Pontoon Kit

[RedNecker]

I have been looking at a 18' X 7' kit with 19" pontoons.<br /><br />I just want a light weight stripped down stable fishing boat with a console for two people.<br /><br />I was thinking of putting the crossmembers on 12" centers with 12" length pieces running between them to give a 12"X12" support floor support.<br /><br />Is there a good low cost light weight replacement for the standard 3/4" marine plywood deck floor?<br /><br />I will probably start with lawn furniture.<br /><br />Has anyone used a 15-20 hp motor on a lightweight pontoon? Results?<br /><br />Thanks,<br /><br />Red

 

[RedNecker]

Re: Pontoon Kit

I guess that no one here has built a pontoon boat.<br /><br />I found a 18'X 19" X 8' pontoon kit.<br />I am putting the cross members on 16" centers with extra support between them.<br /><br />The kit comes with 8' cross members, so I will <br />cut them off to 7' so as to fit in my drive way.<br /><br />I decided on a 25HP Merc BigFoot P-TnT.<br />I just picked up the motor yesterday & will get the pontoons new week.<br /><br />If anyone is interested I will post pictures & description of the construction as it progresses.<br /><br />Red

 

[Winger Ed.]

Re: Pontoon Kit

Originally posted by RedNecker:<br /> Is there a good low cost light weight replacement for the standard 3/4" marine plywood deck floor?

There's all sorts of lightweight composites around now. Foam cored, expanded Aluminum sandwhiched between sheets, etc. But if you can't scrounge it, bring a big checkbook when you go pick it up.<br /><br />I found several sheets of expanded Alum. mesh put between to sheets of thin sheet Alum. that ended up 1/4" thick, very light, and strong enough for the cockpits sides & flooring in my project boat at the local scrap yard for $1.40 a pound.