my project pontoon

[josh6780]

http://s19.photobucket.com/albums/b161/josh6780/project pontoon/

I bought it for 1500 from my friends granddad. He basically bought the boat and used it like maybe 10 times in the span of all the years he has had it. Never covered it up. So the engine has only a few hours on it. (its a 90hp) Works just fine. I am just gonna change the impeller. And as you can see the boat got baked over the years it just sat on the dock.

Take a look at those pictures. the boat it not that bad. I just need some advice. This is my first pontoon. The floor is solid. (as far has I know) I guess ill find out when I strip the carpet. It doesnt seem like a big deal to replace the floor if need be. I hope I don't have to though. I need to re carpet obviously. My big question is what can I do about the seats that is not going to cost me a billion dollars. Can I re upholster them? Is there a way to restore the look of the ones that are not torn up? Is there a cheap nice soft carpet I can purchase?

 

[rentprop1]

Re: my project pontoon

http://s19.photobucket.com/albums/b161/josh6780/project pontoon/

My big question is what can I do about the seats that is not going to cost me a billion dollars. Can I re upholster them? Is there a way to restore the look of the ones that are not torn up? Is there a cheap nice soft carpet I can purchase?

since you got the boat cheap, your right on track, spend a little more and do the interior correctly and you will not be sorry in the long run....since you already have pics call around to a few boat upholstery shops, send them the pics and ask for quotes, you can replace any rotten wood when you replace the carpet........head for Home depot or lowes for boat carpet, Henry makes the carpet glue and its good stuff, just expensive

 

[5150abf]

Re: my project pontoon

What year is that?

I worked for Suncruiser from 87-96 so I may have built your tubes, they were very nice boats back then, they are actually pre Bennington boats.

After OMC went under one of the top guys started Bennington and got back together all the best people from Suncruiser, it seems to have worked out pretty well.

You will find the furniture is the most expensive part of the boat after the motor so be prepared for that but you have a very nice starting point and should end up with a really nice boat when you are done.

Good luck.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: my project pontoon

i'm in the process of recovering my seats. it is in much better condition than yours. personally i hate carpet, one day i plan on stripping all the furniture off mine, carpet off, and use a non skid deck coating. go back with minimal furniture, and good patio furniture. so it is moveable.

 

[josh6780]

Re: my project pontoon

I don't know what year it is. Ill find out.

yeah I am not a carpet man myself but I want it to be soft so that's what I'm going to for. Thanks for the advice. I thought about patio furniture but I would like to keep the boat just the way it is if at all possible so I don't' have to mess anything. I would love it if I could just by some upholstery, pull it tight and staple it. I sure its not that easy. ill be keeping my project updated with pics...

Anyone has any other ideas has far has the seats, please let me know.

 

[Silvertip]

Re: my project pontoon

Upholstery work if done by a shop is not cheap either and if you have not done that type of work before this is probably not the project to start with. You don't simply stretch vinyl over the seat and stable it. If you look at corners and some of the pleating that's done you will find there is some sewing that needs to be done as well. I suggest you stop at a large fabric store (it is ok for guys to go int there) and price good quality vinyl. You will find it is not inexpensive. If you paid yourself a buck an hour, you will quickly find doing this work is a labor of love. And by all means do not use cheap vinyl because it will not hold stitching or staples very well and will not last. Good quality vinyl will have a thick strong backing and be soft and supple almost like leather. I certainly don't want to talk you out of doing this yourself but I do warn you that it is not cheap and it is a time consuming job. If you have someone in the family that does a lot of sewing or upholstery work you should be very nice to them.

 

[josh6780]

Re: my project pontoon

ok well im not going to get worked up about it. for now all I need is carpet and shiny toons. patio furniture will work as long as we don't tip over while we are trying to move. im sure with time I can either learn or barter with somone and do this without spending a boat load.

if anyone knows and tips or tricks with upholstery please let me know. or if you have any cool ideas with pontoon set ups since im about to strip the whole deck.

is there a anything I can do with the back seats to soften them and shine them up? since they are not actually ripped I figure I could restore them somewhat.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: my project pontoon

i cover these this morning, they are just the simple wrap like a Christmas present. i had to let the back foam dry all day yesterday. the bottoms, i just covered over the old stuff.

 

[PA FF]

Re: my project pontoon

As for covering the floor, has anyone ever used a spray in bed liner? The bed liner material comes in many colors and would be easy to take care of. I had a price of $400 to do the entire floor. I think it would be easy on the feet and last a life time. Just a suggestion and something I am looking into

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: my project pontoon

i am considering it. also the epoxy garage floor coating. it just has the be UV protected.

 

[josh6780]

Re: my project pontoon

i am considering it. also the epoxy garage floor coating. it just has the be UV protected.

so what material is that you used?

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: my project pontoon

just a good quality vinyl. i bought like 20 yards of it, 6 feet wide, 2 years ago. it was a going out of business sale. i have done several boats with it.

 

[coolguy147]

Re: my project pontoon

i'm in the process of recovering my seats. it is in much better condition than yours. personally i hate carpet, one day i plan on stripping all the furniture off mine, carpet off, and use a non skid deck coating. go back with minimal furniture, and good patio furniture. so it is moveable.

way ahead of u buddy

 

[josh6780]

Re: my project pontoon

so is this good quality for a good price?

http://cgi.ebay.com/SEA-WHITE-MARINE-BOAT-UPHOLSTERY-VINYL-FABRIC-PADDED_W0QQitemZ390034657482QQcmdZViewItemQQptZUS_Fabric?hash=item390034657482&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_trkparms=72%3A1205|66%3A2|65%3A12|39%3A1|240%3A1318|301%3A0|293%3A1|294%3A50

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: my project pontoon

Josh, i do not like to use that backing. especially if you have to sew.

i have bought this several times, and was pleased. ebay # 320345319087

 

[josh6780]

Re: my project pontoon

ok I might try that. The good news is I think I am only going to have to do the flat part thats right above the transom. And then one of the seats in the front. I am just going to chuck the bench seat on the other side cause it takes up to much room anyway.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: my project pontoon

works for me, i bought a toon for space.

 

[samm835]

Re: my project pontoon

Josh,
Looks like you got a good deal on your toon. Here is what I learned this past season on toons. I have a 24ft pontoon, I bought new carpet for it and installed, my total cost 350. You can buy from Home Depot/Lowes, just make sure its UV or it will die out quick. I also added two front bench seats(41inch) brand new from Veada.com. They have the best quality for the price on seats plus free shipping on most stuff. I think I spent for the two bench seats were 480.00. I chose carpet over a rubber floor because my toon was more for family and not fishing, so I went for the nice feel under my feet. Plus also I was thinking the rubber flooring seems like it would get hot in the summer? It took me about 4 hours to get all the rails, seats and other stuff off then the old carpet(huge pain), laying the carpet and glueing was easy and reinstalling all new stuff. I did not take off my steering helm, just for the fact I didn't want to(didn't want to take all the wiring off) and it was easier to cut the carpet around....and noone will ever know. Good louck and let me know if you need anything I can hopefully point you in the right direction from where I went wrong.

 

[josh6780]

Re: my project pontoon

thank you you for your advice. ill keep you posted.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: my project pontoon

the problem i have with a lot of bow seating, is people want to sit there when underway. throwing the boat off balance. making it easy to submarine the bow. it's fine when anchored.