Air lifts are popular on Lake of the Ozarks, and the most common complaint is simple: the boat won’t stay up. Here are the usual causes.
1. A leak in a tank
Tanks can crack from age, impacts or ice. A leaking tank usually shows up as one side of the boat settling lower than the other. You may see bubbles near the tank.
2. Worn valves
Valves let air in and out. A worn or dirty valve can leak slowly or fail to seal, so the lift creeps down over hours.
3. Hoses and fittings
Air lines and fittings crack, loosen or get chafed over time. A split hose can stop the lift from coming up at all.
4. A weak blower
If the lift rises very slowly or not at all, the blower may not be producing enough air. Running it longer to compensate makes it wear out faster.
What you can safely check
- Look and listen for air escaping or bubbles around the tanks while the blower runs
- Check whether the problem is on one side or both
- Make sure the blower intake isn’t blocked
Leave the repair itself to a lift tech, since tanks and lines are under the boat and in the water. See air lift repair or request an estimate.
Common questions
Is it safe to keep using an air lift that's losing air?
It's best not to rely on it. A lift that's losing air can drop the boat unexpectedly, and a blower that runs constantly to keep up can burn out. Have it checked.