Dock/Lift Maintenance

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Boats are a valuable investment so owners make sure to keep them clean and well-maintained. However, many boat aficionados forget about the boat dock. Cleaning boat docks are just as important. Here’s why.

1. Creates Numerous Safety Hazards

As people come and go, your boat dock will accumulate dirt, dust, mud, debris, rust stains, and unwanted substances. Proximity to the water also leads to the growth of mold, mildew, algae, and other aquatic wildlife. These contaminants can create safety hazards, such as tripping and falling, which can then hinder you from enjoying your boat. Accumulated dirt and grime likewise opens you up to liabilities in case other people get into an accident on your boat dock.

2. Maintains Boat Dock Appearance

Boat dock cleaning is also crucial in maintaining the appearance of your waterfront property. A worn-out dock is also an eyesore and takes the attention away from your beautiful boat.  If you want to maintain the value of your boat and your property, make sure that the boat dock is regularly cleaned and maintained as well.

3. Saves Time and Money

Dirt, grime, and biological growth can impact the structural integrity of your boat dock. That means you’ll end up spending more time and money on significant repairs and replacements. Regular boat dock cleaning is much cheaper and effective in protecting your investments.

You may not be able to mitigate every risk your lift might face, but routine maintenance can certainly help you avoid potential issues. Some common reasons boat lifts need maintenance include:

Rust: Because they sit in the water, one of the biggest threats to a boat lift is rust. Metal is prone to rust in any wet and humid conditions. As a result, all metal parts of your boat lift are susceptible to rust, which will significantly shorten your lift’s life span if not managed.

Worn cables: If you own a cable driven lift, the cables are prone to wear and require inspection and maintenance. Cables can fray, rust, kink or break, especially when they’re left in the water, the lift is overloaded or there’s a lack of tension.

Water damage: In addition to causing rust, water can damage the beams, cradles and gearboxes of your lift. If water can get into the motor, gearboxes or under other covers, it can ruin the lift’s mechanical components.

Sheave alignment: As your cables are pulled up and wound around the drum and spool, they can become unaligned. This causes them to wear unevenly or could create slack, leading to additional maintenance needs.

Keeping up with routine inspection and maintenance of your boat lift and knowing what to look for will help keep your boat lift running smoothly for years to come.