Own A Boat Lift In South Florida? Keep It Running With These 18 Answers.
Saltwater, storms and heavy boats test every lift. Here is what to watch, what to stop doing, and when to call, from the crew that services lifts across South Florida.
5.0- 35+ Years
- Licensed & Insured
- Lifetime Workmanship Guarantee
Recommended professional service
Strands, lean, movement, damage, water
Waterfront faults are dangerous
Answers last verified
Written by Marc McGowan, owner of Boat Lift Installers. Two generations and 35+ years of combined experience installing, building and servicing boat lifts, docks and seawalls across South Florida. Updated September 2026.
Rated 5.0 On Google.
“They did my lift in Ft. Lauderdale I wouldn’t recommend anyone else! Very respectful when I was asking him questions too!”
“Always ready / fast quote/ fast execution… I have good service with Mark, He do my maintenance periodically, I ‘m very happy with him!!”
“Marc and his team did a great job installing a 15KLB lift for me within the schedule I gave him and on budget. I'm very happy with the work they provided and would highly recommend if you're in the market for a new lift.”
“Marc and his team were communicative, professional, and informative throughout the whole process for my lift. The price was great, and the whole process was surprisingly seamless and stress free. I would recommend to anyone looking for a boat lift or dock.”
“Would recommend Boat Lift Installers LLC. 10/10 times. Very professional and knowledgeable with lots of experience in the boat lift industry. Recently had a 50,000 lb hurricane lift installed for a large center console and it has worked flawlessly. Mark and his team are punctual, precise, and always available to help and answer questions.”
“It is a pleasure to write this review. Marc is an excellent professional who is knowledgeable, dedicated, and highly focused. He is a pleasure to work with, and you will be very pleased with your decision to choose him and his company.”
“Marc came through with an excellent job on this lift. It’s hard to find a boss who works with his crew. Great service and quick install. Definitely will be dealing again in the future. Thanks guys.”
“Boat lift installers did a phenomenal job at a great and fair price. And delivered on all of their promises. Marc and crew are high quality , high integrity guys for sure”
“Marc always does a great job making sure my lift is at peak performance!”
A broken cable strand, severe leaning, uncontrolled movement, structural damage or submerged electrical equipment. Keep people clear, turn the power off at the disconnect and call a qualified technician.
Boat Lift Owner FAQ: 18 Answers In Five Topics.
Tap a question to open the answer.
Service & Care
The routine that keeps a saltwater lift reliable.
How often should my boat lift be professionally serviced?
Every six months. Boat Lift Installers LLC recommends professional service twice a year for South Florida lifts, plus an inspection after storms, impacts or anything unusual. A complete visit covers cables, pulleys, bearings, drives, motors, controls, bunks, fasteners, pilings and electrical equipment. See our service program.
How often should I rinse my lift with fresh water?
Regularly, and especially after heavy salt spray. Focus on cables, cradle beams, pulleys, bunks and hardware. Do not pressure-wash motors, switches or electrical enclosures, and follow the manufacturer’s cleaning instructions.
When should lift cables be replaced?
There is no single interval for every lift. Replace cables when inspection finds broken strands, flattening, kinks, severe corrosion, uneven winding or other damage. A broken strand is a reason to stop using the lift and arrange service. Our cable guide covers the ten warning signs.
Can barnacles or marine growth damage the lift?
Yes. Growth can interfere with moving components, hide corrosion and increase resistance. Remove it with methods suited to the lift materials and approved for the waterway, without damaging protective coatings.
When should bunks be replaced?
When bunks or their coverings are loose, split, rotten, distorted or exposing fasteners. Bunks that no longer match the hull may need to be repositioned or replaced before further use. See the bunk guide.
Troubleshooting
Symptoms that mean stop and call.
Why is my lift raising unevenly?
Possible causes include uneven cable winding, a stretched or slipping cable, pulley misalignment, unequal vessel loading, a bent cradle or a drive problem. Stop operating a lift that racks noticeably; continued use can overload the remaining components. See the pulley and sheave guide.
Why is the motor humming or struggling?
Low voltage, a failing capacitor, corroded wiring, a jammed drive, excessive weight or motor failure. Do not keep holding the switch. Turn the lift off and have the electrical and mechanical systems checked. See the motor and gearbox guide.
Why does my breaker or GFCI keep tripping?
Moisture, damaged wiring, motor failure, leakage current or an overloaded circuit. Do not bypass the protection or keep resetting it. Waterfront electrical faults can energize surrounding metal or water. See the remote and control box guide.
Is a leaning piling dangerous?
Potentially. A leaning, cracked, split or loose piling can change cable alignment and reduce stability. Stop using the lift when movement is new or significant and have the piling and bottom conditions evaluated. See the piling guide.
Something Sounds Wrong? Stop Cycling The Lift.
Extra movement can turn a small repair into a large one. Lower the boat only if the lift is operating normally, then call us for a service visit.
Loading & Fit
What the lift is really carrying.
How should my boat sit on the lift?
Centered and balanced on correctly adjusted bunks. Bunks should support the right hull areas without touching trim tabs, strakes, transducers, intakes or running gear. Follow the boat and lift manufacturers’ placement requirements.
Can added equipment overload my lift?
Yes. Actual load includes engines, fuel, water, batteries, towers, fishing equipment, coolers, stored gear and rainwater. Evaluate the lift against the boat’s fully loaded operating weight, not dry weight alone.
Can I use my existing lift for a different boat?
Only after checking the new boat’s loaded weight, beam, length, hull shape and center of gravity. A boat can be under the lift’s capacity and still be incompatible with its bunks, cradle or piling spacing.
How high should I store the boat during normal use?
High enough to keep the hull and lower units clear of normal tides, wakes and marine growth, within the manufacturer’s limits. Normal storage height is not the same as hurricane preparation.
Storms & Power
Before, during and after the weather.
Should I leave my boat on the lift during a hurricane?
There is no universal safe answer. Moving a trailerable boat inland and away from tidal water is generally safer when time and a safe destination are available. If it must stay, follow the manufacturer’s storm plan, account for surge and rainwater, remove loose gear and confirm the plan with your insurer.
Should I operate the lift after a hurricane?
Inspect it first. Look for displaced cables, leaning pilings, bent beams, damaged bunks, debris and electrical exposure. If any motor, control, disconnect or wiring was submerged, keep the power off until qualified professionals evaluate it.
Can I run the lift from a portable generator?
Only through a system designed and approved for that connection. A licensed electrician should provide the correct transfer or connection equipment. Never back-feed dock or home wiring through a receptacle.
Permits & Insurance
Repairs, paperwork and coverage.
Do lift repairs require a permit?
Routine maintenance may be treated differently from structural work. Replacing pilings, moving the lift, changing its footprint or capacity, or significant electrical work commonly requires permits. Check with the city and the applicable environmental authority first. When a repair needs a permit, we handle it.
Is my lift covered by insurance?
Coverage varies. Ask whether the lift, dock and seawall are covered; whether wind, storm surge and flood are treated differently; which deductible applies; and whether settlement is based on replacement cost or depreciated value. The boat normally needs its own coverage.
“Marc always does a great job making sure my lift is at peak performance!”
Damon C. · Google review
Related Guides
Boat Lift Cables
10 signs a cable needs attention and what service should cover.
Learn More →
Boat Lift Buyer FAQs
Sizing, placement, permits and quotes.
Learn More →
Service & Repair
Six-month service, documented on every visit.
Learn More →
- 35+ years on South Florida water
- Licensed & insured
- Lifetime Workmanship Guarantee
Schedule Your Consultation
Takes about a minute. We reply with next steps.