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Protect Your Investment and Secure Your Lift: Tips for Boat Lift Canopy Care

1 May 2015

Jacey Martin

An old and inaccurate joke claims that the two best days in a boat owner's life are the day the boat is purchased and the day the boat is sold. The point that this is trying to illustrate is that boat care can be an expensive proposition, but that expense can be significantly restricted if you're committed to taking the proper, preemptive steps.

Below, you'll find a guide to some actions you can take to protect and care for your boat lift canopy. Following these suggestions will protect your canopy, your lift, and ultimately your boat, and will put you in a position to both protect your investment and guarantee your canopy reaches its maximum potential lifespan.

Thorough Cleaning

The most important thing you can do to care for your boat canopy is to make sure it stays clean. Waste from birds and trees, pollution splashing up from the water, and even simple dirt being blown on to the top of your canopy can all cause significant dirt damage.

You should regularly remove your canopy from the lift, lay it out on a flat surface, and scrub it clean with warm water and a gentle brush. If your canopy is vinyl, you should purchase vinyl cleaner and use it to make sure that no stubborn stains stay built up and remain threatening.

Dry Storage

When the boating season is done and you pull your boat out of the water, you shouldn't leave your lift canopy exposed to the elements. Extreme cold, wind, and moisture can all cause structural damage that can be difficult to recover from and may result in you having to dispose of your canopy rather than reuse it.

Make sure to thoroughly clean your canopy before storage and then verify that it's completely dry before folding it and storing it in a secure location. This should deter mold and mildew buildup and will allow your canopy to be fresh and crisp when you redeploy it the following season.

Consistent Inspections

Small rips and tears in a boat lift canopy can be repaired, but they need to be detected before they become serious. If you don't notice a damaged canopy until it's too late, you'll likely find yourself frustrated by attempts to patch it and may end up buying a new canopy regardless. Making a point to inspect your canopy any time you're doing regular boat maintenance should provide you with sufficient early warning and guarantee that you avoid any serious issues. For more information, talk to a professional like Waterway Boat Lift Covers.

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