Pontoon boat lifts aren’t typically something that you can buy online. You will need to find a local dealer near to you or buy on the second-hand and used market.

Buying a boat lift blind is not something that I would recommend and given that they can cost upwards of $1,500 all the way up to around $12,000 dollars, you want to make sure that you’re getting just the right lift for you and your pontoon.

Below you can read some advice on what to look when searching for pontoon boat lifts for sale, but before I get into that, I would advise making note of who I believe to be the best manufacturers around.

What Brand of Pontoon Lift Should You Buy?

Some manufacturers specifically design boat lifts just for pontoon boats, meaning you won’t need to make any modifications and adjustments (click here for conversion guidance). If you buy from them, you will have the peace of mind in knowing it’s going to work.

The brands that I recommend, who also come with long warranties and great customer service include in alphabetical order:

  • Hewitt Manufacturing
  • Pier Pleasure
  • Porta-Dock
  • ShoreMaster
  • ShoreStation

To find out more about these manufacturers, please take a look at my pontoon lift reviews page which goes into more detail on each brand.

Pontoon Boat Lift Buyer’s Guide

Whether you are buying form new or second-hand, you need to select a boat lift that can accommodate the environment in which you use your pontoon, including the bottom surfaces.

#1: Research the Manufacturer

I’ve already done some of the hard work for you with my reviews section, but with any high price item, you should do your homework into the brand before you even considering buying something on sale.

Take a look to see what other pontoon owners are saying, in particular do a search on Google for the boat lift model name reviews.

#2: Research the Dealer and Installer

The manufacturers have close relationships with dealers across the United States, who are also the guys who will install the lift for you.

Whilst the manufacturer might have rave reviews online, the actual dealer and installer have a completely different reputation.

Don’t be afraid to shop around, and even insist that a different installation company performs the fitting if you don’t like what you find.

#3: Insist on a Long-Term Warranty

Pontoon boat lifts are prone to error due to the way in which they are constructed. But, there are some manufacturers who are so confident in their products that they will offer extremely long-term warranties.

ShoreMaster is one such company, offering 15 year warranties and guarantees on their pontoon lifts.

Whilst that might sound exceptional, most lift manufacturers will offer similar lengths on their pontoon lifts.

If buying from new, don’t accept anything less than a 10-year warranty. Anything lower than that would mean I would start to ask questions over the quality and reliably of the product.

#4: Decide Whether to Have Manual or Electric

Most of the new pontoon boat lifts for sale will now use an electric winching system. Electric lifts are way easier to use, but you will need to have a reliable and safe power source if you decide to choose this type.

Electric pontoon lifts are going to be far easier to operate, but with electrics you will have parts that are going to be more prone to failure, needing repairs and fixes.

The alternative option is the manual ones which are operated via a spinner wheel.

#5: Make Sure You Get the Right Size

It sounds so obvious, but if you get it wrong it’s an expensive mistake that’s going involve a lot of hassle with the dealer and installer.

Measure up your pontoon’s length and weight, and don’t just take the boat’s manufacturer spec for granted as they can be notoriously incorrect.

Once you know the size and weight of your pontoon boat, you can select the right spec for the lift. It’s always going to be better to be a little over with your measurements than getting it under-sized!

#6: Are You in Fresh or Salt Water?

The type of water that your boat sits in will also be a deciding factor on which pontoon lift you decide to buy.

In a salt water environment, stainless steel fittings and framework is going to be best, as it won’t corrode as much as other metal types.

No matter what water environment you are in, I would always opt for stainless steel if you can afford it. It’s going to last a lot longer, and the cables, pulleys, and metal framework will stand up much better over time.

#7: Decide on Cradle Type & Sling Type

Many pontoon boat lifts for sale will come with cradle bunks, but they are not always adjustable. I would always opt for adjustable ones as you are then future proofing yourself in case you ever get a different boat type and shape in the future.

For those pontooners taking off from a shallow water area, I would opt for a sling design over a cradle. The flexible sling will lay flat in the frame and let you dock your pontoon boat as long as it’s floating.

#8: Check the Mechanisms

This is particularly important when buying used pontoon boat lifts.

If it’s an old lift, aspects such as the ball-bearing pulleys could be worn down and close to not working at all due to heavy usage.

If the pulleys are turning easily, that will tell you that there is no friction there, and it’s the friction that can lead to damage, then failure of the lift.

#9: Maintenance of Your Pontoon Lift

And finally, once you are the happy owner of a pontoon boat lift, it pays massively to keep it as well maintained as you possibly can.

The better care you take of it, the longer it will last, and you will also keep a lot of the re-sale value should you decide to sell it in the future.

Just treat it like you would your trailer and pontoon, giving it a clean down after each use. That will help to prevent debris, slime, algae, and other dirt becoming stuck on fast.

With the cabling you should lubricate them every month or so, as that will also help to stop any friction damage occurring.

Those pontooners boating in a salt water area need to be even more on top of maintenance.

What About Hydro-Pneumatic Boat Lifts?

You might also have seen hydro-pneumatic boat lifts available on sale to buy. With these ones there are some additional tips you should consider when thinking about buying, which I have listed below.

  • Tanks: Choose a lift where the tanks let you attach hardware above the waterline. Doing so will keep it lasting longer, as the chance of corrosion will be reduced.
  • Pumps: Choose a lift which uses a low-pressure and high-volume air pump. Doing so will let you raise and lower your boat a lot faster and more easily.
  • Water Depth: If you’re in shallow water or are going to be lifting underneath a roof, you should choose a lift with floats that are broader and shorter.
  • Weather: If your pontoon is docked a rough water area, you will have to spend more on certain features. In calmer waters you can do without certain items.
  • Lift Type: Pontoon boats need a special type of lift that is designed for multihulls rather than standard lifts for v-shaped hull boats.

How Much Should You Expect to Pay?

Boat lift prices on sale will vary drastically dependent on type, age, and features. Below are some example prices taken from a selection of the leading manufacturers.

You can find out more about pontoon lift prices by clicking here if you want more in-depth details. The prices below are for new boat lifts, and don’t take into account the used or second-hand market. 

Lift TypeDimensionsPrice / Cost
Budgets Cantilever Lifts84 inches wide x 19 feet long$1,555
96 inches wide x 21 foot feet long$2,005
Budget Vertical Lifts114 inches wide x 23 foot feet long$2,280
114 inches wide x 26 foot feet long$3,197
120 inches wide x 23 foot feet long$3,290
120 inches wide x 26 foot feet long$3,940
Shoremaster Premium LiftsVarious sizes$6,000 to $12,000

Conclusion

I hope that you have found this pontoon boat lift buyer’s guide useful, and it helps you in your current quest in deciding what to buy given the huge range currently on sale near you and across the United States.

When I looked into pontoon boat lifts for sale near me, there was one common trait that I found with the dealers.

It was that they were all so incredibly helpful, and eager to explain exactly what was needed.

There really was no question that they could not answer and didn’t make me feel stupid for asking questions that they had probably heard a hundred times before.

They understand that this is an area where people tend to have limited knowledge, so you should be in a great position when you visit a dealership, and don’t be afraid to ask what you think might be obvious questions.