Free/cheap plans

[metriccrescentwrench]

I need another project or I'm going to go crazy, so I'm thinking I'm going to build a boat to use on the lake/pond behind our house. I'm thinking along the lines of a small pontoon, but am totally open to other ideas. It can't have a gas engine, and it's going to have to be transported down to the water in manageable subsections and and assembled there. If anyone can point me to free (or inexpensive) plans (or even a photo of something similar) you'll be helping my marriage and keeping me out of my wife's hair for the next few months.

 

[Scott Danforth]

I would look around for a small 14' pontoon with a rotten deck. you can get them near free. have the M-brackets re-welded and add small mounts to the back of each log for an electric motor behind each log.

as far as free, dont think there are any plans out there. most decent plans are fairly inexpensive. Here is a link to a pontoon plan. http://www.bateau.com/proddetail.php?prod=PC20#.VgGLw5fxuu8

here is a link to free boat plans, none of them pontoons.http://www.diy-wood-boat.com/free-boat-plans.html

 

[GA_Boater]

Free Pontoon Plans

 

[Woodonglass]

'I got NO PLANS but...When I was In my 30's I built a 10' "Tear Down" pontoon for me and my son to fish local ponds and small lakes. It was powered by a 36 pound thrust trolling motor and had PVC Base Swivel Seats I Winged it on the Plans and it turned out Great. Patterned it off the Two man Pontoons you see advertised for almost $1,500 bucks. I made it from 1/4" plywood and the Big box store Resin and glass. I cut the profiles for the pontoons from 1/4" plywood and then used 3/4"x3/4" cleats to outline the patterns. Used Deck screws and Liquid nails to put everything together. Sealed the wood with the Old Timers Recipe and then Glassed the Seams on the outside then painted it with several coats of Rustoleum Made the deck from 2 2x4's of Doug. Fir and a sheet of 3/4" ext. Grade Plywood. Cut the plywood in 2 ft sections and hinged them like a bifold door. Used the old Grass Turf to cover it with. It all folded up and fit in the back of my Nissan Pick up. I could set it up in less than 10 minutes 4' x 10' platform. Toon's were 18" deep 16" wide and sloped on both ends. Total costs was less than $300 bucks excluding the Battery and Motor. My son LOVED it. I Still used the same bases for my fishing seats today. I'd be happy to try and draw up some rough sketches to help you attempt to build one if you want. It was real easy to do in a couple of weekends and it lasted for over 10 years. I gave it to my B.I.L and he used it for several years after we were done with it on his pond. He left it out in the elements exposed and it finally rotted away but it did take a while. He was amazed at how long it lasted. The turf was the first to go but the Old Timers really kept the wood from rotting for a long time. This is basic design of the side profile of the pontoon. They're actually only 9'6" long to account for the curve.
Send me a PM if you want to talk about it further and I'll send you my Personal Contact info so we can talk offline to discuss further.

Mine looks very similar to this...

 

[Tenzero1]

Try this, it looks like a fun concept.

 

[GA_Boater]

Found one more - Portable Boat Plans

 

[Woodonglass]

Well I Lied!!! I checked my Library and I found these Old Plans for a 12 ft Pontoon boat. I forgot I had em... Found these a few years back wish I woulda kept the URL but I didn't and now I can't find the source online. This Might be a bit more than you want but here they are anywhooooo!!!!

Additional info about my little pontoon...I was about 240# at the time and it floated me just fine with the battery and all my gear and a full ice chest. I didn't put any foam in the toons but I would this time if I did it again. I'd just use the blue slab stuff from the big box stores or Maybe not I guess it's up to you. Since it's on small ponds etc. it's your call. Mine never leak a drop and I never had any issues. It was abused somewhat . I did but a 3/4" "Keel" board on the toons and put 2-3 layers of glass over it to take some of the abuse and that really helped alot.

 

[jbcurt00]

Found one more - Portable Boat Plans[/URL]

Thats Ken Simpson's site and where I got the plans to build my knock down canoe/kayak.

He has plans for using lauan, coraplast (plastic cardboard used to make yard signs) and rigid foam.

Low cost, ease of portability are all part of his plans. He'd probably help you design one, modify one of his existing plans or design 1 to suit you if you asked...

Nice fella.

Take a look at some of his construction methods. No matter where you get a plan, his methods may help you make it a low cost build.

Good luck