See full version: Trailers for Pontoons
We are occasionally asked if our center lift pontoon trailers will allow you to store your boat in a garage. The usual consideration is the height of the door. You will have to take the overall height of your boat into consideration. These are several variables. The only measurement we can provide you is how low the center lift trailer can be lowered without the frame dragging. 8"-10" clearance so that the trailer fram does not drag. more
DEPTH- Like the height the depth needs extra consideration. Modern pontoons are often longer than their stated size. A 24’ pontoon might be 25’9”length overall. The engine might extend a couple foot behind the length of the boat. [links]
Will my Center Lift Pontoon Trailer with Pontoon Boat fit in my Garage? here
DRIVEWAY PITCH - Check the angle of the driveway in front of the garage. If it is angled up that may throw off your measurements about clearing the overhead door. [links]
Let’s get a little more detailed with this answer. If you are eyeing up a 16’8” bass boat that is 20’1” long on the trailer, stores at a height of 6 feet and a width of 6’8, you will need a garage that is at least 22 feet deep (to handle the length), has a 7+ foot garage door clearance, and is at least 8 feet wide.
1. 2019 Tracker® Bass Tracker® Classic
Length: 16’8
Storage Length w/ trimmed down outboard: 20’1
Height with trailer: 6’
Width with trailer: 6’8 more
5. Length of the Garage (front to back) more
If the boat-trailer is not entirely inside even after using the above ideas, here are other worthwhile options:
While some trailers come with these tongues, you can also install one onto an existing trailer. This will require purchasing a hinge that fits snugly into the width of the tongue and carefully sawing and drilling the tongue to exact measurements. Take special precaution in measuring, marking and drilling the hinge bolt locations on both the main and detached tongues, since you will have only one opportunity to drill these holes correctly.
As a courtesy, don’t forget to review safety tips for safe boating. With this in mind, you can enjoy your vessel when in use and have peace of mind when storing it.
It is no secret that storing your boat indoors will help protect your vessel from the elements and extend its life. However, the boat and the accompanying trailer may prove too long to park inside the garage. When this becomes the case, you could outright rebuild the garage around the dimensions of your water-fairing vessel. Even so, such an overhaul could prove complicated due to costs, property space, the dedication required to complete such a project, permitting issues and even homeowner’s association restrictions. There is no need to despair, though: There are practical and creative options that will help you fit your boat inside your existing garage.
However, do not assume that your boat will fit simply because your garage is diagonally larger than the centerline length of your boat. Be mindful of the shape of the stern and the shape of the trailer at the back, since this will significantly affect the movement of the boat-trailer. The narrower the back of the setup, the more likely the boat will fit. [links]
Figure A The boat-trailer in its initial position (red) and final position (green). The hitch follows the dashed line as the boat-trailer is pushed in. here
These are some common methods to help get the boat inside the garage but you could also use some of your own methods which might work better for you. The aim of all these methods is to make the boat fit in your garage in the best possible way. here
If your boat would fit but you have too much stuff in there already (don’t we all?) then you will have to take some time and money to organize the space. So, below I will go into some of the most practical and creative options to get your garage organized as easily as possible.
The only boats that will have issues fitting are pontoon, houseboats, or other boats that are designed to be taller or considerably larger. The easiest way to know if your boat will fit in your garage is to break out a tape measure and get the dimensions of the garage that you have.
I love the outdoors and especially spending time with my family. Whether on a boat or at the beach, my happy place is near the water.
Before trying to fit in your boat, you should clean and organize your garage. Often that will mean that you have to use some creativity and it could be done by simply trying to optimize your space by moving a few objects or placing them here and there.