Almost lost Dream’Inn

Dream_Inn

About two weeks ago I get a dreaded call from my marina.  I fear when a see a call from there cause it can’t be good.  We had a really bad storm and well, the next morning my boat was found at the top of the lift with it still running. 

I’m very fortunate the belts burned up and the boat stayed up.  One motor burned up, wiring burned up (shouldn’t have happened I know), 4 belts burned, control box gone.  

Luckily the marina chained the boat up and then replaced what was needed to get her down safely.  Even luckier the marina had parts on hand! It took a couple days, but she came back down!  I still have cables and pulleys to replace, but all is good.  I’ve now learned to always turn breaker off when I’m not there.  Cause was either lightning interference with remote or moisture that got in control box.

Long way up to bottom of swim platform. Pictures really don’t show how high she really was

You can see they quarantined the dock… 

        

LaRea

Oh man, there are a lot of ways that could have ended worse than it did!  So the lift was still running when they got there in the morning?  Scary.  

raybo3

Hey DI thank God everything turned out OK (sort of) as it could have been a lot worse and no one got hurt. 

YYZRC

Maybe not the right time but the boat looks great! Love the sun screens over the isinglass. 

LaRea

In the last photo -- did the forward cross-beam get twisted a little?  

Cableguy Greg

She sure is up high. Glad she is okay. 

captkevin

Very scary event. What caused it to raise?

Dream_Inn

Thanks everyone. Definitely feel extremely fortunate.  A few years ago I’ve seen what can happen when the lift goes up and the cable snaps.  

So, yes 3 of the 4 motors were still running in the morning with belts burned up.  And yes, front beam has a slight twist, but the pic makes it look worse cause the whole thing is turned there.
As for what caused it? It was either lightning interfering with remote or a wet control box, which it was inside.
@YYZRC thanks!  I do like the black protection over the boat. Keeps the UV out as well.

Liberty44140

Wow that is high! Glad everything ended up ok, sounds like you got pretty lucky. Agree I like those window covers, been wrestling with doing something like that.

LaRea

Doesn't the system have limit switches?  

randy56

Lucky your marina was watching out for you. I'd most would not have noticed. Your ready for a tsunami. 

Dream_Inn

LaRea said:

Doesn't the system have limit switches?  

No limit switches.  Some lifts have them installed and then people actually rely on them and walk away while there lift is going up.  My previous control box, you had to actually hold the button the entire time.  Some would think that is a pain, but I liked it.  My new one has a switch for manual or auto, so you don't have to hold the button (I'll still hold the button cause it makes me pay attention).  I also have a new remote that is better. 
& yes, I'm very lucky the marina noticed.  Although I believe they had help from my buddy a couple boats down that has been staying on his boat mostly this summer (closer to work for him).  Cause he called me 2 minutes before the marina did.  Either way, we all try to look out for each other and I have cell numbers for half the boats on my dock.

YYZRC

I had a winch installed in my transom locker for pulling up the dinghy when it was just me and my son out on the water.  It was remote controlled (wireless).  I was sitting at the dock one day and it started winding - I assume due to wireless interference.  Maybe that's what caused your situation @Dream_Inn ?

LaRea

I see your point about not having limit switches at the normal storage height.  But I'm surprised they don't have them at the "highest safe lift" position.  

Ian

Seems odd, I would think any lift apparatus would need to have an upper limit switch.

Sounds like a surge triggered the electronics. New unit needs to have an isolator on the feed circuit.