Boat lift repair
Lift stuck, slow or noisy? Get it fixed before it drops.
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We find why a lift has stopped working, from motors and switches to cables, pulleys, gearboxes and bunks, and fix it with marine-grade parts.
- Free, no-obligation quote
- Fast response from our team
- Miami-Dade, Broward, Palm Beach and the Keys
The short answer
Most boat lift repairs come down to cables, motors, gearboxes, switches or corrosion, and the manufacturer we checked says to replace worn or strand-separated cables immediately rather than keep using them (ShoreMaster, 2025). We diagnose the fault on site and quote the repair before any work starts.
Last updated
Common boat lift faults
Stop using the lift if you see frayed cables or the boat sits unevenly.
- Motor hums but the lift does not move
- Lift raises unevenly or one side drops
- Frayed, kinked or flattened cables
- Grinding from the gearbox or pulleys
- Corroded switches and wiring
What causes most failures
In salt water, galvanic corrosion attacks metal parts, which is why sacrificial zinc anodes need regular replacement. Cables should be checked for fraying, corrosion, kinks, flattened sections and uneven tension, and pulleys and gearboxes need lubrication.[1]
Repair or replace the lift?
If the frame and beams are sound, replacing the motor, cables or gearbox is usually far cheaper than a new lift, which ThePricer puts at $7,000 to $14,000 installed for a 10,000 lb four-post model in South Florida.[2]
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to repair a boat lift?
It depends on the part. A cable or switch is a small job; a motor or gearbox costs more. We quote the repair after a diagnosis, and tell you if the lift is worth fixing.
Why does my boat lift motor hum but not lift?
Common causes are a failed capacitor or switch, a jammed gearbox or a cable problem. Stop using it until it is checked, because forcing it can damage the drive.
Do boat lift repairs need a permit?
Like-for-like repairs to the lift machinery usually do not change the structure. Removing a dilapidated lift is DERM-exempt in Miami-Dade; new pilings or a new lift need a permit.
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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