[quadthumb]

I live on a lake. I own a pontoon boat and would like to get in the water. Has anyone heard of a lift that can be placed on the boat to lower me in the water? I'd appreciate any info. on this, or even any tricks someone might have. thanks alot

[LuckyinKentucky]

I dunno but post if ya figure it out. I'm always out on my toon, but like you have not figured out the boat to water.... & more importantly the from water to boat!

[Texaswheelz]

The boat to water part is easy, just dive in... I've never had a problem getting into the water from any boat or dock i've been on. I had a friend with a pontoon and it was a bitch to get onto from the water when out on the lake, from shore it was pretty easy. The middle of the lake took a whole lot of arm strength and a wedgie, i don't think I have the arm strength for the extra 40 lbs I've put on since those days though. I'll look around and see if they have some sort of lift, only thing I can really think of off the top of my head would be a lift/sling that you would put beside a pool in your back yard and having it modified to be able to mount and use it on the pontoon.

[gsp23]

I live on a lake also... one good tip for lowering into the water if you have some function or if you can get some help.... they sell these steps that can hang off a dock or the boat that are meant for dogs so they can get back in. You can get just the small platform one if you arent low or you can get the ones with a few steps and scootch up it backwards if you have enough function to lift yourself up a couple of steps, or if you have someone to help you do it at the same time. They are carpeted so you dont slip either.

Thought I would add some links so you can see what I am talking about. If memory serves the yellow one is just plaine plastic but you could add some non-skid strips to it if need be.

Northern Flight™ Dog Doc

Paws Aboard Pet Boarding Ladder

Dog Boarding Platform

Northern Flight™ Dog Ladder

Boat/Tree Dog Platform

This post has been edited by gsp23: 17 September 2007 - 02:54 PM

[LuckyinKentucky]

Sweet!!! thanks gsp... I never would have thought of that.

[gsp23]

LuckyinKentucky, on Sep 18 2007, 12:11 AM, said:

Sweet!!! thanks gsp... I never would have thought of that.

You're welcome... I have done a lot of looking into how I can get in/out of water and boats this past year. Now if I could just figure out how to get in/out of my paddle boat from the dock to the boat I would be set. Too low down (low water level this year) and too unstable for transfer boards. Oh well the summer is almost over and I can deal without this year, hopefully the water level will be closer to normal next year and I can figure something out then.

[edlee]

My nephew, a T-6, complete in North Carolina, has a pontoon boat ,too.

He fishes from it nearly every day, or so he tells me. I haven't had the opportunity to go down to see him since he got it.

It was not in the greatest of condition for some time when my brother and his wife and son went down for two weeks last summer , and refurbished it.

Among the things they added was a hoist built from pipe, welded into a tee. The bottom of the tee fit inside a slightly larger pipe that was securely fastened to the deck of the boat. They used a winch ( for an atv) and pulleys for the actual lifting device. The atv winch comes with a weather proof control lanyard allowing one hand operation. The tee rotates by muclepower in the base pipe.

It cost them less than $100 not counting the welding which was done by a friendly neighbor.

Apparantly, it works pretty well as last year he used it to hoist in a deer he shot from the boat before his hunting buddy got back. This year, when my nephew went down to visit, they used it to get him onto and off of a jetski.

I hope you get some ideas from this.
ed

[jimwa]

Look at surehands.com They have a lift for in/out of a pool that might work(the hydraulic one). I have a surehands in the house I've had a couple years and much better in my opinion than any other lift. Can be costly though.

Jim