Just picked up my first project

[1983 ercoa 21']

Re: Just picked up my first project

Looks like it should work . Good luck with your project and keep us updated

 

[BOWMAKER1]

Re: Just picked up my first project

I have a 24ft Fisher fishing barge, and it has the livewell in the front left corner and a like sized storage compartment on the other side. I added a 24 volt MinKota PD2 in the gate way at the front and rigged the storage compartment to hold 2 deep cycle batteries. Even with the well almost full it keeps things pretty well balanced and doesn't seem to over load the bow unless there are people setting in the front 2 fishing chairs. There are cup holders and rod holders in the top of each compartment and I use the lids to set things on like pliers or tackle or bait. We have a sink that is all one peice with the console and I think it is a waste of space, at least for us. My livewell is no where near 4ft long, but it is about 2 1/2 ft deep and I would guess it holds about 25 gallons or so. If I remember to cycle the pump and the water is not super hot it will keep 40 or 50 crappies in good shape for several hours.
Your plans need to include some kind of trolling motor and I would highly recomend the PD2 pontoon version and if you drift or troll much and are going to have the cabin go with the 24 volt 68 pound thrust modle. It really helps you control and use the wind because those hard walls on the cabin will really act like a sail and push you all over. I have found that just having the bimini top up really changes the handling with just a little breeze. Also if you get the unit with co-pilot or I-pilot remote you can run that trolling motor from any where on the boat with out a bunch of cords all over the deck. I didn't do that but will be adding the co-pilot this spring.

 

[Cuda K5]

Re: Just picked up my first project

I don't troll at all so there will be no need for a trolling motor

 

[MH Hawker]

Re: Just picked up my first project

If your planning on adding a cabin then I would add the center log just because of the extra weight and its easier to add a larger motor especially as you need a transom. think of buying one off a ways as a excuse for a weekend road trip, i have done it several times with the wife, drive out, have a nice dinner grab a room do the pick up the next day and drive home. A U haul trailer is about 20 a weekend.

 

[fishrdan]

Re: Just picked up my first project

I see tubes for sale over in Lake Havasu every once in a while on craigslist....

 

[Jim Hawkins]

Re: Just picked up my first project

Looks like fun, I'm working on a pontoon project myself. For a small cabin like that you won't need a third toon if you build light. Some folks use these 3" insulated aluminum panels for walls and roof.

Crest Aluminum Products Co, Inc Insulated Roof and Deck Panels

I use them myself building screen porches.

I think the transom pod is a good way to go. I just picked one like that up from a craigslist ad.

How do you plan to build walls and roof?

What about a head?

 

[Cuda K5]

Re: Just picked up my first project

If your planning on adding a cabin then I would add the center log just because of the extra weight and its easier to add a larger motor especially as you need a transom. think of buying one off a ways as a excuse for a weekend road trip, i have done it several times with the wife, drive out, have a nice dinner grab a room do the pick up the next day and drive home. A U haul trailer is about 20 a weekend.

I do have a trailer i can pick one up with already. I have been checking out California, Nevada, Utah, Colorado, New Mexico and even West Texas for logs and there really isnt anything coming up. Ercoa gave me a good tip on a guy in Missouri and I would rather pay for freight than drive there lol.

I see tubes for sale over in Lake Havasu every once in a while on craigslist....

I have been keeping a close eye on the whole Colorado River area from Yuma to Powell

Looks like fun, I'm working on a pontoon project myself. For a small cabin like that you won't need a third toon if you build light. Some folks use these 3" insulated aluminum panels for walls and roof.

Crest Aluminum Products Co, Inc Insulated Roof and Deck Panels

I use them myself building screen porches.

I think the transom pod is a good way to go. I just picked one like that up from a craigslist ad.

How do you plan to build walls and roof?

What about a head?

I was plannin on just using 1.25" aluminuim frame with as thin as possible sheet aluminuim riveted and sealed onto the frame outside. inside will be polystyrene foam 1.25" insulation and FRP to make it look a little nicer. I still have some research to do though

 

[Cuda K5]

Re: Just picked up my first project

well I did just come across this......

1980 Pontoon Boat

i could steal one log, the transom, motor, and controls. Plus I have been wanting to go to the Colorado River for a while now

 

[1983 ercoa 21']

Re: Just picked up my first project

Do some research on the toons before buying. Think you already heard someone mention the foam filled logs if they do get water in them over time the foam soak's up the water becoming very heavy. The next thing I noticed is the pontoon your looking at has painted toons and that is ok if it not a epoxy paint or primer. Reason being is everything I have read it's near impossible to weld to. Personally I don't have any experience with this .
I have heard mention of removing the epoxy and welding to it but it's a chore and tricky to do so . I warn you about epoxy because if adding third toon you will be welding a transom on it. The boat looks like a deal even supplying a motor

 

[1983 ercoa 21']

Re: Just picked up my first project

There is another method of adding the third toon that's not as effective and tricky to get dialed in . You can add a third toon to in front of the transom. The draw back is it does not add much lift load capacity to the rear of the toon where they sit low at .in your case where your not looking for performance and are centering your load it might work great for you.

 

[Cuda K5]

Re: Just picked up my first project

There is another method of adding the third toon that's not as effective and tricky to get dialed in . You can add a third toon to in front of the transom. The draw back is it does not add much lift load capacity to the rear of the toon where they sit low at .in your case where your not looking for performance and are centering your load it might work great for you.

that is how i was thinking about mounting it if i dont just order a whole center log/transom

 

[1983 ercoa 21']

Re: Just picked up my first project

I sent you a pm containing numbers

 

[Cuda K5]

Re: Just picked up my first project

Here is another i came across, but i have a feeling there is no trailer

1986 Pontoon Boat

 

[1983 ercoa 21']

Re: Just picked up my first project

The build up of growth strongly suggests it lives on the lake and under the growth could be alot of problems other than getting the growth off.

 

[Cuda K5]

Re: Just picked up my first project

well I just got a message from a friend on my local fishing forum. He has 2 transoms and 2 motors I can choose from! hoping to go and get that picked up and get the boat started in the next month