Established in 1959 the Shore Station® brand quickly became the leader in the boat lift industry. The primary advantage that made the Shore Station so competitive was its “over-built” design, combining heavy duty materials with an emphasis on lift capability through stronger winches and intelligent design features employing stronger cables. Designed around the idea that your boat lift should work well when you need it to and not after frequent repairs, the Shore Station lift has remained a favorite among boat owners; maintaining its strength and functionality through many years of use.

Shore Station lifts are not immortal, they will eventually wear out or incur damage, but they are specifically designed to adapt with time. Through proper upkeep and attention to the components of the lift your Shore Station will last far longer than most other lifts.

The Shore Station lift has many features that make it an excellent addition to your boating lifestyle such as:

  • Many upgrades and enhancements such as bunks, motors, stainless or galvanized cables, canopies; as well as pontoon racking, load kits,  solar kits, and extensive repair parts.
  • A square lift cradle. A solid and square lift cradle allows for even distribution of load, preventing unsafe conditions and an increase in  the functionality and longevity of the unit.
  • Heavy duty construction for strength and durability
  • Completely assembled winch tubes for easier changing of damaged or worn cables.

 

Upkeep & Upgrades:

There are several ways in which you can ensure the longevity of your Shore Station lift and we will discuss several of them in this article. These techniques range from the simple lubrication of moving components to the more involved processes such as the replacement of cables, sheaves, pulleys, etc.; yet they all represent a preventative method of protecting the integrity of the lift unit, ensuring its continued safe and effective functionality. In addition to the upkeep of the lift you initially purchased, there are also upgrades that can be incorporated into the lift system to enhance its capabilities, giving you a lift system that is adaptive and unique in the industry.

It can be taken as common knowledge that almost any machine will function better and longer with attention. Simple lubrication and attention to the condition of the components will result in an increase in the lifespan of any piece of equipment. The Shore Station lift is no exception to this wisdom. There are many parts that make up this lift yet they are all designed to perform a specific task; functioning best under diverse conditions and providing excellent lift capacity through heavy duty design.

The pulleys, cables and winch should be routinely inspected for wear and replaced when needed. Lubrication is also a necessary step in preventing undue wear and tear on the moving parts of the lift and you should consult your owner’s manual for the proper method of lubrication. If you do not have an owner’s manual or have lost your, you can locate and download it at www.shorestation.com.

Lift Conversion

If you’ve had a Shore Station for a while and want to use it on a different style of watercraft, say a pontoon boat, you can always install a pontoon racking system that will convert your standard boat lift cradle into a pontoon or tritoon lift.

 

Component Wear and Replacement:

There are many features of the boat lift that work within the structure, operating “beneath” the surface and therefore often out of mind. As an example, lets take the cables. Boat lift cables are constructed out of either stainless or galvanized steel and knowing what you have or what you should have is the first step in preventing any unfortunate failures. Depending on the environmental conditions that you have, both under the surface and in the open air, the type of cable that you need in your lift system will vary. Both galvanized and stainless steel are designed to resist corrosion, however the process by which this is achieved is different and thus the cable will respond in specific ways in your lake environment.

Replacement of the boat lift cables, pulleys, and sheaves can be a difficult and complicated process, especially if a cable breaks while the lift is in operation and you are now stuck with your boat on a broken lift. You can take steps that will help you avoid this unfortunate problem. Through routine inspection and a general habit of vigilance as well as performing regular maintenance in the off season to keep it working well during the regular season.

The reason for a break in a lift cable is most often due to normal wear through the operation of the lift, as intended by the manufacturer. However, there are instances in which environmental conditions have weakened a part of the system, to such an extent that the system will fail prematurely, that is, before the expected or designed life span is reached.

To prevent this there are some basic steps you can take. As with any tool that you own and use regularly it is a good idea to know as much about its construction and proper operation as possible, and a boat lift is no exception. In fact,  the more complex the tool the more you should familiarize yourself with its operation.

The Shore Station boat lift comes with an extensive history of excellence and innovation, offering quality and longevity to current and potential owners alike.  With an excellent design and extensive upgrade potential, this brand of lift is an excellent addition to your boating lifestyle.

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