slobodan
New Member
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!
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!