How many bunks on the lift

[Pammy]

Should I have three installed on the lift for the tri toon or would that make it harder to get on the lift if it's less than calm?

[Ron Burgundy]

I would do three to help support that center log. It shouldn't be any harder to get on. As long as you line up on the outer two the center will take care of itself. It will still take some practice though. I've heard that tri-toons are difficult to manuver at low speeds.

[cwag911]

Here's some pics of ours Pammy. We don't have bunks like a trailer has but 2x12's that are covered. The poles on the side keep the boat lined up and it's pretty easy even when windy or choppy.

[GregF]

Carl's lift is what I see here too. There are also a lot of folks here with floating lifts and other styles.
I am the unusual one because I pick up my boat on hooks in the lift rings. It is because I don't have a lot of water under it and a cradle would keep me from launching on a real low tide.

[Bamaman]

Carl: That is some kind of first class heavy duty lift. Looks like it'd lift a 30' Sundowner with the double pull pulleys.

Most lifts on our fresh water lake are Ace style 4000 lb. lifts like the kind sold @ Overtons. Double 2x8 runners are placed flat on a 4" channel steel frame that's welded offsite into a 10' by 15' rectangle with 4 crosspieces. They're brought in for installation on small barges with cranes.

I'm in the process of reconstructing a boathouse lift to handle my new tritoon. The steel is being prefabbed so the pieces can be carried to the boathouse on a small PWC trailer with a 4 wheeler and reassembled. Pictures will be coming when I finish the project.

These boats have to be supported well on a lift, and slings used on fiberglass boats will dent the toons over a period of time.

[cwag911]

Carl: That is some kind of first class heavy duty lift. Looks like it'd lift a 30' Sundowner with the double pull pulleys.

Most lifts on our fresh water lake are Ace style 4000 lb. lifts like the kind sold @ Overtons. Double 2x8 runners are placed flat on a 4" channel steel frame that's welded offsite into a 10' by 15' rectangle with 4 crosspieces. They're brought in for installation on small barges with cranes.

I'm in the process of reconstructing a boathouse lift to handle my new tritoon. The steel is being prefabbed so the pieces can be carried to the boathouse on a small PWC trailer with a 4 wheeler and reassembled. Pictures will be coming when I finish the project.

These boats have to be supported well on a lift, and slings used on fiberglass boats will dent the toons over a period of time.

It's a 9000 lb Hi-Tide with remote for the lift and lights. A little overkill but it was only a $600.00 difference between 6000 lb and 9000lb.

[Ron Burgundy]

I don't know if hurricane codes are the reason, but almost every lift down here looks similar to Carl's.

[cwag911]

The Hi-Tide is made in Florida.

[cnachtma]

I have a Hydro-Hoist lift and I put 3 bunks on my lift. The dealer usually sells them with only 2 and lifts his own tritoon with only 2.
I have dock lines that I hook to the back cleats on my boat that are at the right length so when I pull my boat forward with a bow line that it lines up the toons on the bunks. I fill the lift up with air and can feel when pontoons are on their bunks so I can let the boat go.
Another nice thing about a lift is that when I am getting the boat ready to go, I don't let all of the air out of the tanks. I let enough out so it lowers the boat in the water, but doesn't move around in the slip or bounce up and down. Makes the boat more stable when lifting coolers on When I am ready to go, I let the rest of the air out and I am off.

[dockholiday]

Should I have three installed on the lift for the tri toon or would that make it harder to get on the lift if it's less than calm?

I would opt for three. If the two are lined up the third naturally goes along for the ride.
doc

[GregF]

The on;y problem with a tritoon will be if the center is deeper.

[STEVEBRENDA]

We only have 2, but I would rather have 3. Ours does have a 2' bunk that the motor pod rests on.
I may add another just for piece of mind. It would not cost much.

[Pammy]

The larger center toon has got me thinking about a different brand of boat now. I like the idea of the better handling and better fuel economy due to less drag. I would like to find a supreme deal on a Manitou but down here it is always boating weather so....
I never thought that you could put flat planking to use as bunks...hmmm. I paid almost 600.00 for the bunk portion of my lift build. Seems a little overpriced when I see that. I don't want carpeted bunks though. I would like the rubber covered bunks. Salt water and pressure treating can cause electrolysis and add that to the aluminum toons and yikes!
I really appreciate you guys here.

[GregF]

2x8 PT flat on the frame seems to be the standard bunk here. Most toons have a heavy duty angle for a skeg so electrolysis is not really that big an issue. I would worry about it if the PT was right up against the skin tho.
Regular lumber is not going to last long if you are dunking it in 88 degree salt water.
I suppose you could get 2x IPE for your bunks but the price might scare you. ($200 a board?)

I guess in "boat bucks" that might not actually be that much.

I think wrapping lift bunks in plastic would just rot them out faster.
In St Pete I am sure a marine supplier can get you real CCA lumber in .80
Just be sure you say it is for salt water dock construction. (one of the few CCA exemptions)

[Ron Burgundy]

Lots of lifts here have aluminium bunks with a rubber skid instead of carpet and pt wood. They look pretty indestructable.