Cutting a pontoon down a couple feet

[captmello]

I've been considering adding a third toon to my boat. I've run across a used pontoon that would work perfectly if it were two feet shorter.

the seller is asking 600 for a used 20', 25" tube. It matches my other logs exactly, except mine are 23", and of course, 24'.

Anyone know how much it would cost to have a welder shorten the tube by a foot or two? would it be cost effective to buy the longer toon and have it shortened?

 

[richard.prince]

Re: Cutting a pontoon down a couple feet

I must be missing something your original toons are 24' and the new one is 20' where is the problem?

 

[Mi duckdown]

Re: Cutting a pontoon down a couple feet

Why?

 

[captmello]

Re: Cutting a pontoon down a couple feet

I must be missing something your original toons are 24' and the new one is 20' where is the problem?

My motor pod extends about 4.5 feet from the rear of the boat, and the 20' log will not fit in front of the pod. My understanding is that the center toon needs to be about a foot in front of the motor pod to avoid cavitation issues.

 

[captmello]

Re: Cutting a pontoon down a couple feet

Why?

I boat on a large lake and could use the extra buoyancy for boating in the choppy water. Originally I had hoped the 20' log would simply bolt up, but its too long. I am also looking for a little better performance and handling for tubing. I've read here that the center toon can help with these as well.

Frankly, for $600, it seemed like a cheap upgrade,

So, now that I need a shorter log, I'm wondering what it might cost to have one cut down and welded back together.

 

[richard.prince]

Re: Cutting a pontoon down a couple feet

My understanding is that the center toon needs to be about a foot in front of the motor pod to avoid cavitation issues.

That is what i did not know but it does make sense

 

[muskiemike12]

Re: Cutting a pontoon down a couple feet

What about cutting back the motor pod?

 

[captmello]

Re: Cutting a pontoon down a couple feet

I own a welding shop and I can weld any kind of metal including aluminum. . . Welding aluminum is where the money is!

I can tell you that it will "cost a lot"! . . . They will have to cut the toon, then grind and clean it up so it can be welded back!.. That's what will take so long, The prep work before welding it back together!

If you do this, Make sure you let someone that has a lot of experience "with aluminum" do the work! . . . I would try and find someone who "only welds aluminum"! . . One bad weld and you have a leak!

IMHO!

Thanks for the response. I figured it was kind of a specialized job. How much would you estimate this job would cost in your shop? $300? $1000?

It sounds like I need to just find a shorter log, or forget about the third toon...

 

[captmello]

Re: Cutting a pontoon down a couple feet

What about cutting back the motor pod?

I don't see how that would be a better option. removing the motor, then the pod, then having the pod modified seems like it would be more work. However, At least the pod doesn't have to be water tight...

I am just trying to get an idea of the cost to do the modification to the 20' log. I really need a 19 footer...but an 18 would work.

 

[crb478]

Re: Cutting a pontoon down a couple feet

you might check to see if you could find a shorter motor pod. I have seen 5 foot ones and I have seen 3 foot ones. Sometimes I see them for sale around 100.00. You could also look to see if your pod could be slid back some.

 

[oldjeep]

Re: Cutting a pontoon down a couple feet

There are enough rotting old pontoon boats sitting around where you live, I'd just keep an eye out for one the right size.

 

[captmello]

Re: Cutting a pontoon down a couple feet

you might check to see if you could find a shorter motor pod. I have seen 5 foot ones and I have seen 3 foot ones. Sometimes I see them for sale around 100.00. You could also look to see if your pod could be slid back some.

The pod needs to be 48"+ so that it can bolt to the 24" o.c. cross members. In fact the pod has an additional extention off the front that goes another 24" past, so the whole pod is actually about 6 ft long. However, the extention off the pod will fit above the tube because its just an aluminum angle iron type support. This way the pod bolts to the boat in more places. Because of this, the pod can't be slid back either, at least not without modification.

 

[captmello]

Re: Cutting a pontoon down a couple feet

There are enough rotting old pontoon boats sitting around where you live, I'd just keep an eye out for one the right size.

I think this is what I'll have to do. I've got to save some money anyway to rebuild the tranny on my ZJ.

 

[oldjeep]

Re: Cutting a pontoon down a couple feet

I think this is what I'll have to do. I've got to save some money anyway to rebuild the tranny on my ZJ.

Funny, I'm going to have to do the one in my kids 98 this summer too.

 

[glenn property of pam]

Re: Cutting a pontoon down a couple feet

if you can find a shop with a ridge roller then its a 4-5hr job. By ridge rolling one cut end it will fit inside the other giving surport and making the welding easier and stronger. most of the cost is the cleaning before welding so if its a used pontoon then it could take even longer. Only way to tell is to phone around and get a quote.

 

[steelespike]

Re: Cutting a pontoon down a couple feet

Is there a problem pushing the tube forward a foot or so?
How does the $600 compare to a "sliders" cost thats intended to be a third toon.

 

[captmello]

Re: Cutting a pontoon down a couple feet

Funny, I'm going to have to do the one in my kids 98 this summer too.

1699 was the quote I received.

 

[captmello]

Re: Cutting a pontoon down a couple feet

Is there a problem pushing the tube forward a foot or so?
How does the $600 compare to a "sliders" cost thats intended to be a third toon.

can't go forward without throwing off the bolting points. I'd have to go 2 feet, or do a bunch of mods.

"Slider"? is that a techinical term? One with the motor mount attached?? I may consider that, but I'm thinking brand new will kill the deal. The 20 footer was so close...I have to admit I thought it was a no brainer. The logs for sale looked exactly like mine, brackets and all, would have matched perfect. I fell in love with the idea before I could get out to measure my boat.:grumpy:

 

[captmello]

Re: Cutting a pontoon down a couple feet

I've never cut one down and welded it back together, So I really don't know what I would charge.

But, I know it would cost more than what you would pay for the used toon if you took it to a shop that welds aluminum.

Aluminum has to be "super clean" before welding. . . You have to use a stainless steel brush to clean the aluminum, and use acetone to clean it up before it can be welded. . . Like I said, The prep work is what will take so long.

Sorry I can't offer much more help!


If you could find a shorter toon that would fit "without" having to be cut, Then you could add the 3RD toon.

Thanks you for your professional insight.

 

[oldjeep]

Re: Cutting a pontoon down a couple feet

1699 was the quote I received.

I do autos myself. Costs around $250 in parts.