Pontoon how to question

[EricJRW]

We bought a lake house a few years back, complete with a dock. The owner made me an offer I could not refuse on the pontoon boat (details in sig) that hung in the sling. It did not come with a trailer. Now I don't really "need" a trailer in the "boat here and there" sense as we are happy with staying on our lake, but there are certain jobs I would like to do while not in the sling and over the water. I also don't really want to invest in a trailer, but I'm curious...

Does such a trailer exist that I could borrow/rent that would allow me to take the boat out of the water and set it on the ground? I also assume the ground would have to be very level, as it seems reasonable that both pontoons should be in full contact with the ground. I wonder if some sort of cradle would need to be built?

Thanks in advance for your help.

Eric

 

[bigdee]

Re: Pontoon how to question

Get to know your neighbors and make friends with them. Most people that live on the lake have a trailer that is sitting idle for the summer so just ask or barter to use one. Make sure the width between the bunks and the length is appropriate for your boat.

 

[lncoop]

Re: Pontoon how to question

Such a trailer does indeed exist. The deck rather than the toons sits on the trailer and it can be cranked up and down. It's usually referred to as a scissor trailer. Whether one's available for rent in your area is a question that can only be answered by those in your area.

 

[H20Rat]

Re: Pontoon how to question

Depends on area, but scissor trailers are usually quite popular for just that reason. They are tricky to tow, so most new pontoons come with bunk trailers for liability reasons. Look around your area and find a guy with an older pontoon, a little cash in his pocket and he'd probably help you out!

 

[bigdee]

Re: Pontoon how to question

We bought a lake house a few years back, complete with a dock. The owner made me an offer I could not refuse on the pontoon boat (details in sig) that hung in the sling. It did not come with a trailer. Now I don't really "need" a trailer in the "boat here and there" sense as we are happy with staying on our lake, but there are certain jobs I would like to do while not in the sling and over the water. I also don't really want to invest in a trailer, but I'm curious...

Does such a trailer exist that I could borrow/rent that would allow me to take the boat out of the water and set it on the ground? I also assume the ground would have to be very level, as it seems reasonable that both pontoons should be in full contact with the ground. I wonder if some sort of cradle would need to be built?

Thanks in advance for your help.

Eric

I don't understand why you would want to set it on the ground?? Why not leave it on the trailer while you work on it?

 

[EricJRW]

Re: Pontoon how to question

bigdee: My thought was I did not want to tie up someone else's trailer (or rent for longer than I had too). If I started a job and could not finish, now the boat is stuck on the trailer. But if I could drop the boat off the trailer I would have all the time I needed, perhaps even at the end of the season.

Incoop: Thanks for the scissor trailer idea. Will have to research that. So a pontoon deck can support the tubes? Does something go between the tubes to keep then from sagging? Sounds like the perfect trailer, and while smokingcrater said they are tricky to tow, luckily I'm not too far from a ramp.

Thank you all.

Eric

 

[lncoop]

Re: Pontoon how to question

I've never used a scissor trailer, but yes, they're safe for towing short distances, which is what they're designed for. Some of the guys use them for regular towing, which I'm not fond of, but it seems to work fine for them.

 

[The_Kid]

Re: Pontoon how to question

The deck structure will support the logs. Mine gets pulled and stored every winter using a scissor trailer. I set it down on four pieces of foam so I can drop the motor all the way down.

 

[EricJRW]

Re: Pontoon how to question

I like that foam idea... Is it a dense foam, like Styrofoam, or something else? I was thinking more of the log needs to be in contact with the ground, but is supporting it at just 4 points is OK? Does it matter where (obviously fore and aft, but I'm thinking along the lines of car jack points and if there are structurally better places to set the boat down)?

Thanks for the excellent idea.

Eric

 

[H20Rat]

Re: Pontoon how to question

I like that foam idea... Is it a dense foam, like Styrofoam, or something else? I was thinking more of the log needs to be in contact with the ground, but is supporting it at just 4 points is OK? Does it matter where (obviously fore and aft, but I'm thinking along the lines of car jack points and if there are structurally better places to set the boat down)?

Thanks for the excellent idea.

Eric

Nope, you are over analyzing it! Your pontoon isn't as fragile as you think...

My pontoon spends 90% of its life resting on the ground on its logs. I've got a scissor trailer, so if it isn't in the water, I rest it on the ground. (less chance of wind getting under it and flipping it if its laying on the ground) It has also spent extended times on the scissor trailer and not resting on the ground, nothing bad happens by supporting the deck only.

Anyway, you don't need perfectly level ground, or even supports for that matter. Find a relatively clear spot of grass/dirt, and set her down. The main reason to use supports under the tubes is to make it easier to get the trailer back under it, as well as give you more room to work if you are crawling around under there. (old tires make great supports!)

 

[lncoop]

Re: Pontoon how to question

(old tires make great supports!)

As do disagreeable mothers in law. Or so I've heard.

 

[The Rooster]

Re: Pontoon how to question

As do disagreeable mothers in law. Or so I've heard.

Oh, thats just not right !!!

 

[EricJRW]

Re: Pontoon how to question

I do tend to over analyze.

I just happened to be in the boat shop today (2nd trip in as many days, one more planned for Friday) and noticed they rest their boats (4 Winns) on three blocks of rather beefy Styrofoam. Next time in I may inquire about obtaining some, as if I ever gain access to a scissor trailer, I do like the idea of resting the boat on something for the height factor alone (I plan to pull the leg* to service the impeller as well as work on the tilt and trim, so higher might be better).

Guess it's time to start dropping hints about a scissor trailer.

* The name of that part is escaping me at the moment.