Boat Lift Operation

Not sure how to center the boat on the lift? Wondering how high you should raise the lift? You’re not alone. Even experienced boaters have questions about the best practices for operating boat lifts.

Here are some tips to help you stay safe and protect your investments:


  • Lowering: Before lowering the boat, make sure the area beneath it is clear of obstacles. As soon as the vessel starts to float, lower the lift another 6 to 12 inches. Always wait until the watercraft is fully floating before allowing passengers to board. Boarding a boat while still supported by the lift can create uneven weight distribution, which may strain the lift or cause damage.
  • Launching: As you back out of the lift, do not turn the wheel and keep the engine straight to avoid colliding with the dock or lift structure. You can turn the wheel to maneuver after the bow clears the guide posts.  
  • Docking: Before approaching the lift, make sure the bunks are at the appropriate height below the waterline so you can safely drive over them. Slowly maneuver the boat toward the lift, using the guide posts to align it with the bunks. Shift in and out of gear while making steering adjustments to keep your approach slow. If you’re coming in at an angle, don’t try to drive onto the bunks in one go. Back off and reposition, as necessary, to avoid colliding with the pilings or the dock (BoatUS, 2018). 
  • Positioning: Align the boat squarely between the bunks and make sure the weight is distributed evenly before lifting. Most boats, including outboards, sterndrives, and V-drives, usually protrude out the front of the lift. Meanwhile, inboards with center-mounted engines are often more centered on the lift. Use markers or  visual guidesm such as a bow guide, to ensure the boat is centered, straight, and not tilted to one side, making minor adjustments as needed. 
  • Lifting: Before raising, double-check that the boat is floating freely and not touching the lift arms or any underwater hardware that could be damaged during lifting. Lift the watercraft until it’s level with the dock so you can disembark and unload. Then, raise the lift as high as needed and secure it using safety straps to minimize movement from wind or currents. 

Remember, proper lift operation isn’t just about getting your boat in and out of the water. It’s also about doing it safely, smoothly, and in a way that preserves your equipment for the long haul. 

Regular Maintenance Practices

Whether you have a cable-drawn lift or a hydraulic system, staying on top of inspections, lubrication, and timely part replacements will help prevent breakdowns, extend the life of your lift, and save you money in the long run.

Routine Inspections

Make it a habit to visually inspect your lift before each use and schedule more thorough checks every few months. Pay attention to the following:

    • Cables: Even with proper use, cables can fray, lose tension, or corrode over time. Look for uneven slack or tightness among the cables, which could indicate improper tension. Use a tension gauge to measure and ensure the cables meet the recommended specifications set by the manufacturer.
  • Support Structures: Depending on your setup, this may involve pilings, a seawall, or the dock system. Check for cracks, corrosion, or loose connections where the lift meets these structures. Pilings should not shift or tilt, while seawalls must show no signs of erosion or damage from repeated wave action. 
  • Bunks and Cradles: Inspect all contact points where the boat rests, looking for excessive or uneven wear and degradation. Look for cracks or bending, and ensure all connectors are free from corrosion.  
  • Leaks and Fluid Levels: Inspect hoses and seals for cracks, wear, or leaks and secure all fittings and connections. Low fluid levels often indicate leaks. For floating lifts, check the boat lift tanks and valves for leaks or pressure loss. Address any signs of pressure instability immediately to avoid system failure and costly repairs. 

Lubrication Schedules

For cable-drawn lifts, apply a light, marine-safe lubricant to the pulleys, winch, and cable guide system following the manufacturer’s recommended frequency and products. Avoid lubricating the cables directly unless the manufacturer specifically recommends doing so, as some coatings can trap grit and accelerate wear. 

For hydraulic and hydropneumatic lifts, clean and lubricate pivot points and hinges with a corrosion-resistant lubricant a few times per season and ensure all hydraulic hoses, valves, and fittings are sealed tightly to prevent moisture and debris from entering the system.

Parts Replacement

Boat lift parts have varying replacement timelines depending on their usage and exposure to environmental conditions. We recommend scheduling professional servicing at least once a year, ideally during the offseason, to catch issues or necessary parts replacement before they turn into costly repairs. 

For inquiries about boat hoist parts availability or compatibility, contact us at 800-825-3397. 

Common Mistakes to Avoid

One of the biggest mistakes is overloading the lift, whether that means exceeding the lift’s rated capacity or raising the boat while passengers are still on board. Both can strain the system and lead to premature failure. Another common issue is ignoring early signs of wear and tear, like fraying cables, slow lift speed, or odd noises. Remember, these small issues often signal underlying problems.

Finally, always check for gear, equipment, or other items that might become entangled in the cables, pulleys, or lift structure. When lifting the boat, be mindful of your poles and uprights to prevent any unexpected snags or damage.

Innovative Safety Features in Modern Boat Lifts

Thanks to the innovative pursuits of leading marine brands, today’s boat lifts are more intuitive and safer than ever. For example, HydroHoist’s floating lifts feature advanced accelerometer technology that automatically adjusts the valves to ensure level lifting and lowering across the platform. Moreover, should the boat go past 10 degrees out of level, the unit locks out so you can safely lower the boat and assess potential positioning issues (Great Lakes Scuttlebutt, 2019).  

Aside from high-tech systems, top boat lifts come equipped with or have the option for boat lift accessories like motor stops, bow stops, and guide-ons that offer simple yet effective safety enhancements. These features help position your boat correctly every time, reducing the risk of overrun, misalignment, or uneven weight distribution. 

Preparing for Extreme Weather Conditions

For cable-drawn lifts, raise the cradle well above the anticipated storm surge but avoid lifting it to the very top, which can strain the cables and pulleys. Secure the boat with strong tie-downs or remove it entirely if a major storm or hurricane is expected. We recommend relocating the boat to a more sheltered area before major storms or hurricanes. 

According to Brinson Marine Waterfront Manager Chris Jacobs, the only two things to consider when leaving your lift in the water over winter are the motor and the battery. If you won’t be using the lift during the offseason, it’s best to remove those components and store them in a dry, climate-controlled space with the battery connected to a trickle charger to maintain optimal charge levels. Otherwise, the hoist can sit out as is under most winter conditions (Brinson Marine, 2021).

Contact our experts today for all your boat lift part needs or to answer any additional questions about boat lift safety.

FAQs

  • What is the recommended frequency for boat lift maintenance?​

Aside from regular inspections and cleaning, we recommend professional preventive maintenance checks before the beginning and end of each boating season. This helps ensure the lift is in optimal condition for the busy months and allows you to address potential issues before the offseason. 

  • Is it safe to operate a boat lift during inclement weather?​

We don’t recommend using boat lifts during adverse weather. Harsh conditions, such as strong winds, heavy rain, or high waves, can compromise the lift’s stability and create hazards for the equipment, the boat, and the individuals around. 

  • What weight considerations should I keep in mind to avoid overloading my boat lift?

Always adhere to the weight capacity specified by the manufacturer.  In addition to your boat’s wet weight, factor in fuel, water, and all gear and equipment typically stored onboard. This is why we recommend getting a lift with a capacity that's 20-25% more than your boat’s wet weight. In fact, many seasoned boaters suggest getting the highest-rated lift you can afford. 



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