When it comes to mounting hardware for these brackets, I recommend using a screw and washer like our 3/8 Inch Stainless Steel Hex Lag Screw, # FA74521, and Stainless Steel Washer, # FA0152661. Because the hull of a pontoon differs from traditional V-shaped boats, generic lifts aren’t constructed to support the weight distribution and width of a pontoon’s flat deck and aluminum support below. Standard lifts are fine for older, traditional pontoon boats, but more recent models need a lift designed specifically for pontoons. This method of using lumber bed and bunks spanned over the steel beams appears to be the most popular approach, but there is often confusion on how far apart the timber bunks should be spaced. A large, physical distinction between traditional deck boats and pontoons is the shape and function of the hull. Thanks to the Lift Mate, you can convert your manual boat lift into an electric power boat lift. You can make your selection based off 3 boat lift categories: suspended, bottom standing, and floating. However, at SVI Recreational, we dedicate out time to manufacturing quality boat lift kits and repair parts that extend the quality and life of your boating equipment. Includes prices on the conversion kits, and some guidance on how to complete a successful DIY project with timber logs. Significantly more stable than other cradle style pontoon boat lifts, bunk style cradles work similarly to the bunks on a boat trailer. They allow you to get your boat out of water, so that you don’t risk corrosion or water damage from being left in the water for a long time. Known for their many advantages in maintaining an easy, family-friendly design, pontoons are designed with durability in mind. It's a pontoon boat hydrofoil that also works as a third pontoon however, unlike a standard third pontoon, the Water Glide provides floatation and lifts your boat while underway. An efficient way to prolong longevity is by securing the right boat lift for your pontoon. The CE Smith V-Wing Bolster Bracket, part # CE26244G we offer is designed to have either 2 X 6 or 2 X 8 boards mounted to them. They are made to sit under the pontoon on the boat and need to have a secure frame to be mounted to. However, it offers more than just simple lifting/transferring of the boat and saves a lot of time and money. Storing your boat is simple and stress-free. This highlights the importance of being cautious when selecting your type of lift. This not only makes maintenance checking easier but it reduces the risk of damage caused by loading the boat and trailering it to a maintenance area. Usually made from nylon or polyester, the sling lift lies flat against the ground. Our pontoon boat lift offers greater support, and is available in 3,000 to 10,000 lb. 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. Jun 13, 2018 - Here are some notes I found when researching how to convert a boat lift to a pontoon lift. Pontoon cradles are typically manufactured with aluminum and stainless-steel hardware with optional carpet, vinyl, or wood bunks to support the pontoon. Otherwise, you will need to use jacks to lift it high enough to back a flat bed trailer underneath it, tie it down securely, and haul it to a launching point. All motor models are available in 12V DC or 110V AC power options. Sling style boat lifts provide the greatest depth. (If you are looking for a lift that does not attach to the roof of a boathouse, see our freestanding lake lifts. There are plenty of people on websites such as Craigslist who should be able to help out. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. When partnered with the Pontoon Lift’s Whisper Winch a boat lift motor offers the easiest, most unobtrusive lift operation on the market. For example, if passengers are coming on and off, how is that weight distribution going to affect potential stress on the boat and structure? Pontoon boats will require a lot more support on the lift structure than simply wrapping some carpet around any new or existing cross beams that you add. The flat deck and hull lend tremendous stability on top of the water by easily resisting side-to-side rocking traditional deck boats often encounter. New design allows winch to be positioned on either side of the lift. capacity vertical lifts. If you’re fairly handy, it’s possible to do a pontoon boat lift conversion at home by building the required parts. Pontoon Boat Electrolysis: How to Stop and Prevent Corrosion, How to Remove Barnacles from a Pontoon Boat in 6 Simple Steps, How to Properly Anchor a Pontoon Boat in 7 Steps, How to Store a Pontoon Boat Without a Trailer, How to Clean a Bimini Top of Mildew & Mold Stains With No Bleach. There are plenty of conversion projects available to view online in the various pontoon boat forums, but one guy who has had a lot of success and no problems bought 6 garden timbers and positioned them across his existing boat lift. In addition to the new sizes and better fit, these lifts have the same great quality as our standard line. Pontoon Boat Lifts are a worth-while investment. Call or email us today to learn more about our capabilities or to locate a qualified SVI distributor near you. HEAVY DUTY WINCH. Pontoon Boat Lift Conversion: How to Convert & How Much it Costs. Made of wood, stainless-steel, or aluminum, center lift cradles often have a coated layer of vinyl to protect your underbelly scratching. Would I want to risk damaging my pontoon which runs into the thousands of dollars? If you’re looking for a pontoon boat lift, the bulk of the lifts on the market is free-standing, but you also can get shore-mounted and floating options that work like those described for PWC. Fitting Your Trailer to the Pontoon Boat: When selecting a pontoon trailer you must know the length and approximate weight of your pontoon. It should not be a problem in a sheltered area with no cross winds, but if you’re in an exposed and windy area, it’s going to be a lot harder. A boathouse lift is a boat lift that attaches to the roof joists of a boathouse. That seems quite expensive to me, but at least you would have the peace of mind in knowing that have been designed especially for pontoons. Depending on how your existing lift is configured you might need to add hull pads that work with both pontoons and tritoons. The prices tended to average out around $1,300. There are some things that you should be aware of though before you even attempt a pontoon boat lift conversion yourself. Some luxury pontoon boats can be up to 30 feet long, so they need extra support, which standard lifts do not provide. Boat lifts for pontoon boats require entirely new design, structure, and weight capacity. Typically, the hull of deck boats are V-shaped. Unfortunately, nothing lasts forever. Pontoonopedia is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com. Back in the day, when I was growing up in the family dealership…we used a pontoon trailer to transport boat lifts. Heavy duty winch has greater strength and dependability than lightweight “trailer” type winches that are used by other manufacturers. The V mounting brackets that you could use to convert your conventional trailer to a pontoon boat trailer are the CE Smith V-Wing Bolster Bracket, # CE26244G. Be out on the water within minutes of pushing "Lower" on your boat lift control. How to Lift a Pontoon Boat 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. Letting you safely haul your boat out of the water without all the effort, a pontoon boat lift provides a safe space for storage that also works to protect your boat from the usual damages. Also, think about how much weight is going to be on the pontoon whilst in the newly converted lift. Pontoon Boat Kits Aluminum Pontoons Docks Work Boats. Made of wood, stainless-steel, or aluminum, center lift cradles often have a coated layer of vinyl to protect your underbelly scratching. 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. For boat relocation, maintenance, or simple corrosion prevention, mariners found many reasons to name this an essential component in their boating experience or career. 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.