Lifting eyes on pontoons

[eddy622611]

Hi, I have an 20' 1987 Crest II , and I want to store it off the trailer. Can I lift it by the eyes on the ends of the pontoons, or would I have to run straps underneath Thanks, eddy622611

 

[5150abf]

Re: Lifting eyes on pontoons

I know we load our boats using the rope eyes but I am not real familiar with Crest, they are a very good boat but I would give them a call just to be sure.

If you were to tear a rope eye off all sorts of bad things could happen.

 

[Silvertip]

Re: Lifting eyes on pontoons

I don't think that's a safe way to lift the boat. Those eyes are typically attached to the skirt strip which is attached to the decking material. While that is safe for winching and docking, the twisting forces involved would rip them and the skirting right off the boat. Straps under the boat would be the only safe way to do that.

 

[SoulWinner]

Re: Lifting eyes on pontoons

SilverTip, the eyes he is referenceing are part of the pontoon. On Crest there are big heavy eyes tigged to each end.

My comment would be to ask why store the boat off the trailer? The trailer is designed to carry the boat and evenly distribute the weight without damaging the tubes. Depending on the condition of the decking, and the weight and configuration of the furniture, and other factors, there are some unanswered questions about lifting the boat using the eyes. If you just use the eyes to lift the boat momentarily to get the trailer out from under it, I think it would be fine, I am certain that the eyes on my Crest would serve that purpose; but I would not want the boat to hang from them for any longer than absolutely necessary.

 

[Silvertip]

Re: Lifting eyes on pontoons

I'll take 30 lashes with a wet noodle for not reading "end of the pontoon".

 

[BillP]

Re: Lifting eyes on pontoons

I've been hanging my toon 95% of it's life with eyes since 1996 and had no problems. It has structual beams to the edge, heavily braced and welded from the factory and lifting eyes can be done anywhere around the entire edge of the boat. The u-bolts go though the 3/4" ply decking and beams. I can't say if a crest can be done this way but here's the only pic I could find that shows mine. Look close to see an aft SS u-bolt in the corner...but the bow u-bolts were placed aft of the corner to align them with my existing lift locations. The hanging pic shows a bow line going down to one on the stb side. I used nylon bushings and washers to isolate the metals.

bp