Do you want to extend the life of your pontoon boat and keep it looking brand new? What about reducing the number of cleanings and new paint jobs? Do you want to raise your pontoon boat out of the water to make repairs easier? What about protecting your pontoon boat from banging into the dock?
A pontoon boat lift is a perfect storage solution to all these questions! In this guide, we’ll provide a bunch of information on pontoon boat lifts. We cover all aspects from explaining a pontoon boat lift to providing reputable brands and all the in between.
What is a Pontoon Boat Lift?
A pontoon boat lift is a simple mechanical device, used to transfer the pontoon boat from the body of water to an elevated location above the water. These lifts protect the boat from potential damage caused by prolonged water exposure, such as algae growth, corrosion, or hull deterioration. Pontoon boat lifts are typically installed at docks or marinas and use mechanisms like hydraulics, cables, or air chambers to raise and lower the boat. They are available in various types and designs.
Pontoon Boat Lift Types
There are different types of pontoon boat lifts available depending on their design.
- Center Cradle Lift: A center cradle lift has its beams positioned to pick up the boat from in between the pontoons. These lifts are ideal for shallow waters.
- Bunk Style Lift: Bunk style lifts have cross beams under the pontoon for lifting the boat. These lifts require deep waters
- Floating Docks: Floating docks are made of buoyant components combined together to form a dock. These drive-on docks require no power and are low maintenance
Pontoon Boat Lift Purpose
Reduces Corrosion
A lift keeps the pontoon out of water and helps to significantly reduce corrosion. Corrosion can be quite costly resulting in a new paint job and repair or replacement of corroded parts. By reducing the amount of corrosion, a pontoon boat lift is a great invest to maintain the beauty of your pontoon boat.
Reduces Cleaning
Keeping the pontoon boat out of the water not only reduces corrosion, it also helps keep the pontoon boat clean. Using a pontoon boat lift to remove the boat from the water reduces susceptibility to moss or algae growth. These elements have the ability of reducing the overall performance of the pontoon with the passage of time.
Facilitates Repairs
Even if you purchased your pontoon boat from a very credible, trusted and well-reputed manufacturer, a time will come when it will need repaired. Pontoon boat lifts can be of prime use in such situations. They elevate the pontoon boat into the air allowing all repair tasks, which previously would have been under water, to be performed with ease.
Added Protection
Pontoon boat lifts can be outfitted with a canopy to provide additional protection from UV rays, gusty winds, driving rain, dirt and debris. The canopies provide protection along the entire length and width of the pontoon boat. Canopies are well worth the additional cost as they help protect your valuable investment from fading, cracking, peeling, and deteriorating.
Another good reason for a pontoon boat lift is it helps to protect the boat by eliminating the constant banging and bumping into the dock. With the pontoon boat in the air it remains stable and safe.
Choosing a Pontoon Boat Lift
Choosing the right boat lift is as important as selecting the right pontoon boat. There are different brands each of which offer various models with unique designs. It can be quite confusing to select one. Before sifting through the available brands and their offerings, a pontoon boat owner must first decide on the features they desire.
Pontoon Boat Weight
Pontoon boats come in different sizes and with different seating capacity. These affect the weight of the boat along with other installed equipment. Lifts are designed with a predefined weight capacity for safe storage. Weight capacities may vary between 1200 lbs. to 15000 lbs. When selecting a lift, you must ensure it can support the weight of the pontoon boat. Overloading a lift may cause failure resulting in boat damage and even personal injury.
Pontoon Boat Dimensions
Pontoon boats have different dimensions and these must be factored in while choosing a lift. Boat length can vary from 14′ to 30′, and its width can range from 7′ to 12′. Custom-built pontoons may even be longer and wider. Choosing the right boat lift for pontoon will require a person to ensure that the lift has enough room to dock their boat.
Design and Durability
The quality of material employed in construction of the lift will play a key role when deciding to purchase. Ideally, a lift built from high-quality materials should be preferred because the lift will constantly be exposed to corrosive and damaging environment. Spending a few extra dollars for a high-quality lift made of stainless steel or even aluminum will be worth it in long run.
In the case of an electric lift, the motor and other electronic equipment used must be waterproof and shock proof.
A lift should also be able to withstand strong water currents while bearing the weight of the pontoon boat
Type of Water
As compared to fresh water, a pontoon boat lift installed in saltwater must have extra corrosion resistance. The depth of the water will also have an impact on the buying decision. For shallow waters, a vertical lift may be ideal, while for deep waters a bunk style lift will be better.
With or Without a Canopy
Pontoon boat lifts are available both with and without a canopy. A canopy removes the hassles of having to cover the boat after every use. Quite a few manufacturers provide a pontoon boat lift with a canopy that not only protects the boat from corrosion but also prevents damage from the sun, rain and other environmental conditions.
Without a canopy, the owner must purchase a separate cover for the pontoon boat. It should be noted that this pontoon boat cover will provide better protection than the canopy.
Manual vs. Automatic
The pontoon boat lifts can be operated manually or automatically. A manual lift will be hand operated while an automatic lift will require a source of electricity to power the motor. The price of a manual lift will be significantly lower than an automatic lift. One may choose between these depending on the area their pontoon boat is docked.
Installation and Ease of Operation
If a pontoon boat lift requires assembly, it should either be easy to assemble or the company shall appoint a qualified technician to install. While purchasing, ensure you ask the clarifying questions to the sales representative.
Another major factor to consider is how complicated the lift is to operate. The lift should be easily operable, and controlling it should not be rocket science. Some manufacturers might even feature a remote control which makes operation easy and expedient.
Pontoon Boat Lift Brands
With so many new pontoons in the market (small pontoon boats, mini pontoon boats, fast pontoon boats, and many more), boat lift manufactures are introducing a new line of pontoon boat lifts to accommodate these pontoons. Pontoon boat lifts are a new trend in the market, even though they have been there for a long time. Below are some pontoon boat lift brands we recommend.
ShoreStation
In boat business since 1959, ShoreStation is a company renowned for its pontoon lifts. The aluminum vertical lifts from this brand are available in carrying capacities from 1500 lbs. to 7000 lbs., and they can accommodate boats with maximum beam width from 9′ to 11′. They come in manual and automatic configurations. Besides these, specialty pontoon lifts are also offered by the brand that have a maximum load capacity of 10000 lbs. Standard adjustable legs, extension legs and deep-water variants are also available.
Pier Pleasure
Pier Pleasure has been around since 1974 and is one of the most respected brands based on the rave reviews by its customers. It manufactures cantilever and vertical pontoon boat lifts. The cantilever lift is quite popular due to its 20-year structural warranty and aluminum construction. It can support boats with a 9.5′ beam width and 2400 lbs. Vertical pontoon lift variants can support a maximum weight from 3000 to 5000 lbs. and beam width of 9.5′ to 10′. These lifts are ideal for shallow waters.
Hewitt
Hewitt has been building lifts for boats since 1972 and their experience allows them to manufacture one of the best products in the market. They have outstanding pontoon boat lift reviews for its narrow pontoon lifts. Their narrow pontoon boat lift comes in three different models which are suitable for pontoon boats of different lengths and weights. The unique point of these lifts is that the beams are positioned between the pontoons. Because they are the length of the boat, it evenly distributes the weight making it easier to lift and lower boats.
All the models come with a 12′ canopy that provides protection to the boat from weather, sun and wind. The frame is constructed from aluminum which ensures that it is not corroded due to exposure to water. It includes a self-braking winch for operation that can either be installed in front or on side of the lift for easier operation.
Porta-Dock
Another great pontoon boat lift brand is Porta-Dock. They are backed by five decades of research and innovation. The offerings from the brand include cantilever lifts, vertical lifts and shallow water lifts. Port-Dock’s cantilever lifts have two models, one with support for an 84” beam and 1200 lbs. and other with a 95” beam and 2000 lbs. The vertical lift models have maximum weight capacities from 2200 to 6000 lbs. and can support boats with 113” to 120” beams. Their shallow water lifts can carry boats 3000 to 5000 lbs. and 113” to 120” wide. A buyer is presented with multiple bunk options that include deluxe pontoon bunks and full pontoon bunks among others.
ShoreMaster
ShoreMaster is one of the leading brands for pontoon boat lifts. The company’s boat lifts have been designed to lift even the larger and powerful pontoons with care. ShoreMaster builds pontoon boat lifts with longer bases and larger widths to ensure the pontoon is perfectly protected. The company offers different designs like the cantilever lift, vertical lift and hydraulic lift.
The lifts can be equipped with the Lift Boss or Lift Mate motors for easy operation using a switch, key or remote. Both the lift and canopy frame is welded for increased durability and high-quality construction. The lifts include guide rails for docking the boat correctly and evenly distributing its weight across the lift. ShoreMaster manufactures pontoon boat lifts with a canopy to free the owner from the hassles of having to cover their boats after every use.
Pontoon Boat Lift Prices
When it comes to the pricing of pontoon boat lifts, companies tend to make the budgeting processes easier by designing and creating specific models. The price for pontoon boat lifts vary from $3500 to $12000 according to the following features:
- Pontoon boat size, shape and weight
- Owner’s desired features
- Warranty
- Manufacturer (a Hewitt pontoon boat lift costs around $3500, whereas a ShoreMaster pontoon boat lift costs around $6000 to $12000)
Conclusion
Investing in a pontoon boat lift is a smart decision for any boat owner looking to protect their vessel, simplify storage, and enhance their boating experience. With options ranging from stationary to floating models, and a variety of features to suit different needs, there’s a lift for every situation. By keeping your pontoon boat elevated, you can prevent water damage, reduce maintenance, and enjoy easier docking and launching. Whether you’re a seasoned boater or a first-time owner, choosing the right lift ensures your boat remains in top condition for years of worry-free adventures.
