1989 ProCraft FunChaser 24LE rehab project

[ajbachhuber]

Hey, everyone:

New guy here with a new 'toon project. I have no idea what I'm doing but so far I'm amazed at how simple the construction of a pontoon boat is. I had a mono-hull ski boat and I just couldn't keep up with the maintenance. I'm hoping after this is all put back together it won't be such a maintenance nightmare.

Wooden decking is in great shape. Engine seems to run strong. Fence and railing are in good shape. The helm stand cleaned up nicely but doesn't have all of the features that the new ones have. The toons seem solid despite being a little misshapen. (More on that later. Hopefully you will have some advice for me.) Furniture was dead. Carpeting had been consumed by moss.

I bought the carpet at Lowes and I have some hardware coming from RestorePontoon.com. Dealt with Andrea over there and it was a delightful experience.

So here are the pictures:
















Here is where it stands now:






This is the carpet I found at Lowes:





So here are some of my questions:

1) Is the outdoor carpet I bought at Lowes an acceptable solution for a boat? I know I could pay more, but would I get more?

2) It didn't appear to me that the old carpet was glued down. Do I have to glue the carpet down? Isn't it sufficient to hold it in place with the rub rail/fencing/furniture/gravity? This boat will only be used on a smallish freshwater lake.

3) The underside of the toons are bent from being placed on cinder blocks and then sitting that way for several years.
What can I do to straighten them out? My thought was to put some pressure in them with my compressor. Would that work?

Thanks, guys! Great site here. I'm looking forward to any and all advice.

[curtiscapk]

[quote="ajbachhuber2) 3) The underside of the toons are bent from being placed on cinder blocks and then sitting that way for several years.
What can I do to straighten them out? My thought was to put some pressure in them with my compressor. Would that work?

Thanks, guys! Great site here. I'm looking forward to any and all advice.[/quote]


NOOOOOOO Don't do this! Anything over 3 3#s and you''ll have a bomb!

Welcome. Looks like fun!

[spurhunter]

Too cool, we have matching boats, color and all!

DO NOT try and expand your logs with air, as mentioned, BIG explosion. Other than using dent removal processes that body shops use, your out of (cost effective) options.

Flooring, yes I would glue it down, but I will never use carpet again, vinyl for me from here on out. The carpet holds moisture, which eats your decking. Although your looks pretty good overall, better safe than sorry.

[spurhunter]

Also on your console, it looks as though you could remove and either paint, or completely replace it with wood or other material, cut the holes you desire for switches, gauges, etc.

[oldmn19]

Take some pic's of dents and then you might get some options from this crew! I've heard of guys using a commercial heat gun and heating the dent around the edge and having them pop almost out. Pictures would sure help for getting advice.

[ROLAND]

Too cool, we have matching boats, color and all!

DO NOT try and expand your logs with air, as mentioned, BIG explosion. Other than using dent removal processes that body shops use, your out of (cost effective) options.

Flooring, yes I would glue it down, but I will never use carpet again, vinyl for me from here on out. The carpet holds moisture, which eats your decking. Although your looks pretty good overall, better safe than sorry.

With my limited knowledge of toons and pressure, common sense tells me I have to agree with this... I wouldnt add any pressure... as for the carpet... if you're going to use carpet I would think it would be more secure using an adhesive spread as opposed letting the rub rail edges hold it down... but personally I would go with vinyl. I have it on my deck and love it... no mold or mildew to worry about and clean up is super easy... in fact took my boat to a do it yourself car wash and just spent about 10 minutes spraying the deck down with soap and a quick rinse with water , and the deck almost looks brand new again.... not to mention, you don't have to worry about dirt and mud being tracked onto your carpet.... that's just my opinion....

[Thin Ice]

Yes, you should glue the carpet down. I would suggest using marine grade adhesives, or equal, that offer some type of anti-microbial elements to slow the growth of moss or mold.

That being said, I agree with others in that I would never get carpet again on a pontoon boat. My toon is only 3 years old and Ive already replaced the carpet with vinyl on the rear ski platform.

Oh, and welcome aboard

[ajbachhuber]

Hey, everyone:

Thanks for the input so far. I'm a little bummed that no one liked the idea of putting some pressure on the tubes to help knock the dents out. Even if it's done carefully, no one would do it? I thought a pressure test was part of the inspection process for these things. Using soapy water on the seams to see if they leak.

Here are some pictures of the dents and you can decide for yourselves. To be honest after taking these pictures and getting a better look at the dents, there are some creases that are a little sharper than I first thought. On first inspection they just looked like big soft bows in the metal... now, not so much. I'm not sure my plan would work anyway, so it may be moot.

Forward port:



Port side wider:



Starboard aft:



Starboard wider:




I agree with everyone who commented on the carpet choice. I believe the vinyl is the way to go. Everywhere that I looked it was going to cost around $500 for vinyl while the carpet ran me $189. To be clear, I am on a budget. I've got two wee ones (that's kids, ya'll) and plenty of other expenses. To be honest, I may not be able to afford furniture this year so I was thinking if we're going to be sitting on the floor it better be as soft as I can get it. (All of this may change if my bonus comes through this year The wife (my CFO) has authorized some upgrades if the bonus comes in where it should be.)

Also, thanks for the advice on the carpet glue. I guess I'll look into that too. Like I said earlier, it didn't appear to have been used previously and when I removed the old carpet it came up nicely. I treated the plywood flooring with some Olympic water proofer. Does that change anyone's opinion on the glue? I was just afraid to trap or absorb water unnecessarily.

[Old Dog]

I have been following your thread ajbachhuber with great interest as you plan to revive your toon. Now, you have to realize this is coming from a ‘noob’ who is waiting for his first boat (toon) ever. But, my first concern before spending any money and investing big $$$, and this may be yours as well; is the condition of the logs. Can they be used as is? If not, how much to get them seaworthy? This alone may be the deciding factor on the rehab and where I would personally start.

I’m not saying you haven’t done your homework on this, just trying to give my perspective.

I wish you all the best going forward!

[WILD MAN]

Is that a fiber-glass repair just behind the dent in the first picture? it looks like resin running down and dripping off. I'm no expert but shouldn't repairs to the pontoons be welded on? I have worked with alum. for years in the aircraft industery and it is hard to get a good bond between metal and composite materals.

[spurhunter]

I honestly wouldn't worry about the bowed logs at all, unless you are looking for a high-speed toon. From your original post, it sounded like your on a smallish lake and that wont be of concern. The bowed portion will be under water while floating, so as long as it doesn't leak, leave them alone.

As far as the leak test, its recommended no more than 3lbs of pressure, which would never re-form a toon.

[ajbachhuber]

Is that a fiber-glass repair just behind the dent in the first picture?

I didn't see that until I looked at the pictures again after you pointed it out. Then I had to go outside and make sure. Turns out it's just some dirty shmeg. No repair there.

[ajbachhuber]

I honestly wouldn't worry about the bowed logs at all, unless you are looking for a high-speed toon.

Nope. With a 75hp 2-stroke I don't think it will be that. Now that it's in the driveway and I've had some more time to stare at it, the dents are bothering me less and less. I think it won't really matter anyway.

As for the leak test, I'll be sure to keep the pressure low but I think it needs to be done.

Hey, spurhunter, I've been meaning to tell you that I did see that we have matching boats! Where did the third log come from on yours? Did you put that on there? Does it improve ride or handling? I have seen a bunch of discussion on 2 vs 3 and some of the problems that come from adding a third log in the field. The logs on mine are 22" and I wonder if when it gets loaded up with family and friends if I won't have some trouble with ride height. Again, as you mentioned above, I'm on a small lake that doesn't have any waves to speak of, so maybe it won't matter. Thanks for your input.

[Mrtoler]

I wouldn't worry about the logs either, one of my logs has a big dent also but mine is on the side of the log below the waterline so you see it on the trailer which sucks! I would just pressure test them no more than 3lbs. And if you have any leaks repair them and you should be good to go!!!! Good luck

[stickman]

To be honest, I may not be able to afford furniture this year so I was thinking if we're going to be sitting on the floor it better be as soft as I can get it. (All of this may change if my bonus comes through this year The wife (my CFO).

Just a suggestion: on the pontoon my dad had while we were growing up, the seats were simply two fabricated plywood "boxes" about 6' long by 2' tall, that sat on the deck along either side of the boat. The hinged lids had a piece of foam rubber with a sheet of vinyl stapled over it to the underside of the lid. These made great storage areas for PFD's as well as a padded place to sit while underway. They had no backs to them (we leaned against the railing), but they held up to me and my 7 brothers and sisters for many years.

Might be an option until/unless the bonus comes in and you can get "real" furniture.

Also, those small beach type folding chairs also work great on a pontoon. The main thing is, get out there and enjoy it.