Great forum. I'm in the process of looking for a boat lift/shore station for my '06 Bennington 2875 RLX I/O tritoon. According to Bennington the hull weight (minus engine, gas, batteries) is 3,630 lbs. When I add everything in total weight is a bit over 5,000 lbs. It's an inboard/outboard so the center toon widens at the back of the boat (accommodate engine inside) and flattens at the bottom. I'm planning on getting a 7,000 lb+ capacity shorestation.
My question is rails vs bunks.
Rails will "work" because the bottom shape of the center toon won't matter. The trick is the engine and gas tank are in the center toon - engine weighs almost 1,000 lbs (Mercruiser 350 Mag) and the gas tank is 52 gallons so in the ballpark of 300 lbs. Would putting the boat on rails put too much stress on the deck and crossmembers? Center toon would be hanging between the 2 support rails. It's a Bennington so the deck is beefy but it's quite a bit of weight. This set up would be ideal if it works based on my comments below about the challenge with bunks.
Bunk style is tricky too - because the rear pontoon widens in the back and the bottom of the toon flattens, a "V" shaped bunk support would create a problem. The font of the center toon is standard (27" round) while the rear is wide and flat (where engine is located) on the bottom so the "V" would cause the rear of the center toon to rest on top of the V - not good.
Would very much appreciate any input - hope my explanation is clear.
Thanks much
My question is rails vs bunks.
Rails will "work" because the bottom shape of the center toon won't matter. The trick is the engine and gas tank are in the center toon - engine weighs almost 1,000 lbs (Mercruiser 350 Mag) and the gas tank is 52 gallons so in the ballpark of 300 lbs. Would putting the boat on rails put too much stress on the deck and crossmembers? Center toon would be hanging between the 2 support rails. It's a Bennington so the deck is beefy but it's quite a bit of weight. This set up would be ideal if it works based on my comments below about the challenge with bunks.
Bunk style is tricky too - because the rear pontoon widens in the back and the bottom of the toon flattens, a "V" shaped bunk support would create a problem. The font of the center toon is standard (27" round) while the rear is wide and flat (where engine is located) on the bottom so the "V" would cause the rear of the center toon to rest on top of the V - not good.
Would very much appreciate any input - hope my explanation is clear.
Thanks much
Last edited:
