New member and new to toons

[Trktrd]

Hi all, wonderful forum here. Have learned alot so far. Well after 40 years of boating I am now the proud owner of my first pontoon. A Lowe 189. First outboard engine also, I'm quickly learning to be an outboard mechanic (about the only engines I've never worked on). I should be done with cosmetic and mechanical restoration in a week or two. One question though. The trailer has an outside bunk board that is completely rotten and the back half is gone. I'd like to replace this before launching and possibly damaging a pontoon. What is the best way to jack up one side of the boat while still on the trailer? Can I just grab the underside of the deck with my tractor bucket and pick it up, or would this cause damage? Thanks in advance for any input.

 

[duke33]

Re: New member and new to toons

I can't help you, but Welcome to iboats!

 

[MH Hawker]

Re: New member and new to toons

Welcome to iboats, and you cant beat a toon for comfort and ease of maintains.

On the few times I have raised one like that it has been with a 10 foot 4 x 4 post against the cross members under the deck to spread the load and a bottle jack. I would be concerned about trying to lift one side by one lifting point. It would throw a twist into the frame work and being as the cross members are bolted to the toons it would put the strain directly onto the toon brackets and those are very prone to crack in the welded areas

How ever if you attach to the front and back of the toon lifting eyes itself and lift from the center of the strap or chain it would work fine. I would not wrap any thing around the toon to use as a lift point, it may do damage its why they have lifting eyes.

Interesting problem. Of course the simplest way it to float it off and change it out in the parking lot. Depending on how much bracket are exposed and how far you have to travel to launch I would think about padding the exposed metal of the brackets with old tire rubber or something tuff.

5150abf is the expert in such matters and I am sure he will be along in a bit and can give you a lot better information.

 

[Trktrd]

Re: New member and new to toons

Sounds like floating it off is the best idea. I'll prefab a bunk and do it at the ramp. Only problem I could foresee with that is wrestling off the old rusted bolts.

 

[duke33]

Re: New member and new to toons

That's where a cordless sawzall would come in handy.

 

[MH Hawker]

Re: New member and new to toons

More than likely their lag bolts and you wont have any problems.

 

[Trktrd]

Re: New member and new to toons

Yep, you're right - lags. This will be a piece of cake.

 

[2 Eagles]

Re: New member and new to toons

Welcome to Iboats. Foating is the best. But you could lift by the lifting eyes.

 

[Trktrd]

Re: New member and new to toons

Another question. There are no cleats anywhere on this boat. And no apparent holes where they could have been at one time. How is one expected to tie up to a dock? Surely not tie up to the fence rails.

 

[treker]

Re: New member and new to toons

Could they have just been using the eyes on the toons to tie up, would be a pain, but it's possible

 

[MH Hawker]

Re: New member and new to toons

I use the eyes on mine.

 

[The Rooster]

Re: New member and new to toons

Another question. There are no cleats anywhere on this boat. And no apparent holes where they could have been at one time. How is one expected to tie up to a dock? Surely not tie up to the fence rails.

Welcome to the forum. I've seen many "tooners" use a standard dock line w/ a "D" ring. They simply snap the ring to the eyelits on the toons and tie the loose end to docks/boats/pilings. Don't touch the fence rails !!! Or you could just install some cleats w/ backing plates. Good luck !!!