Boat lift repair
June 21, 2011
I have been receiving many call this spring on boat lift repair, dock repair as well as how to adjust a standing a lift in very high water. I will try and address a few of the common questions that i get.
1. My lift is hard to crank up?
-Inspect clean or replac ethe brake pads, I have a great video on my website to show you how to do this.
-Check all pulleys to make sure they are working properly. Another video on my site is available.
-Make sure the weight capacity of the lift is adequate for your boat. Check the weight of your boat and know the capacity of your lift.
2. What capacity is my boat lift?
-Look for a decal that may show you the capacity or model number. if you cannot find a decal, send me a photo or give me a call and I may be able to help.
3. is there a "fudge factor" in the weight capacity?
-NO the capacity is the safe capacity. Manufacturers do not build in a "fudge factor" into the lifts. If the capacity of a lift is stated to be 3000 pounds than that is the maximum weight the lift can safely handle. Please besure to know the wet weight of your watercraft as it may be different than posted weight from manufacturer. consider fuel, batteries, acc., water tanks etc...
4. My lake level high this year, how do I know if my dock or lift is out of the water enough?
-This is a difficult question to answer as every location is different. The key is to keep your water craft and/or the frame of the dock above all wave activity. In many cases this requires the boat or frame of dock to be above the water at least 12-18 inches however on larger lakes this distance will require more space. SO please consider a major wind and the wave action of your location before deciding on the safest height of your waterfront equipment.
5. A large wind blew my panels off of my dock, how can I keep this from happening?
-Most likely it was not the wind that the blew the panels off the dock but it was from the waves hitting the underside of the panels causing them to lift off and end up in the water. This can be avoided by raising the dock high enough out of the water so the waves do not hit the dock in the first place. ShoreMaster offers a turn clip to lock down the panels to the frame that may help in these situations, however if the waves are large enough, locked clips or permenent decking on a dock, can actually cause the dock to be moved or tipped over in strong wave activity.this may actually cause more serious dammge and expense. The best way to avoid the problem is to make sure the dock is high enough out of the water so it will avoid the wave activity from the start.
1. My lift is hard to crank up?
-Inspect clean or replac ethe brake pads, I have a great video on my website to show you how to do this.
-Check all pulleys to make sure they are working properly. Another video on my site is available.
-Make sure the weight capacity of the lift is adequate for your boat. Check the weight of your boat and know the capacity of your lift.
2. What capacity is my boat lift?
-Look for a decal that may show you the capacity or model number. if you cannot find a decal, send me a photo or give me a call and I may be able to help.
3. is there a "fudge factor" in the weight capacity?
-NO the capacity is the safe capacity. Manufacturers do not build in a "fudge factor" into the lifts. If the capacity of a lift is stated to be 3000 pounds than that is the maximum weight the lift can safely handle. Please besure to know the wet weight of your watercraft as it may be different than posted weight from manufacturer. consider fuel, batteries, acc., water tanks etc...
4. My lake level high this year, how do I know if my dock or lift is out of the water enough?
-This is a difficult question to answer as every location is different. The key is to keep your water craft and/or the frame of the dock above all wave activity. In many cases this requires the boat or frame of dock to be above the water at least 12-18 inches however on larger lakes this distance will require more space. SO please consider a major wind and the wave action of your location before deciding on the safest height of your waterfront equipment.
5. A large wind blew my panels off of my dock, how can I keep this from happening?
-Most likely it was not the wind that the blew the panels off the dock but it was from the waves hitting the underside of the panels causing them to lift off and end up in the water. This can be avoided by raising the dock high enough out of the water so the waves do not hit the dock in the first place. ShoreMaster offers a turn clip to lock down the panels to the frame that may help in these situations, however if the waves are large enough, locked clips or permenent decking on a dock, can actually cause the dock to be moved or tipped over in strong wave activity.this may actually cause more serious dammge and expense. The best way to avoid the problem is to make sure the dock is high enough out of the water so it will avoid the wave activity from the start.
Posted by Gary Johnson.
