how tough are the pontoons

[morganhudgens]

I have a 32' Sun Tracker Party Cruiser. My current boat lift is for a v-hull boat that I just got rid of. I have no pontoon trailer, yet need to lift the pontoon out of the water for some maintenance. I was wondering if I were to put some 2x6 boards, laying on their side, perpendicular to the boards on the v-hull lift, then as the lift was coming out of the water, the 2x6s would land perpendicular to the pontoons, and lift the boat out temporarily. Then I began to wonder if the pontoons were sturdy enough to support the entire weight of the boat if they were just sitting on about 4 2x6 boards, or would it dent and damage the pontoons because the weight was not distributed evenly across them. I know pontoon lifts and trailers have two boards in a v shape to cradle each individual pontoon, which therefore distributes the weight evenly. Anyone have any ideas besides go buy a trailer?

 

[cannonman]

Re: how tough are the pontoons

I see pontoons supported by blocks under the tubes quite often. I that respect I think your fine. Whether or not your lift will support the boards and boat as you describe is hard to tell without seeing it.

 

[Mi duckdown]

Re: how tough are the pontoons

Pics. Better to support the tubes for the full length. Really not sure what you are trying to Do

 

[The Rooster]

Re: how tough are the pontoons

I think you'll be just fine doing it that way. I've seen several people down here lift their barges that way all year long. Granted, a 32' Suntracker is quite a bit heavier than most. I'd use more than 4 cross braces though. Good luck !!!

 

[HotTommy]

Re: how tough are the pontoons

I'm not sure I understand your word picture of your plan, but I'm more worried about supporting the entire weight of the boat on four 2x6's than damage to the pontoons. I would want a lot more boards supporting a 32' boat before I'd crawl under it. The number would depend on the distance between the points that support each end of the boards, and the weight of the boat. ... BTW, the strength of the board as you plan to use it is more dependent on the thickness (1.5") than the width (5.5"). All other things being equal, a 4x4 (3.5" x 3.5") would be much stronger. ... If you solve the board problem, you can solve the "damage to the pontoons" problem by making a V-shaped cradle to sit under the pontoons and on the support boards. It would distribute the weight of the boat more evenly on the pontoons.

 

[bruceb58]

Re: how tough are the pontoons

At my marina, all the pontoon boats they pull out of the water for their rental fleet sit on 4 foam blocks, one near each end with 2 per side.

 

[ahicks]

Re: how tough are the pontoons

Blocking normally place at seams.

 

[bruceb58]

Re: how tough are the pontoons

Blocking normally place at seams.

That may be where they put them at the marina. I never paid close attention.

 

[OK Toon]

Re: how tough are the pontoons

I think you'd have a problem if your V-hull set-up on the lift is like mine was. The supports at the bow is a single V in between the two hoist tanks. The supports at the stern are only a foot or two apart between the two hoist tanks. So your 2x6s where they would support beneath the pontoons, would have no actual support beneath them. The 2x6s would only be supported in the middle of the boards but the pontoons would be on the outer edges with no support.

We modified our Hydrohoist by adding 4 steel brackets with V shaped brackets bolted to the top. Then I added 16' long 2x4s that I carpeted with a gap between the boards at the bottom. The hoist needs to be shifted back in our slip since our 22' pontoon has more weight in the stern than my dad's V-hull that used to sit on the hoist. But the hoist raises the pontoon completely out of the water even though the rear of the hoist is lower in the water -- making the boat sit higher in the bow. The only thing that touches the water is the very bottom of the skeg on the motor. So much easier to use the boat with it on the lift than having to launch and load every time.

 

[HarborRat]

Re: how tough are the pontoons

Why not just get 2 long 2x10's or 12's and just put them where they are supposed to be on the lift, longways under the toons? I've seen toons dent even when on the lift correctly, so no, I would not do what you are asking....especially on a toon that big!