Hoping someone on the board might have a suggestion for me. I have a 13 ft pontoon, approx 120 lb. Currently I have two cross beams on my truck's fiberglass topper . I lean the pontoon against the back of the truck and slide it up and on to the back beam and then push it forward to the front beam. It's a bit of work, harder when the pontoon is rigged for two. Here's my question:

I have seen (somewhere) a system that allows a cartopper to be winched on to the back of an RV. I'm wondering if I could do the same by putting a small winch on the back cross beam and then attaching the cable to the rear part of the pontoon. Turn winch on, it pulls the back forward, front end pivots and falls to the front beam. Basically what I'm doing by hand only have the winch do the work. What do you guys think? Any suggestions? My back needs some relief. PS, buying a flat bed trailer is not an option unless I sell my 15 aluminum boat and I'm not quite willing to do that - yet!

Thanks for your help!

We have tried this very thing and you will have to have a short piece of rope on the front to keep it from tipping backward. Easier for us was to keep a piece of plywood in the truck or some type of a runner for the boat to slide on. Pad the runners with something to protect your rigs paint. With the runners mount a hand winch on the back rail and the you can crank while you are in back being sure that everything is riding alright. Just run your winch line to the front cross member and the to the middle of the front cross member and a small block then back to the front of your boat and it should work great for you every time. This will save more than just you back.

Thanks Sled. I wonder if you might have a picture of the set up?

When I was a kid my neighbor built a system like you're talking about. I know I've seen one for sale somewhere too. I'll see if I can dig up an old photo or add. The thing worked like a charm. My neighbor was old and used two canes to walk, but still loaded a 12 ft Livingston right from the water onto his truck canopy in about two minutes.


Here you go! http://www.eideboatloader.com/

Thanks, that's the unit I was thinking about. My auto mechanic came up with a great idea. Use the rear hitch receiver, make a L shaped attachment with the winch at the top and the bottom plugs into the receiver. Fire it up and the winch pulls the raft up and on to the truck canopy. Should work!