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First time Pontoon owner

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slobodan

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Ocean Pines, Maryland
Mayday from Annapolis!

Just purchased my brand new Bennington 2275GL at the boat show. Boat will be in Ocean City, MD in salty bay waters. I do NOT have a boat lift at my property nor do I own a trailer.

So, decision time how to protect my boat. I've been reading so much about boat lifts (galvanized steel vs. aluminum) and I got a headache. The required maintenance, needing to totally disconnect electric power, needing to rinse all lift parts that are submerged in water after each use, the expense of buying and installing one is $10k plus. The alternative is to get a trailer and protect pontoons. I studied Bennington website and nowhere did I find any info on metal they use in their toons. I hope it is aluminum marine grade. Nor did I find any info on their website how to paint and protect pontoons in salty water. I find this somewhat disapointing.

Question to those long time boaters in salty waters. What is a newbie to do? If I go for a boat lift I am leaning towards galvanized hot-dipped steel. The system has been around for 50+ years and still in use, so it must be good. But, if I forgo the lift and decide to paint / protect my pontoons instead I am clueless what is the best way to do this. What should I apply on toons and how often? If I go this route can I keep the boat in water full season and do whatever is required when I pull the boat out at the end of the season? Pontoons have not been in water yet, the boat is still at the dealer in factory wrapping. So, this is the best time to make right decision.

Please help, thanks! :(
 
I'm leaving mine in the water... Can't get a lift where I'm at... So they are painting my toons.. I hear it's a full 2 day process. ... I will pull it out maybe 4-5 times this year to power wash it and then put it back in ,, 10,000.00 seems steep for a lift,, you can get sealegs for half that or get it painted for about 1200.00... Make sure they use a good paint and the full service of sand prep and paint it
 
Sacrificial Anode.
 
Thanks on your replies.

Which type sacrificial anodes should I use, made of magnesium or zinc? And what type of anti-fouling paint would you recommend?

The lift price estimate includes $1.5K for 4 pilings, plus government tax ($1k in local permits plus $750 to MD Dept for Environment). That is about $3,250, the rest is for 10,000 lbs lift and installation.

Slobodan
 
Oh, I couldn't say offhand...

I don't know enough about what products are available because I'm on a fresh water lake and it really isn't an issue. I've just known about them for years. Heck, come to think of it, there's even an electronic version for cars that basically just applies a charge to the car that comes directly out of a control box hooked to the battery. Jegs & Summit probably sell it, but for a boat, I'd go with a product MADE for a boat.

BUT!

Your marina can steer you to the best products for your particular situation.

And, here's a little reading material:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Galvanic_anode

http://www.finishing.com/384/47.shtml

http://www.martyranodes.com/content/martyr-resources/Aluminum%20Anodes.pdf

http://www.defender.com/html/zincs_info.html

http://www.boatus.com/boattech/MarineCorrosion.htm
 
Slobodan:

If your lake or bay will allow lifts, by all means get one. They're quite an investment, but will make your boat last so much longer. You can also get a top on one that will keep your boat out if the wet, and make the carpets and seats last so long.
 
Thanks to both on your comments and the info. My boat will be salty bay waters of Chesapeake. I have appointment with the"lift" guy this weekend. That would be my first choice to go with the lift.

Happy boating this summer to all!
 
Another option would be davits. I will be using them on my new Bennie.

http://davitmaster.com/

I originally had seawall mounts and converted them to piling mounts.

In some cases you can swivel your boat from water to land making it great for service and storage.
 
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