Raising The Deck

[ElGringo]

This question is about a 24 footer used on the coast. I have seen pictures of pontoons with tall splash shields made on to the front and it made me wonder. If you built a truss style spacer to attach to the tops of the tubes, and under the deck. Could you safely raise the deck by two to four feet leaving the rear at its present level to support the motor? I'm sure it would need cross braces or X braces from coner to coner and side to side. I would be interested in whatever you think pro or con and your reasons. Thanks

 

[MH Hawker]

Re: Raising The Deck

Why would you want to, it would make it a lot more unstable.

 

[MinUph]

Re: Raising The Deck

Thats sounds like a pretty wild ride in the wind. I picture a wheely with no wheely bars to stop you. Doesn't sound like a good idea.

 

[ElGringo]

Re: Raising The Deck

Hawker,... the size of the footprint in the water has not changed. It would still sit the same.

MinUph,... your deck is already two feet off the water catching wind. How much more would it catch at four feet. It's the same deck just higher.

 

[MH Hawker]

Re: Raising The Deck

Yes the foot print is the same, its the center of gravity that will change. But hey its yours so do what you want and maybe you will show up on u tube.

 

[MinUph]

Re: Raising The Deck

It sounded like you want to raise the front deck 4' and leave the rear the same. That would make the boat sit at an angle catching more wind under the front. Is that not what you are asking?

 

[ElGringo]

Re: Raising The Deck

Hawker, I am asking for anyone to shoot down the project for what they feel are good reasons, and I'm sure your opinion is worth as much as mine. It's a 24 footer, about 20 or 21 feet will be raised, (think fishing platform) the engine and fuel tanks along with some storage will still be at the original level. I might put the small wheelhouse on the upper part. I have seen some party pontoons with an upstairs. Not only the people but heavy enough structure to hold them. But they did not have to deal with any waves.

MinUph, nope! I can barely walk on a level floor on choppy water. Slanted, I could wet it down and use it for a water slide, maybe my Grandson would like it.

 

[BrianMc]

Re: Raising The Deck

How do the tritoons handle the water there? Reason I ask is you could probably add a center transom tube for what it'd cost you to truss it out. They set 4" higher to start with,and ride higher than that. Plus it'd be easy to raise the deck another 6" without trussing,and keep it all at the same level.

There would be more stress on the M brackets and their welds with a deck raised that high,so it would take bracing back to the center. That bracing would take a beating underway,as well as the short wall between levels. Where there's a will there's a way,but you would be adding a fair amount of weight.

I could see a fun project like that with a 10' wide deck, twin tubes on each side, and a big outboard hanging on both sides.

 

[ElGringo]

Re: Raising The Deck

Brian, You don't see any working tritoons and I have read on one of the custom pontoon fabrication websites that they do not recomend them. 36" and up tubes, wide, with a lot of length. Some really large ones have splash guard fronts that have a catamaran appearance. They look like the tubes are made together on the front 6 or 8 feet. One person has suggested two trusses made of smaller square tube on each side run along the tops of the "M" brackets. This would give you four "runners" under the deck. He seemed to think if you X braced each pair to its self it would be rigid enough and it could still be trailered if it was not made wide.

 

[BrianMc]

Re: Raising The Deck

So this will be a stripped down working toon?

As far as buoyancy and center of gravity goes there's a lot of difference between a wide deck with 36" tubes,and a 8' wide "tall" deck on 25"s. The risers can be made lite and stout like you mentioned,but the factory M brackets and welds would start cracking. You could double those up.

What kind of trailer are you using? With my small tired bunk trailer,my T-top is already just under 12' tall going down the road. A wheelhouse on top a raised deck would be even taller. I like the "outside the box" projects,so I'm interested in what your trying to do. Mine is mostly business too,as I take my fishing serious.

 

[ElGringo]

Re: Raising The Deck

Described as workboat because it wont be much more than a deck, fold down canopy, steering console, rail, and lawnchairs. I'm not going to tear up anything to build it. I have found a 24" tube X 24' no name to build it with. I'll be able to use the tubes, motor mount, gas tanks, console, and "maybe the old motor" It's an early 80's of some kind. It has sit in a back yard for enough years that the lady does not remember where her late husband got it. One of those no paper kind of projects. I'm hoping to skate by the state by claiming salvaged tubes. There is a trailer under it, I would say it is a LottaRust brand. with two flat tires. I'm not sure what all I can save.

 

[Lurch77]

Re: Raising The Deck

My only concern would be the elevation of the center of gravity. I'm not smart enough for the math even if I knew all the specifications of your final plan, but I would have to think the boat would be more unstable in large waves. You wouldn't have as much water coming over the bow, but you would have roll over tendencies increased.

 

[ElGringo]

Re: Raising The Deck

Lurch, You are probably right on the roll over. If after listening to everyone, I continue the project, it will be 10 feet wide on the rebuild

 

[Scott Danforth]

Re: Raising The Deck

you will have to build it on the lake you want to keep it at. hauling anything over 8'-6" wide requires permits

 

[ElGringo]

Re: Raising The Deck

It has been about a year since I last checked but, there is a storage lot about 3 blocks away from the water and the police are use to seeing strange looking boats going to and from the water. If it went anywhere else it would be one of those "Some Assembly Required" type things.

 

[BrianMc]

Re: Raising The Deck

10' wide would make a big difference in stability. In our state you don't need permits until your over 12' wide. Over 8'-6" you need "Wide Load" signs and red flags at the corners.

I think I'd still look for a used set of twins to hang off the tubes,even if they were 75's or 90's. That way it'd be open underneath. It'd be different that's for sure. To help you gauge the height your looking for this rig has about 5' of clearance,and around 11' wide. Lol

 

[ElGringo]

Re: Raising The Deck

Brian, about this time last year I went on a Gulf Coast ride on my motorcycle and pulled my little Mini Mate camp trailer. I have talked to people in Port Isabell, Seadrift, Port O'Connor, Port Lavaca, in Texas. I have friends who live in Port Isabell and at Angelton close to Freeport Texas. I tried to learn what I could and I watched every boat that moved. I have never been on a pontoon on the Sea. If I am able to work things out I will put it in the water at one of those places and hang around Padre Island and learn if I want to get out any farther. I would really like to take it south about 300 miles along Mexico. If everything works, I'll take it to Florida and try to Island Hop. That way wherever I drown, someone will get some use out of it. Now does that sound like a plan?

 

[BrianMc]

Re: Raising The Deck

Sounds like a thoughtful plan. Not sure of the drowning part tho. The fall might kill you first.