Pontoon floor replacement opinions

[River_Lizard]

I contacted Lock Dry to get a sample of their product sent to me because I'm thinking about replacing my current wood deck with this product. http://www.lockdry.com/
Here's my opinion and I'd like to hear what other people think also.

Pros:Lightweight
strong when locked together
Baked on finish with a slight raised ribbing for anti-slip
Locking seams
Can be purchased in lengths of more than 24 ft.
Will last forever
Increase resell value

Cons:Poor color choices
Price (priced this product 2 yrs ago for my 24 ft. pontoon: quote was 2700.00 and I believe that included shipping)

 

[lncoop]

Re: Pontoon floor replacement opinions

Doesn't seem like a great choice for a pontoon deck. First, as you mentioned, there's the cost. I suspect you could go with aluminum for that. Second, I'd be concerned about it being dangerously slick when wet. I know it's designed for decks, which of course get wet, but we're talking about a surface that will be constantly wet when in use, which brings me to my next point. Not sure how great it would feel to bare tootsies. One other thing that comes to mind is the possibility of algae buildup. That's a problem sometimes with those synthetic decking products. If it were my barge I wouldn't do it.

 

[The Rooster]

Re: Pontoon floor replacement opinions

I don't know "Lizard". That's awful pricey. I'd have to really love that barge, and know I was going to keep it a long time. Good luck !!!

 

[River_Lizard]

Re: Pontoon floor replacement opinions

Yeah, the price was a shocker to me too.
Cleaning it wouldn't be hard at all, just hit it with a powerwash and it should come clean. The texture isn't too much of a concern, for one reason I don't walk around my toon "barefoot" much but also, the samples that they sent me didn't seem like it would be much of an issue even if I did walk barefoot on it. The ribs are not sticking up that much and it's got a fine bedliner texture to the rest of the surface.
I know I'd still would want to "skin" the underside of the deck at the same time, which would add more $$ to the project. But my main reason at looking at this product was a major reduction of weight for another project (cabin). Some place I need to cut as much weight as I can and the only thing I can think of is the decking material. I don't have but 1 bench seat, the captain's chair and a gangbox on the pontoon, which has raised my pontoon about 2 inches on the logs, but I need more weight reduction because the cabin will be adding a lot back to it. Can't think of any other direction to go and still get the weight gain? Any ideas? Plastic is costly and heavy.

 

[Bamby]

Re: Pontoon floor replacement opinions

You're being wise in your concerns about weight especially if you're considering a cabin. When we built ours just a few years ago plywood was the real option then... this is now. If I were doing mine now I'd haft to look long and hard at "Coosa Composite Panels" that is lightweight, rot-proof, and can easily replace plywood. But it is pricy listing at $225 a sheet at one suppliers site but who knows what kind of price you could maybe find with a bit of googling around..

 

[5150abf]

Re: Pontoon floor replacement opinions

The deck on a pontoon is a major part of the structure and what gives the boat its strength and that decking doesn't look like it has enough strength to do the job, there is a reason they use 3/4 ply wood.

You mention seats to and I really really doubt that will hold a seat base either much less a cabin, it is just too thin.

It is your boat and your wallet but just make sure you understand the forces at work here, as I said there is a very good reason they use 3/4'' ply.

 

[lncoop]

Re: Pontoon floor replacement opinions

Not sure if you missed my comment about aluminum, but I bet you could go that route for what the synthetic decking would cost. It would be exponentially better in all regards and would meet your weight requirement. Just a thought.

 

[River_Lizard]

Re: Pontoon floor replacement opinions

The deck on a pontoon is a major part of the structure and what gives the boat its strength and that decking doesn't look like it has enough strength to do the job, there is a reason they use 3/4 ply wood.
You mention seats to and I really really doubt that will hold a seat base either much less a cabin, it is just too thin.
It is your boat and your wallet but just make sure you understand the forces at work here, as I said there is a very good reason they use 3/4'' ply.

5150, I understand the concerns you mention and I also was concerned about how much structural strength would be supplied by this product but after receiving the samples and seeing how they lock together with zero play, I felt like there was enough strength within this product to not only help give structural strength to the pontoon's frame work but also for bolting things to it. I believe the width is around 5" but it also has a structural rib in the middle to reduce the span between sides to half the distance or around 2-1/2". Here's the spec on the product: http://www.lockdry.com/lockdrydemo.htm
I've read estimated cost are around $7.00 per sq. ft. not sure what marine plywood would be, but I know it has to be a lot cheaper.

Incoop, If you're talking about plastic/PVC decking as synthetic decking, then I've looked at that type of product and read where there was some concerns about environmental issues with it and that it was flammable also.

 

[lncoop]

Re: Pontoon floor replacement opinions

5150, I understand the concerns you mention and I also was concerned about how much structural strength would be supplied by this product but after receiving the samples and seeing how they lock together with zero play, I felt like there was enough strength within this product to not only help give structural strength to the pontoon's frame work but also for bolting things to it. I believe the width is around 5" but it also has a structural rib in the middle to reduce the span between sides to half the distance or around 2-1/2". Here's the spec on the product: http://www.lockdry.com/lockdrydemo.htm
I've read estimated cost are around $7.00 per sq. ft. not sure what marine plywood would be, but I know it has to be a lot cheaper.

Incoop, If you're talking about plastic/PVC decking as synthetic decking, then I've looked at that type of product and read where there was some concerns about environmental issues with it and that it was flammable also.

I'm talking about aluminum, lizard. Have you priced/considered that option?

 

[River_Lizard]

Re: Pontoon floor replacement opinions

Incoop,

Not sure what you're talking about. Could you provide a link?

Thanks,

Jeff aka Lizard

 

[Water logged]

Re: Pontoon floor replacement opinions

Incoop, the link lizard provided was for an aluminum decking product. Don't know how it wold compare with the strength of my Trackers aluminum deck, but it may provide enough support.

Glenn

 

[lncoop]

Re: Pontoon floor replacement opinions

Unfortunately I don't have a link for you, Jeff. What I'm thinking of would most likely have to be fabricated, but I know at least one manufacturer (Tracker) builds them that way, so it's obviously doable. I have one myself.

 

[lncoop]

Re: Pontoon floor replacement opinions

Jeff, I'm so sorry. I looked right at the description of that product and somehow missed the fact that it's aluminum. No wonder you were wondering what the heck I was talking about! Okay, the only time I've looked at the way my deck is made is when I've been in the water sitting on a life jacket under the boat. Wish I were there now, but I digress. Based on what I can recall from mental pictures it's not all one piece. Not sure if it's tongue and groove or what, but Glenn may be able to fill in with some more detail. I think it would be worth a call to a weld shop that specializes in aluminum to see if something could be fabricated. The cost may end up being astronomical, but I can't imagine it being much if any more than what you're considering. Sorry for the confusion.

 

[River_Lizard]

Re: Pontoon floor replacement opinions

Incoop, I wish I would have looked closer to my Fisher Hawk when I had it, because it also had an aluminum flooring on it. I couldn't tell you how thick or what type of aluminum it was or how it was framed to support standing on it but it was solid. I sold the boat last year.

 

[lncoop]

Re: Pontoon floor replacement opinions

I'll try and remember to take some pics of the underside of mine this weekend. May not help you at all, but who knows...........

 

[Water logged]

Re: Pontoon floor replacement opinions

I'm about 200Mi. from mine right now so I can't look, but as I recall it is laid in planks about the same width as the way lizard showed. What I don't know is how they are attached to each other.

Glenn

 

[lncoop]

Re: Pontoon floor replacement opinions

I'm about 200Mi. from mine right now so I can't look, but as I recall it is laid in planks about the same width as the way lizard showed. What I don't know is how they are attached to each other.

Glenn

Right. It was cold and wet last night so I still haven't looked, but I recall that as well. My rig is in the driveway, so I'll grab a couple pics as soon as the weather allows.

 

[River_Lizard]

Re: Pontoon floor replacement opinions

I sent LockDry a request for a new quote for 8'4" x 24' full length planks. When I hear back from them I'll update the pricing here. I'm hoping they've gone down in their price. I also asked them if I could purchase the planks without the epoxy coating on them and if so, how much would the cost be on that. Figure if I can get them cheaper, I could always coat them with a tinted bedliner product.

 

[River_Lizard]

Re: Pontoon floor replacement opinions

Got the quote back and boy have they come down on the material. Total cost including shipping is $2,069.17 I'm seriously considering going that route when I replace my decking. If I do I'll post up a step by step report on it.