Pontoons: why aluminum?

[bayman]

Other than Genmar, with their Windsorcraft, it seems that almost all pontoon boat manufacturers are using aluminum pontoons.<br /><br />I know the advantages to aluminum but I'm wondering why more manufacturers aren't using some sort of UV balanced polymer.<br /><br />Why couldn't you just create pontoons by extrusion out of a thick ABS material? It seems that would be a light and strong material. It wouldn't look like aluminum, but most boats don't anyway.<br /><br />Would ABS pontoon work or not? What does everyone think?

 

[Realgun]

Re: Pontoons: why aluminum?

The toon would really be to heavy. To much to Manufacture too!

 

[bayman]

Re: Pontoons: why aluminum?

ABS in the pluming departments just seems so inexpensive. Now of course that stuff is manufacturered in massive amounts, unlike pontoons. Pontoons would also need to be thicker to be as strong as aluminum. I'm not really sure how much thicker it would have to be though.

 

[sundog]

Re: Pontoons: why aluminum?

Hey, if it floats, and its strong enough, yes, it would work. Aluminium gives a lot of lift for its weight. the pontoons might have to be larger diameter of they weighed more.

 

[Dunaruna]

Re: Pontoons: why aluminum?

Too expensive, not rigid enough (over long lengths), easily damaged and NOT easily repaired. Still need to find a way to attach steel and/or aluminium beams - especially around the thrust area (engine). That being said, I have seen a 40ft houseboat with PVC toons, they were made in 10ft modules that 'clipped' together - he's still floating last time I looked <br /><br />I'll try and get a pic next time I'm up at the marina.<br /><br />Aldo

 

[bayman]

Re: Pontoons: why aluminum?

Hmmm, very good comments from everyone. That makes sense Dunaruna...I was only thinking of using it for small pontoons where the engine would be attached to the stern. Attaching toons could be difficult though. It would be interesting to see that houseboat though. Saying that "he's still floating" doesn't inspire a huge amount of confidence though!

 

[monoshock]

Re: Pontoons: why aluminum?

They are being build from plastic, I ran across this on ebay. Check the link.<br /> http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/e...tem=4560796259&category=26451&sspagename=WDVW

 

[CATransplant]

Re: Pontoons: why aluminum?

Actually, I've been seriously thinking about building a small pontoon boat for bass fishing on the small lakes in the metro area where I live.<br /><br />I'm talking about something about 8' long. I've seen some nice looking 12" dia. plastic pipe around, probably free for the asking. The end caps are available, too for this stuff, and it's not horribly expensive. I wonder....I'll bet this would work fine for such an application.<br /><br />No speed involved...just an electric trolling motor. Simple deck, maybe actually mounted with large stainless screw clamps.<br /><br />I dunno...but it's an interesting idea. I'm going to think about it a bit longer.

 

[Dunaruna]

Re: Pontoons: why aluminum?

The toon in the ebay link is very similar to the houseboat toons I saw. Notice that the add said 'modular'.<br /><br />Aldo

 

[bayman]

Re: Pontoons: why aluminum?

That's interesting. Someone is making them then. They are priced a little less than the aluminum pontoons I have seen out there. It looks like a roto-molded product.