Winter Storage - On The Ground?

[phipps]

I am thinking of storing my NTU pontoon boat at the house this winter rather than paying a marina store it. My concern is that since I don't have a trailer so I will have to either rent one or borrow one to get it home. Once I do get it home, what is the best way to store it? Will it hurt to sit it directly on the ground or should I store it up off the ground on something?

 

[rrhodes]

Re: Winter Storage - On The Ground?

http://www.pontoonstuff.com/pontoon-boat/467-toon-jack-pontoon-storage-blocks.asp

 

[phipps]

Re: Winter Storage - On The Ground?

Is it safe to walk on the boat when it is on those blocks?

 

[ne7800]

Re: Winter Storage - On The Ground?

4 cement blocks with a piece of 2x4 with a notch cut in each one chances are you pobabaly have these things around already

 

[chrisg]

Re: Winter Storage - On The Ground?

Warning- I read on another thread that if you don't put these blocks in the correct locations under the pontoons, they will buckle and become damaged as they are hollow. I think someone said you have to place the blocks under the welds. check before you do this!!!

 

[phipps]

Re: Winter Storage - On The Ground?

4 cement blocks with a piece of 2x4 with a notch cut in each one chances are you pobabaly have these things around already

Where are you notching the 2x4's? Do you happen to have a picture?

 

[phipps]

Re: Winter Storage - On The Ground?

Warning- I read on another thread that if you don't put these blocks in the correct locations under the pontoons, they will buckle and become damaged as they are hollow. I think someone said you have to place the blocks under the welds. check before you do this!!!

I am aware of that. The guy we bought the boat off of said that if we placed it on blocks to make sure we placed the block under the welds. That's why I was wondering if maybe it would be better to just set it on the ground.

 

[rrhodes]

Re: Winter Storage - On The Ground?

I don't think it would hurt the logs to sit on the ground as long as it is level but I would feel better having it on blocks. I also know a guy that uses dense foam blocks about 4' long, 3 under each log but I am not sure where he got them.

 

[The_Kid]

Re: Winter Storage - On The Ground?

I store my 24' pontoon on four pieces of dense foam every year. One close to the stern, and one a foot or so back from the taper at the bow.

They measure about 24" long, 15" wide and 12" high. The pontoons sit on the 24" part. The welds do not sit over the foam, and the pontoons have never dented or collapsed, even with me walking around the deck. I've been doing it this way for more than 10 years without a problem.

 

[phipps]

Re: Winter Storage - On The Ground?

I suspect that the 24" length of the foam distributes the weight. I like the idea of the foam rather than a cement block or wood. Where did you get the foam at?

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Winter Storage - On The Ground?

a lot of people who have davits or their dock for their boats use the dense foam.

 

[The_Kid]

Re: Winter Storage - On The Ground?

I suspect that the 24" length of the foam distributes the weight. I like the idea of the foam rather than a cement block or wood. Where did you get the foam at?

At Lake of the Ozarks a lot of docks used to use foam to float the docks. After a storm big chunks would float into the cove, I'd grab them and cut them to size.

 

[rrhodes]

Re: Winter Storage - On The Ground?

Call around to building suppliers and ask for Styrofoam Buoyancy Billets for floating docks. Many times you can find some damaged ones and get a deal. You can order them online for about $120 for a 8'

 

[mdav]

Re: Winter Storage - On The Ground?

Does anyone know of a way to store your pontoon on the ground high enough to use a normal trailer to back under it again in the spring without having to pay a marina to use one of those tilt trailers that lifts it off the ground? I don't have a trailer but have plenty of friends I could borrow but none of them have the capability to lift the pontoon off the ground where I store it for the winter.

 

[rogerwa]

Re: Winter Storage - On The Ground?

I store mine using concrete blocks as a foundation, I use a 2x8x18 laid flat on the block topped by a square of dense foam insulation (pink stuff). I choose to use two points on each side so there is to teeter totter effect from a third in the center. I have no damage and it is high enough to easily get the trailer underneath. I also store stuff underneath as it will be out of the snow and mostly shielded from external things.

 

[MH Hawker]

Re: Winter Storage - On The Ground?

Around here most use old tires.

 

[Jeep Man]

Re: Winter Storage - On The Ground?

Another point to consider is WHERE you park it. My former neighbor parked his customized '39 Plymouth beside his house and covered it, only to have a huge chunk of ice break away from his eave and put a sizable dent in the car. Keep away from buildings and large trees

 

[Lurch77]

Re: Winter Storage - On The Ground?

Around here most use old tires.

That's the ticket. And they are free at any recycle center.

 

[Silver Eagle]

Re: Winter Storage - On The Ground?

Call your local marina, Tell them your problem, Maybe they can haul your boat out and store it for a fee. This way if they screw up it's on them , Not you.

 

[Lurch77]

Re: Winter Storage - On The Ground?

He said in the first sentence that he is considering NOT having a marina to do it this year.