pontoon protection

[trent]

I plan on beaching my pontoon alot, is there any kind of skid plate should be looking into for it

[HandymanHerb]

Well since beach means sand, nothing is needed

[dockholiday]

They make a product called keel guard. Think it is more for the fiberglass runabouts. Like Herb said you probably will be alright if it is sand. I would still go easy in and easy out. Had to replace one of my pontoons last year and they are not cheap.
doc

[jaberwoky123]

ok, I am new to this as well have been out twice so far, we beach on rocks more so than sand, would keel gaurds help in this situation?...i notice some scratches on my pontoons already, always try to ease up on the shore but the small rocks are still rough on it I think

[Bamby]

You really don't want to run you pontoons up on a rocky sandbar if it can be helped especially if the water is rough, it could sit there rocking and the wave action grind holes in against the rocks. It's not a nice prospect for a boat you'd like to retain some it's equity value.

An acquaintance of mine carries a couple of worn out atv tires and sets them down and runs his toons up on them. It sort of works and I'm sure it's better than nothing at all but leaves something to be desired.

There are a few spots where I boat I've avoided because of the rocks. And I've got a idea I'm going to try and see if it's practical or not. I'm going to cut off a couple pieces of belting I've got to about three foot long where they'll stash easily in a seat. I'm going to punch a hole in a corner of each of them and attach a short length of rope on each.

The object then will be ease up close to gravel bar to wading depth, then eject Wife with the belting and she places it where pontoons will ride up on the belting protected from the rocks and gravel. Then take the belting ropes and tie off to front docking cleats, then have good time and drink plenty of resources on sandbar. Get back on boat start motor back away from shore dragging belting along with the boat and after safely from shore walk up front and retrieve the belting back into boat.

I think it should work fine, other ideas anyone???

[HandymanHerb]

Sounds good to me, it's either that or leave it floating a few feet out and anchor the back and tie the front to shore.