How to Correctly Position a Boat on a Lift
Published: Wednesday, February 9, 2022 12:00 pm
By: Waterfront Brands Team
Your boat lift is strong enough to protect your boat from the elements, but it’s not infallible. Proper use of the boat lift will ensure that it can protect your watercraft fully and keep performing for years to come. This means learning how to properly park on the lift when you’re done on the water.
Luckily, it’s pretty similar to parking on a trailer or mooring your boat next to a dock, although individual docking procedures will vary based on the kind of lift you have, and a little practice wouldn’t hurt. Your boat will rest on bunk boards attached to a cradle. This cradle will need to be lowered below the water line so that your boat is floating freely above it.
The next step is to position the boat over the bunk boards. Many boat lift systems will come with PVC guides to help guide the hull into place without damaging it, and if they’re not a part of your system, compatible ones are sure to be sold separately. Watch your speed when you’re approaching your dock—if you go fast and build too much momentum, you might not be able to control your entry, especially if the wind and waves are rough.
Also, make sure that your boat is spaced evenly between the bunk boards. This ensures proper weight distribution from front to back, which keeps your lift system from wearing out. This requires knowing the center of gravity for your boat—you should use the manufacturer instructions and spec sheet to determine this.
Once you’ve done those two things, you can lift the cradle again and your boat with it.
There’s more to caring for your boat hoist than just that, though. Your boat lift will need maintenance to stay at its best for its entire life. Rinse and oil cables after use, check for any damage while you’re caring for them, and replace them as needed (just to be safe). Stick to the listed weight capacity of your boat lift, and remember that you’re not just lifting the dry weight of your boat, but everything it’s carrying on board as well. Take the plug out of your drain while the boat is lifted to avoid collecting rainwater (but put it back in when you’re going out again). Don’t carry people up or down on the lift or jump in and out of a lifted boat because the shocks can strain the lift.
Your boat lift will perform great for years to come with all of these tips!
For more information about boat lifts and boat lift control components for many types of watercraft, check out HydroHoist online.
tags: How To, Lifts & Hoists, Spring Commissioning
