Lift pontoon boat by decking?

DadBod6000

Recruit
Joined
Aug 13, 2024
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1
Can all pontoons be lifted by the joist/crossbar under the decking? Like a 2 4x4 across joists stern to bow? Brand new to pontoons I need to remove the boat from the trailer. I saw some other methods where support was under pontoons but was worry of crushing them. Thanks!
 

jlh3rd

Chief Petty Officer
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Jul 10, 2017
Messages
560
From experience this past spring...and the marina that had to buy me two new toons:

any lifting/supporting on the toons themselves should only be placed at the seams between the toon sections , and at the stern end cap.
The boat itself can be supported and lifted on the joists but you want to avoid uneven lifting .
I would think your 4x4 idea, two of them one on each side spaced as wide as possible, and jacks I'm assuming, at least 4, should lift and support the boat.
 

jlh3rd

Chief Petty Officer
Joined
Jul 10, 2017
Messages
560
Can all pontoons be lifted by the joist/crossbar under the decking? Like a 2 4x4 across joists stern to bow? Brand new to pontoons I need to remove the boat from the trailer. I saw some other methods where support was under pontoons but was worry of crushing them. Thanks!
You can call whoever you want, but pontoon boats with twin tubes and crossbar/joist construction can only be supported two ways. One is under the toons themselves....such as a trailer with bunks. Or using the joists as with a scissors trailer.
After removing trailers:
The only places to put supports/jacks with boards is directly under the welded toon sections and under the end cap. Anyplace else can push the toons in....ask my marina how they know......
Jacks placed under joists , spaced evenly and not at the exact ends but moved in will support the boat. A minimum of 4 at least. The toons do provide support along the span so it's not necessary to have to use a lot of jacks.
 

Scott Danforth

Grumpy Vintage Moderator still playing with boats
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Jul 23, 2011
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49,574
pontoons are moved around the factory with forklifts under the deck, not by the toon logs

scissor lifts lift the 'toon from teh deck structure

so, your good to lift the pontoon by the deck
 

jlh3rd

Chief Petty Officer
Joined
Jul 10, 2017
Messages
560
that's what I'm talking about, and that's what I said. The joists, ribs, crossmembers...whatever name you want to give them are what the deck is attached to and support the deck. Your lifting device is positioned on these crossmembers which support the deck and are under the deck.....
to the OP: yes, you can lift by the joists/crossbar UNDER the deck, and support the boat using these crossbars.
 
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jlh3rd

Chief Petty Officer
Joined
Jul 10, 2017
Messages
560
pontoons are moved around the factory with forklifts under the deck, not by the toon logs

scissor lifts lift the 'toon from teh deck structure

so, your good to lift the pontoon by the deck
pontoons, after they leave the factory , which is what we are talking about, are lifted and moved around at my marina using large straps wrapped around the toons, yes the toons.
The OP just wants to remove his boat from the trailer and support it.
He's not at a factory.
 
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