5 Boat Lift Mistakes You Should Avoid

If you’ve just bought your boat lift, you must be eager to put it to the test. Perhaps you’ve also checked some tutorials on how to use a boat lift. That’s fair enough, but maybe you shouldn’t get it into the waters yet. At least not before learning about the below five mistakes.

So, what should you avoid when using a boat lift? We’ve rounded up some five mistakes to be aware of.

1.  Exceeding the Weight Capacity 

Every lift has its rated weight capacity. Exceeding this weight limit may cause damage to your boat lift. It can be tempting to assume that the lift can support a few extra pounds and end up breaking the cables, or worse, damaging the pulleys or the entire hydraulic system.

That said, the rated weight capacity of the lift should accommodate the weight of fuel, personal equipment, and anything that you’ll take with you to the waters. To be on the safer side, you want to ensure some allowance of a few hundred pounds for the extra weight.

2.  Poor Positioning of the Boat

Before lifting your boat in and out of the waters, you always want to ensure it’s in a perfect balance. Whether there are waves or not, always pay attention to how the boat sits from all sides. This isn’t anything complicated, but you may need regular practice to ensure accuracy. 

To avoid imbalance, you should position your boat on the center of the boat lift. This seems pretty straightforward, but boat owners sometimes fail to make the proper judgment. Placing the boat in the middle means the front, back, and even sides are balanced during elevation.

Any balancing mistake could make your boat move with the waves. You may also consider adding motor stops and guides to the boat lift so you can quickly get it to the proper position before lifting.

3.  Raising the Boat Too Far    

Your boat’s lifting height has been designed with careful consideration of the boat’s weight and the resultant stress on the cables and pulley. Exceeding the lifting height, even by an inch, is a huge mistake that most manufacturers do not recommend. 

If you continue to crank the winch once the boat is fully raised, you risk damaging the pulleys, cables, or other boat lift parts. Some lifts shut off automatically once it reaches maximum height, but that doesn’t mean it’s a healthy control for your every-day operation. In fact, if you allow this to happen frequently, there’s a risk that some parts will fail or the lift will shut down completely. 

4.  Poor Loading Techniques 

One of the common mistakes that most people make is loading the lift before lowering the boat into the water. And while you still want to avoid the waves, poor loading techniques bring your lift closer to the maximum rating.

A rule of thumb is to load the boat on the water to help you determine the best weight distribution. Similarly, lower the vessel before adding any heavy equipment to ensure the safety of the equipment and proper balance. If you are operating the boat lift for the first time, you should seek help from someone who knows to use a boatlift, preferably a licensed and insured boatlift technician.  

5.  Poor Preparation     

Your boat lift, like any other machine, needs proper servicing before use. If you plan to stay in the waters for the entire summer, it only makes sense that you prepare adequately. One of the common mistakes is failing to maintain the cables. Not only are you supposed to lubricate them with oil, but you also need to check for failing parts that might need replacement. Besides scheduling professional safety inspections of the various boat lift parts, you need to prepare for emergencies. 

Proper preparation also means considering what you are supposed to do and what you shouldn’t do. For instance, you should be responsible enough to avoid undue accidents or harm to the environment, such as fuel or oil spills. Similarly, avoid alcohol use if you’ll be operating the boat lift or boat itself.

Seek Help Where Necessary

It’s easy to overlook what’s at stake as you try to lift that boat in or above the waters. Instead of relying on your untrained hands and perhaps your limited skills, you want first to learn how to use a boat lift from a certified professional. This way, you’ll learn everything first-hand, from installation procedures to safety precautions. 

At Tonka Built, we understand how valuable your boat lift is and are committed to ensuring your safety and comfort in the waters. Our boat lift installation, repair and maintenance services prioritize quality and customer satisfaction. We’ll train you to use your boatlift like a pro, so you avoid the above mistakes. We also offer routine maintenance and inspection to ensure your boat lift’s cables, pulleys, electric motors, and hydraulics are in good condition.

For any questions about our services, contact us today via email at [email protected] or call us on 952-221-5340 to speak to our customer service representative.