Here’s a list of things to check:

• Inspect the jet ski lift before it goes into the water. Look for worn parts and loose bolts, etc.  Tighten or replace as needed.
• It’s extremely important to check the cables for corrosion or fraying, Replace as needed.
• For electric powered jet ski lifts, reattach the battery.
• If the electric motor uses a rubber friction wheel to drive the handwheel, rub the friction wheel with a clean, coarse rag to remove any residual dirt accumulated over the winter.
• Check the bearings for any noise and proper operation.
• Examine inside the rack frames for any sand or vegetation packed into the tubes. Remove these before you use the lift.
• Check any carpeted bunks for damage.
• Check all pulleys and other wearable parts for damage. On older models, with plastic pulleys, rotate the pulleys by hand to look for cracked or broken edges.  Replace if damaged.

What else can I do?

• Apply NO grease to the pulleys as this will allow sand and dirt to accumulate and wear the parts out faster.
• Ensure that the lift moves freely up & down without binding or straining.  Remember to maintain tension on the cables when lowering the lift rack.  This prevents backlash on the winch. 
• Make sure the cable winds smoothly and in even rows so that proper memory is maintained.
• Use leather gloves and face/eye protection if reattaching a bungee cord on a friction drive motor. If the cord slips out of your hands the results can be painful.
• All cables should have a quick spray of penetrating oil applied to them. The main winch cable including on the cable wrapped around the winch drum.
• DO NOT APPLY any oil inside the winch mechanism itself – only on the cable.
• Is it time to replace the carpet on the lift bunks?  Consider replacing them with maintenance-free vinyl bunks?