how to lift a pontoon boat

All boat care products are trademark of Aurora Marine Industries Inc. My concern is with supporting the pontoons. You will need a minimum 3 pieces, but more may be required. Our pontoon lifts are offered in our manual, hydraulic, and vertical hydraulic models, only with different cradles to When you invest in a boat lift, they will thank you for it! A boat lift for a pontoon boat, depending on the style of the vessel, will Cradle boat lifts for pontoon boats typically manufacture as one of the three styles: center, bunk, and sling. Following is a safe and easy way to lift your boat off the bunks by about 6 to 8 inches so you can protect your trailer with plastic and get to the bottom of the pontoons. -Raise the tongue as high as you can using your tongue jack. Center lifts effectively provide support for your pontoon. All the bunks are 2 X 6. Lower the bottle jack. The sling makes a big difference when the water is low. This procedure is NOT recommended for sailboats with a fixed keel. Continue raising the front of the trailer until the boat is level or slightly bow high. We offer a wide range of solutions, including custom lifts, to ensure we can accommodate any type of pontoon boat. How to Tie up a Boat. Do not proceed to work on the boat until it is well supported and stable. Cover Your Boat When Not In Use. The Boat Lift Helper is made of the same tough material that the military uses to raise sunken equipment from the ocean floor. Vertical lifts, on the other hand, tend to run a bit more. This is a proven method for lifting your boat off the trailer bunks for temporarily working on your pontoons. Jun 13, 2018 - Everything that you would ever want to know about pontoon boat lifts, including reviews of pontoon lifts, how much they cost with some prices, and even tips on how you can convert a normal boat lift to a pontoon one. The boat has a great point for the jack to access on the lower gunnel. Lifting a pontoon boat is not all that different from lifting any other vessel, such as one with a V-hull; however, there are important distinctions. Best of all, pontoon floating docks store your craft completely out of the water whether you have a twin-hull or tri-hulled pontoon boat. The pontoon handles waves very well, and even though the lift was cranked all the way down, I thought it was going to end up on the bottom 5 or 6 times. For watercraft owners who are considering purchasing a boat lift but are anxious about parking on one, they may be happy to discover that it is similar to parking on a trailer or even in the water next to a dock. Where Can I Find out More About How to Use Products? How to Drive a Pontoon Boat - YouTube. Available in multiple power and remote options, a boat lift motor is the quickest way to maximize your summer. Jun 13, 2018 - Here are some notes I found when researching how to convert a boat lift to a pontoon lift. Click the button to view our gallery. EQUIPMENT REQUIRED: Wooden shims as required. You don’t want to overshoot the lift. This procedure may have to be repeated several times to gain the necessary height. When partnered with the Pontoon Lift’s Whisper Winch a boat lift motor offers the easiest, most unobtrusive lift operation on the market. 4. When the jack extends as high as possible, you may have to place blocks and wooden plates under the front cross member to support the boat. Well, the trip from the lift mfg was anything but a piece of cake. I am getting quotes to have my current boat lift modified (have a two tube 20' pontoon in the boathouse now.) If playback doesn't begin shortly, try restarting your device. 1. Bumping into the dock is going to happen when getting the hang of docking your … The pontoon boat I am replacing sits on a lift made with 6" aluminum I-beams with bunks that support the boat under the deck. There's no substitution for a steel frame and wooden supports under the boat. Once inside, you grab the hand-held controller, push a button, and your boat instantly lowers into the water. How to Park a Boat on a Lift. Utilize Reverse to Avoid Collision. Experienced boaters know the importance of tying up a boat at the dock, also called docking, when it is not in use. Pontoon Calculator. -add another stack of 4x4s at the center of the 12 ft. 4x4 for added stability and safety. If the boat were ever to slip off the blocks, it only has a few inches to fall back onto the trailer so there is no damage. Use Side Fenders. Designed to carry approximately 40% of the total weight of the pontoon boat, Hydrofin wings lift the front of the boat an incredible 4”-8”. Without a boat lift, you would need to either leave your boat in the water or load it out on a trailer every time you want to use it. Available in multiple power and remote options, a boat lift motor is the quickest way to maximize your summer. How To Video. I am planning to modify my boat lift for a pontoon. Known for their many advantages in maintaining an easy, family-friendly design, pontoons are designed with durability in mind.An efficient way to prolong longevity is by securing the right boat lift for your pontoon. Copyright © 2018 Aurora Marine Industries Inc. How to Prevent Zebra Mussels from Attaching to an Aluminum Boat. 3. Place a hydraulic bottle jack under the tongue of the trailer and raise the front of the trailer. BoatUS Magazine's Lenny Rudow shows you how to easily and safely drive your boat onto a boat lift, even in wind and current. Shopping. But eventually the pontoon began to bend and eventually a crack formed near the back. Its important to clean and protect the entire bottom. Lowering the boat into the water is fairly simple. We offer the fastest, quietest and most dependable boat lifts on the market today. Pontoon boats are just as susceptible to sun damage as any other boat. waterproof boat canvas. Extend the trailer jack to support the tongue and remove the bottle jack. Just like wings lift an airplane, Hydrofin wings lift the boat to reduce drag and improve performance. Eventually, I had a 3' small dent in one 24' U shaped foam filled pontoon toward the rear. Re: Pontoon Boat Lifting w Sling Yup, except at the bulk heads the tubes are hollow and would crush right away if you tried to lift the boat anywhere else, if you could get the spacing so you are lifting at the center and rear bulk heads you should be okay but you need to be right on them, alittle too far forwad or back and you have a dent. I saw a guy lift his 22 ft pontoon boat with davits. Spread the load across the surface as much as you can rather than anything that will lift the pontoon over a small area (like the top of a typical jack). Depending on how your existing lift is configured you might need to add hull pads that work with both pontoons and tritoons. With multi-purpose functionality, pontoon boats ferry and entertain both freshwater fishermen and lake enthusiasts. To reseat the boat on the trailer, reverse the above procedure. If you need to lift and support a tri-toon, you can add a third pair of bunks. Lifting strakes are blocks of metal that are welded directly onto the pontoon tubes themselves to generate lift, allowing your boat to lift and glide above the water instead of tearing through it. PROCEDURE FOR TEMPORARILY RAISING PONTOON BOAT OFF TRAILER. 2” x 8” planks cut to 16” length pieces. Pontoon bunks on your boat lift require a custom setup to properly support the pontoons on your vessel. The purpose of a pontoon boat lift is to make boating easier by enabling you to launch your vessel from dock to water and then elevate it safely to the upright position when you return to your dock. Tap to unmute. Extended bunks begin guiding your pontoon 16″ before entering the lift. Lower the tongue of the trailer to the ground to elevate the transom. A boat lift eliminates the hassle of asking family and friends to help you with boat launching from a trailer. My lift person offered to get in touch with my dealer to get the specs and I was just going to let that happen without being involved. Using the right products to clean, brighten, protect and anti-foul your pontoons makes for quick, easy work and guaranteed results. Another option would be to row out with a decent size anchor, and use a winch to pull the boat back. 2. 9. Cantilever lifts can potentially run anywhere from $700 to $3,500, depending on the weight and size of the boat. Maximize your time on the water with the ease and convenience of a boat lift motor. 1. Skip to content. Adjustable vertically and horizontally. How to Protect a New Painted Aluminum Boat? A pontoon lift should come with a motor stop specifically for pontoon boats. Take into account the boat’s draft when determining how high a lift you need. The boat lift motor has a power switch on … It will act as a safety device to catch the boat in the event that it slips off the blocks or if one of the blocks breaks or the ground becomes infirm and the blocks sink. Raising your boat off the bunks or rollers allows you to gain access to the complete bottom so that you can remove growth with Algex, clean and brighten the bottom with Boat Scrub or Alumabrite CBX and to protect it against marine growth and Zebra mussels with VS721. If you’re fairly handy, it’s possible to do a pontoon boat lift conversion at home by building the required parts. 2. 9. If your existing boat lift is already set up with bunks, you can add another set so that each of your boat’s pontoons is supported by a pair of bunks. Share. Fortunately, you’ve found DECO Boat Lifts – a leader in developing innovative lift systems since 1959. No need to muscle your boat lift … Hello, new member here. Lower the tongue of the trailer to the ground to elevate the transom.. You may need … There are several factors to keep in mind when purchasing a lift system for a pontoon boat. Aurora Products Safe to Use on Painted Surfaces? 5. 7. Because the vessel will need multiple supports, it is imperative that precise measurements are taken of the width and length of the pontoons, so the bunk boards can be correctly placed and properly support your boat. Maximize your time on the water with the ease and convenience of a boat lift motor. You can’t get to the bottom of the pontoons so they stay dirty and covered in marine growth plus the cleaners are likely to damage the carpeting and wood on the bunks and can damage the paint on the trailer. Our pontoon is a 2275 RLCI on a Floe V-3600 lift. Toon bunks are set in a V to the outside to accomodate the Toon. Open and Honest Pontoon Boat Discussion. We live on a shallow lake that has lost a lot of water with the dry summer. The once a year boat polish, aurora premium boat shine with vs721... How to remove old wax and dried on haze from premium boat shine... How to prevent zebra mussels from attaching to an aluminum boat... Do NOT follow this link or you will be banned from the site. Avoid Fighting the Wind or Currents. Shoreline hydraulic lifts Imagine this: You stroll down your dock and climb into your boat. Where Can I Buy Aurora Boat Care Products? 8. A Shore-Mate pontoon lift is a great way to keep your boat out of the water, clean, and in great condition. They work by inflating a set of pontoon stands that press against your boat and lift it out of the water depending on the amount of air blown into the design. Hydraulic Bottle Jack of a capacity that meets or exceeds the weight of your boat. If you want to go on enjoying the water in your pontoon, here are some key pontoon boat maintenance tips to help keep your boat in top shape. -Place a 12ft length of 4x4 across under the bow and block up each end in a similar manner as the rear. It works by using a simple air or hydraulic system which is connected to a support structure that literally lifts the boat out of the water. So, I loaded the thing on the front of my pontoon boat and decided I would go slow for the 3-4 miles back to our lake house. you do not feel confident in your abilities or equipment to handle heavy Do not remove the trailer. Still, it’s important to work safely. A pontoon boat can be a fun, relaxing way to enjoy the water. Ft. Myers. You can often drive your pontoon right onto the dock and adequately secure it in place. Lowering the boat into the water is fairly simple. Ace Lift to lift my pontoon boat. Watch later. Not all boat lifts are configured the same way, so the exact parking procedures will vary. When partnered with the Pontoon Lift’s Whisper Winch a boat lift motor offers the easiest, most unobtrusive lift operation on the market. You may have to modify this procedure slightly or adjust your boat on the trailer depending on the style of your boat, for example pontoon, catamaran or monohull. Thanks for watching my video and your kind comment! He now has a system where he drives the boat onto 2 planks this supports the hull . The Heavy-duty air-lift-bags will raise your boat lift up off the lake bottom for simple positioning right from your dock. conversion kit | Boat lift, Pontoon boat, Pontoon. Leaving parts of your boat bottom unprotected can compromise the integrity of your boat. A boat lift eliminates the hassle of asking family and friends to help you with boat launching from a trailer. Can I Use a Sander instead of Linear Buffer. Aluminum frame with maintenance-free vinyl guide. Pontoon Boat & Deck Boat Forum. This will give you clearance to clean and polish the areas normally supported by the bunks. When approaching the dock, if you’re boat is moving too fast or it … Enables you to use your boat lift in shallower water because the bunks lift your boat by the frame instead of the pontoons. The dent has not affected my boat's performance, however. Lift one side, insert rollers and do the same on the other. 6. Hey All, I am taking delivery of my boat tonight, in rainy conditions. Working around the bunks and rollers will make any marine growth worse and will affect the performance of your boat. A boat lift for a pontoon boat, depending on the style of the vessel, will require two to three sets of bunk boards, as this will allow each of the vessel’s pontoons to be completely supported when hoisted out of the water. I have a 21 SLXP triton on order for early May delivery. You may like my other videos. Place the boat and trailer on a firm, level surface. Lower the tongue of the trailer to the ground to elevate the transom.. You may need a friend to help keep the tongue down. Cleaning, restoring and protecting your pontoons when your boat is still on the trailer is difficult. 4. Jun 13, 2018 - Everything that you would ever want to know about pontoon boat lifts, including reviews of pontoon lifts, how much they cost with some prices, and even tips on how you can convert a normal boat lift to a pontoon one. Again, a high-lift jack can be used as a winch with appropriate chains or wire (rope would be too stretchy). [Diag.2]. Anyway, I need to modify my lift for a pontoon boat and it has been a real PITA. How to Drive a Pontoon Boat. weights, do not lift your boat in this way, get professional help. Never become discouraged as you learn how to dock a pontoon boat. You’ll also want to take into account the style of pontoons on your vessel, as this will determine how they should be supported on the lift. If your tired of having to cover your boat, adding a canopy to your lift takes away the need to cover your boat after every use. they said it was from the weight of the engine and the boat swinging from the davits. A pontoon boat lift is designed to protect your expensive pontoon boat. 3. For these types of lifts, you can spend as much as $20,000 or as little as $6,000. Our team works with all of the pontoon boat manufacturers so that we know exactly the type of bunk support your vessel will need. Block the transom using cinder or wooden blocks. If the blocks and wood do not fit between the ground and the boat, you may have to use additional pieces of 2”x8”x16″ wooden plank to compensate for the difference. The boat lift motor has a power switch on it, which you can use to lower the vessel. Copy link. I made the mistake and used two 5" nylon straps with a 3/4 hp 2800 lb. You may need a … If possible, and convenient, you should try to move in line with … When you invest in a boat lift, they will thank you for it! 9 to 12 cinder blocks or wooden blocks 8″ x 8″ x 16″ Made of wood, stainless-steel, or aluminum, center lift cradles often have a coated layer of vinyl to protect your underbelly scratching. Center Lift Cradles. I have a V-hull fiberglass boat at the same location that I keep on a sling lift. With a standard V-hull vessel, the boat rests on a single set of bunk boards that are attached to the boat lift cradle at an angle, thereby supporting each side of the hull. Practice Makes Perfect. Contact us today to learn more. This procedure is proven safe for boats up to 40 ft. providing that you follow the instructions and make sure that the ground is firm and level, that your trailer and equipment is sound and the blocks and wooden planks and shims are in good conditions. Make sure that the boat is well supported on each column and is stable. If Then lower the jack and use wooden plates under the jack to give you additional height. The boat should be well supported and stable on all three columns and the bunks of the trailer should be about 6 to 8 inches lower than the bottom of the boat. Make sure that there is a 2”x8”x16″ wooden plank between the pontoons and the blocks to prevent damage to the boat. Crown bunks are set to the inside to accomodate the Crown. Includes prices on the conversion kits, and some guidance on how to complete a successful DIY project with timber logs. The problem we have is the lake has gone down far enough that the toons barely touch the water when we drop the lift all the way down. Place blocks with a 2”x8”x16″ wooden plank on top, under the front cross member to support the boat.. Start lowering the jack until the weight of the boat is supported on the three columns of blocks and plates. -lower the tongue and pull the trailer out. If you like the sound of that ease and control, investing in a Shoreline hydraulic lift might be the way to go. See more ideas about boat lift, pontoon boat, pontoon. Info. The lift has a 7K# capacity built into a permanent covered structure. With a standard V-hull vessel, the boat rests on a single set of bunk boards that are attached to the boat lift cradle at an angle, thereby supporting each side of the hull. Hydrofin is an engineering masterpiece designed by world renowned naval architects Morrelli & Melvin. DECO Boat Lifts1041 Harbor Lake DrSafety Harbor, FL 34695, Boat Lift Jacksonville | St. Augustine | Ponte Vedra, Boat Lift Miami | Ft Lauderdale | West Palm Beach, How Much Does it Cost to Install a Boat Lift, Should I Buy a Cradle or Elevator Boat Lift? CAUTION: This is a safe procedure when done correctly and with care. With the intricacies involved in building a lift system that can properly support a pontoon boat, it is important to work with a company that has expertise with custom solutions. I purchased an Avalon 22' tri-toon and will take delivery the end of the month. Free App. Continue jacking up the trailer. I plan to have the pontoons resting on flat bunks, but the bunks wont' be as long as the pontoons. To bring your boat back down, simply deflate. Make sure the motor stop has a bumper so the boat does not get scratched. These strakes work by creating lift at the bow of the boat and displacing water to help increase the overall speed and ensure a much smoother ride. This video shows you how to build a pontoon boat cover lifter. New invention. See more ideas about boat lift, pontoon boat, pontoon. Most of the boat lift manufacturers will sell conversion bunks and kits which let you change a standard boat lift from one that works with v-shaped hulls, to a pontoon lift.