Pontoon Boat & Deck Boat Forum

So I've been having terrible insomnia lately, worse than usual. It drives me crazy to be unproductive, usually I get up and excersize or do house work. But this morning I decided to get my arse out to the shop and start on some thing FUN! Laid out the tubes, drilled lots of holes, and squared it up. Here it is as I'm laying out the rest of the cross members and geting ready to do a LOT of bolting...

Looks great!! What kind of toons are you using and are you building 2 boats (more toons off to the right side)??
Jack

I'm using 25" diameter pressurized tubes I picked up locally. I'm always doing some thing with boats, so I guess the answer to your question is yes . I do have another pair of tubes sitting in wait, I just decided to start some thing cooler first. Funny thing is I had a guy stop today to look at another toon I have, and he thinks he wants to buy this one when it's done. Perhaps my insomnia was for a reason

There are relatively few people that can build a boat from scratch. With first class toons and crossmembers, building a pontoon/tritoon is something that is do-able. And it doesn't hurt to be close to so many boat builders and RV manufacturers for the parts.

You must be buying screws and/or rivets by the buckets.

Enjoy your project.

Very nice! I've always dreamed of building/restoring a boat.

Cool project!

Thanks! I've been building toons for years, it's a great hobby. I just don't post much about it, not to mention I'm still a newb here. LOTS of projects under the belt before I found this great place. If you browse the F/S section you might have seen me sell off some of my surplus items from time to time. My wife started thinkin I was a hoarder so I had to start storing my supplies away from home. It's better that way because now I don't have her asking what I'm going to do with all that crap every other day . I still say any one can do it, access to quality supplies is probably #1 on the list, and yes, my location gives me a huge advantage.

Why didn't you go with a larger center tube?
Why no lifting strakes on the inner tube?

For the same reason you don't eat the same thing every day for every meal. Some times you just switch it up. I won't be keeping this boat, so I'm using the parts I already have on on hand to build a nice quality boat. Bellieve it or not, not every buyer out there is looking for a top of the line performance tri-toon.

Looks like fun, Ty. Looks like a South Bay to me...
How did you go about squaring up? When I built my last boat (Premiere blemish tubes), we had a bitch of a time using the old tried and true method of measuring the diagonals. Although I could swear I had it perfect at the time, when I finally put the plywood on, I was about 1/2" forward with one tube. Hardly noticable, but it always bugged me.

I always use the diagonal measure method. Also, always re-check after you get a few cross members tightend up. Some times they can pull it one way or the other. Another thing...sheets of marine plywood aren't always 100% square. Some times if I'm off a bit on the 2nd or 3rd sheet I'll switch them out and that has always helped.

I suppose you'll be wanting to borrow my underskin bending jig next.

Na, I figured you would come out here and install it for me
Had a great weekend, got every thing drilled and bolted. Sold a boat too, so time get my butt in gear on this one! Gotta make time to go pick up a transom this week and then the fun begins!

ToonGuy wrote:Na, I figured you would come out here and install it for me

Sorry bro, one trip through Chi town and back was enough for this country bumpkin. I could always ship it to you. I can see the FedEx lady's face..."I'd like to ship this ten foot long 50# log to Indianna"

Got the transom mounted and the decking installed and trimmed up...