Boathouse Length vs Boat Length

[richpeace]

Hello there -

First post after browsing for a while.

Our family as recently purchased a lake house that has a recently built boat house included. The boat house has a couple of slips both with lifts for a dry docking. The current owner keeps a 24.5 foot (with motor) pontoon boat in one of the slips and it hangs out the back approximately 6 inches. We are wanting to bring our 26.5 foot pontoon (again that's with motor), and put it in the same slip, so we'd be looking at approximately 2.5 feet of exposure out of the back. I have a motor cover that I will be using when not at the lakehouse but I'm curious if it's a no-no to have the boat hang out of the back of the slip that much?

There are a couple of ways we could make the slip longer but don't want to go down that road unless necessary.

Thank you for any guidance from those more experienced.

RP

 

[ahicks]

I think the answer here is going to be how the boat is supported when out of the water? Slings, a conventional boat lift under cover, what?

 

[richpeace]

I think the answer here is going to be how the boat is supported when out of the water? Slings, a conventional boat lift under cover, what?

Thank you for the reply. The boat will be supported by a suspended lift with stainless steel cables and brackets underneath the boat.

 

[ahicks]

It SOUNDS like several feet of boat might be hanging off the back of your "platform". A lot of unsupported overhang like that is usually not good. You may be able to install additional structure on that platform that would get the job done properly. Without seeing more specifics, it's hard to say for sure.

 

[tpenfield]

In terms of a 'no-no' . . . are you concerned about the lift being too small or the 2-3 feet of direct exposure to weather?

 

[Sea Rider]

Post pictures of the boat house, lift and slips, much better than 1 K written words...

Happy Boating

 

[Scott06]

Thank you for the reply. The boat will be supported by a suspended lift with stainless steel cables and brackets underneath the boat.

I would be more worried about the boat being centered in the hoist than anything hanging out in the weather. You may need to move the hoist back in the boat house which may or may not be easy depending on how it is framed up

 

[Scott Danforth]

most boats are arse-heavy and having more weight hang off the aft lower beam on a lift means that nearly 100% of the weight is on the one lower and nearly 0% is on the forward lower beam

Who's lift? only a few can take 100% of the load on a beam

you may need to re-position the lift

 

[richpeace]

Thank you everyone for the replies. Very good thoughts about weight distribution. That's what I'm most concerned about. I'm putting a couple of pics below. And I was also able to track down the gentleman who originally built the boathouse/slips, so am going to reach out to him today.

 

[richpeace]

In terms of a 'no-no' . . . are you concerned about the lift being too small or the 2-3 feet of direct exposure to weather?

Really both, but at first it was more the weather exposure...

 

[flashback]

I know a couple of folks who just use sling straps to lift their pontoon boats. no cradle at all so as long as the boat is balanced it should be ok. as far as the back end getting rained on you probably need to use a cover. Even if you had another two feet of roof the wind still would blow rain in..

 

[Scott Danforth]

good old turtlewax helps with UV protection of the motor paint.

 

[dingbat]

I use one of these to cover my motor.

Attwood Outboard Motor Hood

Ideal for boats that require separate outboard motor protection. The motor hood has a draw rope sewn into the hem for a tight fit. 3 year warranty. Heavy duty gray cotton canvas. Engine Length Width Height Outboard Motor to 25 hp 21"...

www.iboats.com

 

[tpenfield]

Rain does not always come stright down, so even a few extra feet of roof/awning will not be 100% protection from weather, but it will help. You may still want to cover the pontoon boat regardless.

 

[ahicks]

In the southern states, it has nothing to do with the rain. It's about the sun.....

 

[nola mike]

Can you back the boat in?

 

[richpeace]

Well, we have a solution. We will be taking about 15 inches out of the front portion of the slip and refitting the lift for the new boat.

Question: Boat will arrive next week... work will be done in early June. Any tips on temporarily wet docking my boat in the same slip? Is it as simple as making sure it's tied off properly and with bumpers properly placed?

Thank you everyone for all of your help...

 

[flashback]

Your biggest concern is how much the lake level fluctuates.

 

[richpeace]

Your biggest concern is how much the lake level fluctuates.

Good thought. Honestly didn't even think about that...

Thank you!

 

[dingbat]

Question: Any tips on temporarily wet docking my boat in the same slip? Is it as simple as making sure it's tied off properly and with bumpers properly placed?

If tied up properly you will not need the bumpers. Compensates for water level changes