www.iFourWinns.com

So basically my previous summer consisted of up to 20 friends getting a spot on shore, me bringing the boat, and a few friends bring their pwc's. It was always a blast...I could just anchor a few feet offshore and get off the boat, drink beer, relax, etc. But those are probably over...my best friend calls me today with news that he bought a 24ft pontoon boat. I am always happy to have another boater and we start talking about all we're gonna do with it and how much fun this summers gonna be. Than it hit me...and I could hear the sound of the aluminum sides of his boat etching its signature into my hull...and realize this is gonna suck. So my question is...whats the best way to dock with a pontoon? I plan to buy a shat load more bumpers but dont want to worry about them sliding away and exposing my boat to the toons. Are there any special kind of bumpers I could use for this...or he could get for the pontoon boat? Man this sux

_________________
2007 Four Winns 220SS (Sold!!)
2006 Toyota Tacoma

It isn't as bad as you think, so long as you are a bit blocked from boat wake/waves. I tie up with my dad all the time, and he has a 27' pontoon. It sucks a bit when it gets rough in a cover we tie up in together, but I've never had a problem by using just 3 large bumpers. One gets tied to my stern cleat, one to the cleat at midship, and he ties another to his boat in between those two.

If you're going to be anchoring up where there is significant chop, you might look into one of those things that is basically a mat that is 5 feet long or so. Get a few of them to give you a significant amount of length. Put them on his gunnel, then put some bumpers in between your hull and the mats. I would think it would work out just fine that way.

_________________
Paul
2007 Four Winns Horizon 220
Mercruiser 350 Mag MPI w/ Bravo III Drive
2004 Ford Explorer Limited (V8-AWD)
Pomme de Terre Lake (Southwest Missouri)

3 8" big "b"s is what I would use.

_________________

Agree, lots of bumpers or perhaps some of those large flat pad "dock protectors"

WARNING: Be mindful of the decals on your SS. extended time tied up can rub through them.
My buddy stayed tied up next to my Baja with his Cigarette, and his all important "#1 racing" decal had a blank strip down the middle.

_________________

H210SS 6.2
F150 Platinum

Thanks for the decal warning...I didnt even think about that.

Im sure we'll experience being tied up in both choppy and smooth waters. Im liking the idea of hanging the mats on his boat to cover the toons or any other metal sticking out than a bumnper tied to each cleat and maybe one to the tower. I can't be too careful

_________________
2007 Four Winns 220SS (Sold!!)
2006 Toyota Tacoma

You're going to willingly be seen rafted up with a CAN BOTE? What's next, a rag-bagger?

_________________
-Bill Kearney, 2005 348 Vista

Never had one but something like this seems as though it should work well . . . .

http://www.hullhugr.com/product.html

Folds up too so maybe it could serve as your throw over flotation.
Nice that you haven't forgotton the little guys now that you are runnin an SS

_________________
2008 Four Winns 210 5.7 GI/SX
2007 GMC Sierra 2500 Crew
1966 Fed-Up Wife

Well this CAN BOTE will be sporting a flat screen, a grill, and a stereo that will probably make most home stereos quiver. And a generator for recharging battereis and running the TV. My buddy is big into A/V customization so I'm sure the toon will be set up pretty ridiculously

_________________
2007 Four Winns 220SS (Sold!!)
2006 Toyota Tacoma

Try something like the big hull hugr fenders by Kwik Tek

http://www.boatersworld.com/product/366981439msk.htm

_________________

2008 318 Vista -SOLD, but I am still around!
All Night Long, Seattle WA

The Hull Hugr is exactly what I was talking about, just couldn't remember the name. They come in different lengths. Get the most length you can.

_________________
Paul
2007 Four Winns Horizon 220
Mercruiser 350 Mag MPI w/ Bravo III Drive
2004 Ford Explorer Limited (V8-AWD)
Pomme de Terre Lake (Southwest Missouri)

Hull huggers SUCK. They flatten when you put pressure on them. They might work if you tie to a dock or one boat. If you have any sort of a tie-up they do nothing. I've seen so much pressure this day that I saw an 8" fender explode!!

_________________

Hull hugger's are not what you need for toon raft ups. By a couple Ball fenders, and put out as many other fenders as you can, it won't be bad at all. Toon's do not rock as much as a V-hull. I would be more worried about your boat hitting his than his hitting and damaging yours.

_________________
One of 4 Previous (Sold) Boats:
2000 Four Winns 268 Vista

Current Boat: 2004 Chaparral 235 ssi cuddy

Holy Cr@p Txjole2! We would never see that kind of turnout here. Soooo . . . how do you get out when you're in the middle & all done:?:

_________________
2008 Four Winns 210 5.7 GI/SX
2007 GMC Sierra 2500 Crew
1966 Fed-Up Wife

Depends on what time you want to leave. That pic was taken pretty early that Sunday it got better. With that many boats there is noway to pull the line back together if you untie one boat, too much force. If its around 100 boats you can untie and throw a long rope to the next boat and pull the line back in shape. Party cove has a set of unwritten rules, mess up and no one will let you tie-up. I'm lucky I ride with a cove legend that taught me the does and don't.

_________________

Gotta love the Lewisville party cove

_________________
2007 Four Winns 220SS (Sold!!)
2006 Toyota Tacoma