Boat lift motor and cable replacement
New motors, gearboxes and cables for your boat lift.
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We replace worn cables, motors, gearboxes, pulleys and switches with marine-rated parts, and set the cables to even tension.
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- Miami-Dade, Broward, Palm Beach and the Keys
The short answer
Boat lift cables should be replaced as soon as they show fraying, corrosion, kinks, flattened sections or strand separation, according to manufacturer ShoreMaster's 2025 guidance, which also recommends penetrating oil (not grease) on cables. Motors and gearboxes are replaced when they hum without lifting, overheat or grind.
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Signs it is time
- Broken strands or rust on the cable
- Cable flattened where it wraps the drum
- Uneven lift between the two sides
- Motor overheating or tripping the breaker
- Grinding or slipping gearbox
Cable care that makes cables last
Inspect cables at least once a season, use penetrating oil rather than grease, lubricate pulleys and gearboxes, and replace worn cables immediately. In salt water, keep the sacrificial anodes fresh.[1]
Frequently asked questions
How often should boat lift cables be replaced?
Replace them when inspection shows wear rather than on a fixed date: fraying, corrosion, kinks, flattened sections or uneven tension all mean replace now.
Should I grease boat lift cables?
ShoreMaster's guidance is to use penetrating oil on cables, not grease, and to lubricate pulleys and gearboxes.
Sources
- Top Boat Lift Maintenance Tips (31 Jul 2025), ShoreMaster (boat lift manufacturer). Accessed October 27, 2026.
- How Much Does a Boat Lift Cost? (updated 11 Aug 2026), ThePricer.org (secondary cost guide; cited in the FCC master plan). Accessed October 27, 2026.
- Class I Permit Application for Coastal Construction and Mangrove Trimming within Miami-Dade County (Revised May 2025), Miami-Dade County RER, Division of Environmental Resources Management (DERM), Coastal Resources Section. Accessed October 27, 2026.
- TYPE 8 Marine Structures (Dock, Seawall, Boatlift, Boathouse) Application Submittal Checklist, Palm Beach County Planning, Zoning and Building. Accessed October 27, 2026.
- Department of the Army State Programmatic General Permit VI (SPGP VI), SAJ-2015-2575, State of Florida, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Jacksonville District (document hosted by Florida DEP). Accessed October 27, 2026.
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