🧊 Cold Weather is Coming to Missouri — Is Your Boat Lift Ready?

By -

Protect Your Investment with Firstmate Lift Controls: Winterization Tips for Standard & Pro Systems

Winter weather in Missouri can swing from mild to freezing overnight — and that’s tough on your dock equipment. Whether you’re boating on Lake of the Ozarks, Table Rock, or Truman Lake, now is the time to prepare your boat lift and control system for colder months.

Your Firstmate Lift Control — Standard or Pro — is designed for reliability and safety, but proper winterization helps extend its life, reduce wear, and keep your system ready for spring.

🧰 Quick Missouri Boat Lift Winterization Checklist

✅ Inspect cables, pulleys, and frame
✅ Clean and lubricate moving parts
✅ Set the lift to its proper winter position
✅ Secure and cover your control system
✅ Remove handheld remotes and accessories
✅ Plan for a spring system check

⚙️ Step-by-Step: Winterizing Firstmate Lift Controls

1. Inspect and Clean

Start with a complete inspection:

  • Cables: Look for frays, rust, or kinks

  • Pulleys and bunks: Ensure alignment and smooth operation

  • Hardware: Tighten any loose bolts and replace corroded parts

  • Rinse off dirt, algae, and debris so it doesn’t freeze in place

💡 Missouri Tip: At Lake of the Ozarks, ice can form in quiet coves. Keep your platform raised high enough to avoid contact.

2. Power Management: Pro vs. Standard

🔹 Firstmate Standard Controls

These models don’t require active monitoring over winter.
✅ Turn off power at the breaker or disconnect box once winter prep is complete.
✅ Cover the control box with a breathable, weather-resistant cover.
✅ Bring remotes or key fobs indoors for storage.

🔹 Firstmate Pro Remote Controls

Your Pro system includes sensors that monitor lift level and power supply.
To keep monitoring active and ensure a smooth spring restart:
⚠️ DO NOT disconnect power over winter.
✅ Keep the system powered on so it can continue to track lift position and detect voltage drops.
✅ Use a breathable, weatherproof cover — not plastic wrap — to prevent moisture buildup.
✅ Remove and store handheld remotes indoors.
✅ Confirm your myDockLink™ app is synced before winter; you’ll be able to view system status anytime.

3. Adjust Lift Position

Set the lift to its recommended winter height:

  • High enough to clear ice in freeze zones

  • Low enough to relieve tension and avoid cable stress

  • Use mechanical locks or stops if available

If you’re on Table Rock Lake, monitor winter drawdowns and adjust as needed.

4. Lubricate and Secure

  • Apply a light marine-grade lubricant to pulleys and moving joints

  • Grease fittings per manufacturer instructions

  • Check that guides and steps are tight and won’t shift in wind

5. Clean, Cover, and Document

  • Wipe down the control box

  • Apply a corrosion inhibitor to exposed hardware

  • Take photos and notes for spring reference

  • Label any parts that need attention or replacement

🧊 Why Winterization Matters

Missouri’s mix of freezing temps, ice, and fluctuating water levels can lead to:

  • Stretched or broken cables

  • Corroded terminals

  • Damaged control enclosures

  • Costly spring repairs

With proper winter prep, your Firstmate Standard or Firstmate Pro will stay protected and ready to go when boating season returns.

🌅 Start Next Season Strong

A little preparation now saves time and money later.
When spring hits, your Firstmate system will power up cleanly and operate safely.

📥 Download: [Missouri Winterization Checklist PDF]
📞 Need Help? Contact your local Firstmate dealer at Lake of the Ozarks for service or inspection.
📸 Share your winter-ready setup: Tag @FirstmateControls on Facebook or Instagram!



Location: Washington, MO 63090, USA

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

LET'S GET READY FOR BOATING IN 2023!

By MSW -
Image
  The weather outside might be frightful, but this is the perfect time to get prepared for next year's boating season! Have you found yourself daydreaming or spending time staring out at the water reminiscing about the great times you had on the water this past season?  Firstmate Controls understands your frustration. We want to share some great ideas to occupy your time during these cold winter months that will get you excited and ready for next year's boating season! Inspect Your Life Preservers Lifejackets that don't get used much and spend most of their time tucked away in the wells of your boat may not be in as good of shape as they should be. Even though they might not get used that often, they still need to be in top shape if there were an incident that arises that you will need to use a lifejacket. If yours aren't in good condition they're not going to be much help in saving a life. Take time to visually inspect every lifejacket for rips, tears, holes, etc....
Read more

BOATING IS GOOD FOR YOUR MIND AND SOUL!

By MSW -
Image
Meetings, deadlines, and long work hours can have a significant impact on our daily lives, leaving us wondering when we'll ever get a chance to truly enjoy life. Many people are now spending more time at work and struggle with ways to balance their work and personal lives. Now that many of us are working from home, it is even harder to look out the window and see your boat seemingly calling out to you to go for a ride! For those of us who love to boat, there is comfort and solace on the water! Check out why Firstmate Controls feels that boating is the perfect way to relax, and rejuvenate and can be good for the soul. BOATING IS AN EDUCATIONAL EXPERIENCE When you take your boat out for a day of adventure, you have the opportunity to broaden your range of experiences by trying different types of water sports like fishing or water skiing. Learning new boating skills can be an empowering and educational experience. When you are boating, you will always have the opportunity to learn so...
Read more