Pontoon Boat & Deck Boat Forum

Even tho there is still ice on the big lake. Even tho I have hernia surgery coming up. Even tho yada yada yada, I still turn my thoughts to boating.

Tough one today: HOW TO LIFT MY DANG BOAT.

I want to clean the hull chemically from time to time. Hard to get at all of it on the trailer, plus the bunks would hold acid I fear. The (possibly only) solution might be to get my marina to do it with their houseboat ‘sling lift’ (Travelift) right out of the water.

I’m concerned about crushing the tubes. My boat is sooo heavy (big block i/o, wheelhouse and LOTs of goodys etc….). I weigh in at slightly less than 3 tons. I fear the eyes might not take it either, not to mention using the center eyes to even out the load would be tough. It is possible to maybe build a couple of 'spreader bars' that could hook into all six eyes and then not use slings, just four lifting cables on the Marine Travelift.

I’m not sure how adjustable the slings are for distance front to rear, but if possible maybe sling at the extreme rear of the tubes and at the front where the tube meets the nosecone. Because of baffles, I would think that these would be the strongest points laterally.

Thoughts or suggestions? Anyone know what SouthBay eyes are rated for?

Cheers to all

I use pickup camper jacks on mine, with 4' lengths of 3x3 angle bolted to them so each jack catches 3 cross members. I clamp the lip of the angle to the cross members with little c-clamps so they don't slide off. Lift it just enough to slide the trailer out and block the rear right after moving the trailer forward a few feet and then the middle and front as a move the trailer out.

rancherlee wrote:I use pickup camper jacks on mine, with 4' lengths of 3x3 angle bolted to them so each jack catches 3 cross members. I clamp the lip of the angle to the cross members with little c-clamps so they don't slide off. Lift it just enough to slide the trailer out and block the rear right after moving the trailer forward a few feet and then the middle and front as a move the trailer out.

Pretty good idea, Lee. Not sure if the width of my tubes would get in the way. Fair amount of work, but sounds pretty safe. Any pics?
Unrelated, I am hoping to get to Vermilion for a week this summer. I believe this is your home turf?

I wish I had took pictures, it worked pretty well but my cross members are hair wider than the pontoons and my toon is only 2500#. The camper jacks didn't struggle at all though. Yes, I usually leave my toon at my Grandparents for a few weeks every summer on Vermilion, most of June this year it will be up there on the Cook end of the lake if I get project Comet 2.0 done.
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