Anyone ever build their own pontoon?

**NeonMoon** · 12-26-2012, 08:10 PM

I've cut a bit from the quote from CF:

Originally Posted by CatFan

You will want your driving seat to be aft of the center line to avoid plowing water when you are traveling. Your weight will be enough to tilt the whole rig nose down. I'd think the ideal setup would be for you to sit closer to one end than the other, and to push the rig with the TM while just traveling, then spin around and reverse the TM as well and use it to pull the boat for maneuvering when the nose down attitude won't be a problem.

I'd think the trick would be balancing width and elevation of the platform above the water. If the platform is too high, you'll be unstable, but if too low you'll get water on the deck.

I've re-read this entire thread a time or two, just to see how things look, and if there's things that can be changed (and there usually always is). After re-reading CF's post, and been debating with the whole "seat vs centerline" deal. I wondered why I couldn't just shift the entire deck rearward on the floats? Maybe an additional foot, since 2 feet (a foot on each side) of float forward is an additional 100+ pounds flotation shifted forward. Then I could jockey the 2 batteries fore/aft to hit the perfect balance point, ditto with the cooler before recessing them into the deck. As far as that goes, I wouldn't have to mount my seat (and couldn't mount the steering stick just yet), I could set in a lawn chair to find the best spot vs the deck shifted rearward. See how it floats, shift things around, mark/measure them then install everything. I may not want the batteries full to the rear either. I'm sure there's a way to calculate all that stuff, but not in my head

, and shifting a few things around would be the quickest/easiest way.

Originally Posted by Chasing Ghosts

I think I'll set up a time-lapse video capture of my build and build in the back yard. Capture a frame a minute or there about. It would be a live feed >>> here <<< as I would add a second live cam to my weather gear.

I can move my dad's Jon-boat out of the carport to behind the garage and build under the carport.

That'd be pretty cool! Could always throw-up some tarps on the side of the carport and get an early start

**SeaRay** · 12-26-2012, 08:43 PM

Neon,
I been following the Mississippi board for a while and I can tell you if you spend another month down there eating with the locals you need to add another 50 Lbs to your estimated load on the toon. I've seen how them boys eat!!

**Rees Guide** · 12-26-2012, 08:53 PM

Originally Posted by SeaRay

Neon,
I been following the Mississippi board for a while and I can tell you if you spend another month down there eating with the locals you need to add another 50 Lbs to your estimated load on the toon. I've seen how them boys eat!!

We gonna put him on a diet come Jan 1

**NeonMoon** · 12-26-2012, 09:04 PM

RRR- You need to send the ol' gal in that pic a lawn chair

How would you make the float water-tight, but still able to split it apart, or would the "U" part stay intact?

LOL, I hear you SeaRay! Eatin' good is something I've never had a problem doing....not eating "well", just eating good! Good thing I ain't dependent on catching my food to survive, or I'd be gettin' pretty hungry.

**NeonMoon** · 12-26-2012, 09:05 PM

Originally Posted by Rees Guide

We gonna put him on a diet come Jan 1

Wrong-o Buckwheat

**RetiredRR** · 12-26-2012, 09:06 PM

A day late and a dollar short. Should have read all the postings before I did that. The ol lady is my wife.........just kidding

**NeonMoon** · 12-26-2012, 09:29 PM

RRR- It could be done, might have had to seal-off the insides of the pipes where the 45* ells mate at the high point of the bow, then sand them for an easy slip-fit, and just pin them together for assembly. They wouldn't see much water anyway.

I've got big plans for the bus! Always wanted to fish off the back porch

Name: RNHouseboat3.jpg
Views: 2703
Size: 22.9 KB

**Jethro** · 12-27-2012, 08:50 PM

You guys are over thinking this and way too much cipherin' goin on. This guy has the right idea...

Name: redneck-lawnchair-boat.jpg
Views: 7511
Size: 66.1 KB

Just kidding, I'm not making light of your work, I have enjoyed reading along while you plan. Can't wait to see finished products.

**NeonMoon** · 12-28-2012, 07:28 AM

LOL, I think that pic has been used in a post or two lately, but regardless of how many times I see it, I still get a laugh

Looks like the rear of the chair is spanning the floats on a round pipe, I think I'd have at least scrounged-up another piece of scrap lumber. Heck I get made fun of all the time, just goes along with being a Gewber

wouldn't bother me if ya' was

I wanna see the upgraded version with a big fish-finder, spider-rig holders and livewell...and a chase-lounge instead of chair.

**Chasing Ghosts** · 12-28-2012, 09:49 AM

Originally Posted by NeonMoon

***SNIP*** ...Looks like the rear of the chair is spanning the floats on a round pipe... ***SNIP***

Or a broomstick.

Thread: Anyone ever build their own pontoon?

Thread Tools

Display

Posting Permissions