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There’s something special about Naples at sunset — the calm water, the reflection of the sky, the soft hum of a boat lift in the distance. But when the electrical system that runs that lift starts acting up, that peace can turn to frustration fast.
This case came from a long-time homeowner on a canal off Gordon Drive. He called us one evening after his boat lift stopped working right after a storm. The lights on his dock were flickering, and the breaker kept tripping every time he tried to raise the lift. He told us, “It’s probably just the motor,” but we’ve been around long enough to know it’s rarely that simple.
At Coharbor Electric, we’ve seen what Naples weather and salt air can do to dock wiring. A few years of corrosion, a little water intrusion, and even good equipment can start to fail. What started as a “simple fix” turned into a full rewire and lighting upgrade — and a perfect example of why marine-grade work is a must on the coast.
When we arrived, we could tell the dock had been through some weather. It wasn’t neglected — just showing the usual signs of time near the water. The homeowner had a twin-motor boat lift, fed from a small subpanel mounted on a piling about 10 feet from the seawall.
He mentioned it tripped the breaker every time he hit “up.” That told us we were likely dealing with a short, ground fault, or maybe a failed motor winding. But when we opened the panel, we found the real culprit.
The wiring feeding the lift was standard THWN stranded copper — not marine-grade tinned wire. The insulation looked intact, but the copper underneath was black and brittle. Moisture had crept in through the conduit over the years and slowly corroded the conductors from the inside out.
Every terminal connection was green with oxidation. The neutral bar had pitted to the point that a few screws barely held. One of the lift’s breaker terminals even had heat marks from arcing.
That’s what salt and humidity do to regular wiring. It doesn’t fail overnight; it just slowly eats away until one day — it stops working.
Before we started pulling wire, we checked the motors. Both were in decent shape mechanically, but one had water inside the junction box — another common issue. The seal had failed, and moisture got to the windings. The motor itself tested fine after we cleaned and dried it, but it was only a matter of time before it went again if we didn’t protect it better.
We decided on a full rewire from the dock subpanel to both lift motors, using marine-grade materials throughout. While we were there, the homeowner asked if we could also upgrade his dock lighting. He had a few old halogen fixtures that hadn’t worked in years, and he wanted something energy-efficient and durable.
Here’s what we proposed — and what he approved right away:
Remove all existing lift wiring down to the subpanel.
Install new marine-grade tinned copper conductors in liquid-tight flexible conduit.
Replace all connections with sealed, heat-shrink terminals.
Add a new GFCI-protected breaker for safety and code compliance.
Install weatherproof junction boxes for both motors with gaskets and stainless hardware.
Upgrade dock lighting to low-voltage LED fixtures rated for marine environments.
Inspect grounding and bonding for the entire dock structure.
We told the homeowner it’d take about a day and a half to complete — assuming no surprises once we started pulling wire. He gave us the go-ahead, saying, “If you can make it safe and get my lift running again, I’m happy.”
We started early the next morning before the sun got too hot. Pulling the old conductors out of the conduit took longer than expected — they were stiff, corroded, and breaking apart in places. When we finally got them out, the insulation flaked off in our hands. It was a good reminder why we don’t cut corners near saltwater.
We ran new 12 AWG marine-grade tinned copper wires for each motor, color-coded for easy identification and labeled at both ends. The new flexible conduit was sunlight-resistant, rated for wet locations, and installed with watertight connectors at every junction.
At the motor junction boxes, we used adhesive-lined heat-shrink terminals to seal every connection. Once shrunk, those connectors are watertight — no gaps, no corrosion points. Each box got a new gasketed cover, stainless screws, and a small weep hole at the bottom to allow condensation to escape.
We also replaced the old subpanel breakers with new GFCI breakers, rated for outdoor use. That alone added a major layer of safety. If a fault ever developed again — say, a motor shorted — the breaker would trip instantly before anyone could get shocked near the water.
While one tech finished wiring the motors, the other started on the lighting upgrade. The homeowner wanted something that looked good but didn’t draw much power, so we installed low-voltage LED post lights along the dock and subtle under-cap lighting for nighttime ambiance.
We ran all the lighting circuits through a low-voltage transformer mounted inside a NEMA 4X weatherproof enclosure with a photocell. That means the lights come on automatically at dusk and turn off at dawn — no timers to mess with.
Each light was wired with tinned copper two-conductor cable, sleeved in flexible conduit, and sealed with marine-rated connectors. No open splices, no tape — everything fully sealed.
When we lit them up that evening, the homeowner stood back and said, “I can’t believe that’s the same dock.” It gave off a soft, even glow — bright enough for safety, but still relaxing.
Before we wrapped up, we tested the entire system for proper grounding and bonding. Every metal part of the lift — arms, cables, frame — needed to be bonded together and back to the electrical system’s ground.
We confirmed low resistance on every path, meaning everything was tied together properly. That’s critical near water; if a fault ever occurs, the current takes the safe path back to ground instead of through the structure — or worse, through a person.
Once all the wiring and lighting were in place, we powered everything up. The lift ran smooth, quiet, and steady. The GFCI breakers held perfectly, and the voltage drop on both motors was minimal.
We sprayed all exposed terminals with corrosion inhibitor and sealed the subpanel with a fresh gasket. Before we left, we labeled every circuit — “Lift Motor 1,” “Lift Motor 2,” “Dock Lights,” and “Spare” — so any future electrician could tell exactly what’s what.
That evening, the homeowner sent us a picture of the dock at sunset, lights glowing softly, boat sitting perfectly on the lift. His message said, “I didn’t realize how bad the wiring was until you showed me. Feels like I can finally relax again.”
That’s the best part of our job — not just fixing problems, but giving people peace of mind knowing their systems are safe and built to last.
Every waterfront project teaches you something, but here are the takeaways from this one:
Standard wire doesn’t belong near saltwater. It fails slowly and silently.
Sealed connections are everything. One open splice can ruin an entire system.
GFCI protection saves lives. You can’t see stray current — you only know when it’s too late.
Labeling and grounding matter. They’re not “extras”; they’re part of a good job.
Marine-grade materials aren’t just upsells — they’re the difference between a 3-year job and a 15-year job.
If you’ve got a dock or lift and you’re not sure when the wiring was last checked, it’s worth getting inspected. Florida’s coastal environment eats away at metal and insulation faster than most homeowners realize. Even if everything seemsfine, corrosion could already be creeping through the system.
A quick inspection can spot problems early — before you’re standing on the dock one day wondering why the lift won’t move or the lights are flickering.
This Naples dock turned out beautiful. The lift ran smoother than it had in years, the lighting added function and character, and — most importantly — the system was safe. That’s the kind of work we take pride in.
At Coharbor Electric, we don’t believe in quick fixes when it comes to coastal wiring. We build systems that hold up to salt air, humidity, and time. Whether it’s a simple repair, a lighting upgrade, or a full dock and lift rewire, we make sure it’s done right — marine-grade from end to end.
⚡ Call Coharbor Electric today to schedule your dock or boat lift inspection. We’ll check your wiring, test your safety protection, and make sure your system’s built for Naples’ coastal environment — safe, reliable, and ready for the next storm season.
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At Coharbor Electric, this is what to expect when entrusting us with fixing your electrical issues.
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