Pontoon Boats

Boat Lift for Pontoon

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If a pontoon boat is left in water bodies, the chemicals and constituents in the water can have a corroding effect on the boat. To ensure that a pontoon boat looks new and is well maintained, an owner may consider a boat lift for pontoon to keep it out of water while it is being docked. These lifts are available in different shapes and sizes for accommodating pontoon boats from distinct manufacturers.

Type of Lifts

There are different types of boat lifts for pontoons 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 to be used.

Floating Docks: Floating docks are generally made up of buoyant parts that are combined to form a dock for boat storage. These are drive-on and low maintenance but generally do not come with canopy.

Choosing a boat lift

A few factors must be considered while choosing a boat lift for pontoon that is an ideal fit.

  • Weight of the boat: 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 supporting capability for safe storage. These may vary anywhere between 1200 lbs. to 15000 lbs. or even more. While selecting a lift, an individual must ensure that it can support the weight of the pontoon that they are buying it for. Overloading a lift may cause it to fail and even damage its structural integrity.

  • Dimensions of the boat: Boats have different dimensions and these must be factored in while choosing a lift. The length of a boat can vary from 14 feet to 30 feet while its beam width may range from 7 feet to 12 feet. A custom-built pontoon 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 boats.

  • Type of Water: A lift to be installed in seawater will have to be treated for increasing corrosion resistance as compared to that to be fitted in fresh water. 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. While choosing the boat the type of water body and its depth must be considered.

  • With Canopy or without Canopy: Boat lifts are available both with and without canopy. An added canopy removes the hassles of having to cover the boat after every use. A boat lift for pontoon without canopy will require a person to purchase a separate cover for the pontoon boat though it will cover the boat better. A person may choose one among these based on their personal preferences.

  • Manual vs motorized: Some of the lifts are operated with hand while others can be fitted with a motor for easier operation. The motorized lifts will require a power source. A user may choose one of these depending on their requirements.

Consulting the lift manufacturer regarding the specifications of the boat can help a person to decide one which is perfect for their needs.

Click this link for additional information about Fun Pontoon Boat Accessories.

Pontoon Boat Lift Prices

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There is a surge in the popularity of the pontoon boats. But with every purchase of the pontoon boat, there pops a question regarding their storage. The pontoon boat lifts help to keep the boat out of the water and will prevent any blemishing and tarnishing. After all, a boat is a prized possession and every likes their toys new and shining.

Pontoon Boat Vs Conventional Boat Lift

Traditionally, majority of companies modified generic boat lifts with equipment to accommodate the pontoon boats. Today, as the pontoon boats accounts for a good chunk of the boat market segment, there are special lifts being designed and sold specifically for pontoon boats.

Buying a Pontoon Boat Lift

The pontoon boat lift prices and the buying decision will directly depend on features and characteristics such as the build quality of the lift, the amount of weight it can carry and its design. The most important features while deciding on a boat lift include:

Installation and Ease of Operating the lift

If a pontoon boat lift requires assembly, it should either be easy to assemble or a company appointed technician should install the same. While purchasing, the sales person or the manufacturer should be asked regarding the same.

Another major factor to consider is how complicated the process of controlling the lift is. The lift should be easily operable and controlling it should not be rocket science. Some of these pontoon lifts might even feature a remote control making the task of operating the lift easy and expedient.

Manual lift vs Automatic Lifts

The pontoon boat lifts can either be operated manually or might be automatic. A manual lift will be hand operated while an automatic lift will require a source of electricity to power it. The pontoon boat lift prices of manual lifts will be significantly lower than the automatic ones. One may choose between these depending on the area their dock is in.

Carrying Capacity and Dimensions

Different types of lifts have different weight withstand capacity. ShoreMaster is one such brand that has different lift models with capacity from 4000 lbs. to 7000 lbs. While choosing the lift, a person must keep in mind the weight of their pontoon boat along with its dimensions. While going for pontoon boat shopping, it is wise that a person jots these down to purchase a lift that will house their boats conveniently.

Design and Durability

The quality of material that is employed in construction will also determine the pontoon boat lift price and whether a boat owner should buy it. Ideally, a lift that employs better quality material should be preferred as the lift will be exposed to untreated salty water that might corrode it and damage its structural integrity. Spending a few extra pennies for a better-quality lift made of stainless steel or even aluminum will be worth a lot in long run. In case of electrical lift, the motor and other equipment used must be waterproof and shock proof. Quite often the waters might get rough especially during monsoon or rainy season and they lift should also hold steady and sturdy. A lift should also be able to withstand strong water currents while bearing the weight of load. HydroHoist is one of the many manufacturers known for their durable boat lifts.

Other Features

A few other features that the lift has can make the pontoon boat lift’s price worth its cost. The nature of the soil at the bed of water body will factor in while purchasing the pontoon boat lift. Comparing the warranty cover on the lift and any electrical equipment that it employs will help in choosing the perfect lift. If a person is planning to switch their water ride in a couple of years, an adjustable boat lift should be opted that can accommodate any future boats they are planning on.

Considering all these points can help a boat owner decide on the right boat lift to buy.

Click this link for additional information about Fun Pontoon Boat Accessories.

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