Pontoon Mirror

[jbohanan]

Hi everyone. I just signed into this forum.

Full Disclosure... My name is Jeff Bohanan and I own a company that makes billet aluminum components for OEM boat manufacturers (primarily wakeboard boats). We make parts for virtually all of the major players. My company is Protomet Corp located at http://www.protomet.com.

I came out of the nuclear weapons manufacturing industry and our company makes products for the military, homeland security, and many other industries that are not related to boating. However, boating is my passion and our company is heavily focused on the marine industry.

Recently, we were approached by some pontoon boat owners who informed us that no one makes a Pontoon Mirror Bracket to be used when towing skiers or tubers. When we started checking into this, we could not believe that so many pontoon boats are capable of towing yet there were no good mirror brackets on the market.

We put our engineers to work on this and they have developed a trick product that is rock solid rigid and folds down when putting the cover on the boat.

It can be seen at http://www.ptmedge.com.

On a related note, if anyone knows of a competing product, please respond with that information as well. Believe anyone who would be searching for a solution on this forum deserves to hear about any other options. I certainly would like to be aware of what is out there.

If anyone on this forum has an idea for something else you would like to see on a pontoon boat that is not currently available, give me a call at Protomet (865.425.0600). I would be interested in talking with you. Any new product would need to have universal appeal but we will consider any ideas…

Look forward to hearing from boat owners on this forum and look forward to another great season on the water with my family… I can’t wait to get back out on the water…!!

[JohnO]

Welcome Jbohanan!

Be an active member here and not just a drive by advertiser and you'll do well.

I've not seen another pontoon specific mirror but then I've not been looking yet.

Your design looks pretty good so far. Does it have any side to side adjustment? How much can the mirror be swivelled to account for different distances from the rail to the driver. How easy is it to remove/replace (in case of interferences with bimini etc). I'm sure I'll have more questions later.

Seems pretty pricey though. Almost $200 for a "nice to have but nowhere near essential" item is pretty steep. I figure a price point nearer $100 would get a far better response.

[jbohanan]

JohnO

Thank you for the feedback. I will stay in touch. Realize the sensitivity of mentioning a product and had some hesitation to post. If there were similar products available, I would not have posted because that would not be "helping" it would just be "advertising". Hope my intent is taken in the right way.

Regards...

[jbohanan]

John O

Sorry I missed the 2nd part of your post in my first read.

It has no side to side adjust. The bottom clamp can be flipped around in the event that your pontoon skin is on the outside of the rail. 90% either have no skin or the skin is on the inside.

Regarding price, I hear where you are coming from. This is precision CNC machined aerospace grade 6061-T6. It is rock solid compared to the overseas junk that is currently on the market. You are correct, unless this is a needed item, i.e., pulling tubers, etc. it is not an item you will purchase for looks.

Regarding removal, we had a version that was made to remove but it had some short comings and did not fold. This one has a socket head cap screw that requires a standard allen wrench.

After some interaction with users, we decided to make it stay on the rail more permanently.
2 reasons:
1. Helps discourage someone walking by and deciding that mirror would look good on their boat.
2. Most toons are on the water when this mirror would be installed or removed. As it sits on the side rail, we did not want to upset customers when they dropped the mirror in the water.

Appreciate the comments....

[lakerunner]

Pull or not all boats need a mirror. As our lake get more crowded close calls are the norm. When we have fools pulling whatever and not paying attention and near running you down they are necessary.

Welcome aboard

[dockholiday]

Welcome

The mirror looks like a quality product. Far as ideas, think everyone would like to have an automatic cover for their boat. There have been a few attempts made to manufacture one of these. We had one on here a while back an not sure if he made a go of it or not. It would be something to think about. Seems like everyone hate the chore of covering their toons at the end of the day. It would be a challenge making something that worked well an would be affordable.

doc

[Looney Tune]

Just seems to me that a mirror on a boat would vibrate to much to be of any real use.

[GregF]

Must be that big Verado

I have had a few mirrors on my boat over the years but finding the right spot is tough. The best place seemed to be on the rail but a mangrove wiped that one out. My second choice was a salvaged passenger side "objects may be closer..." mirror (glass part only) stuck to the console.
They don't seem to like salt water. It was blooming black around the edges and I chucked it.
Mr Ed is my lookout now. If anyone is coming up behind me he barks.
It is about time he earned his Purina

[curtiscapk]

Nice mirror but pricey here is what I use..

[jbohanan]

Craig,

The windshield mount definitely works and is significantly less expensive. One functional difference is that this bracket positions the mirror above and to the right of the windshield but still keeps it just inside the rail. It is a little less in your direct line of driving site.

It also folds without removing to store under the boat cover.

If the windshield mount does the job, I would definitely agree… that is the way to go!

Thanks for your comments…and pics.

Jeff

[WaltF]

That mirror looks cool curtiscapk.
But whats with the ugly sob in the reflection?

[smltooner]

I have one of these from Overton's

http://www.overtons.com/modperl/product ... rchID=4005

Works great, very easy to put on and take off, very sturdy and stable.
$50 sure beats $180.

[yellowk9]

That appears to be a precision engineered and machined product and looks really nice. I can see someone with a 60-80,000 ski boat shelling out that kind of dough for a mirror bracket, but I honestly don't think you'll attract the average pontoon owner at that price. I know I wouldn't pay anywhere near that for a mirror bracket. Maybe I'm just cheap

[ROLAND]

Pull or not all boats need a mirror. As our lake get more crowded close calls are the norm. When we have fools pulling whatever and not paying attention and near running you down they are necessary.

Welcome aboard

I agree that all boats need a mirror..as a first year boater last season, there were several times I almost " pulled " out in front of a faster on coming boat...Obviously I've learned to look and look again before changing course, but a mirror would be nice... but I won't spend 2 bills on one, even though the one on this thread does look to be well made.

[jbohanan]

Appreciate all the input and the links to competing products.

The Overton's model that SMLTOONER mentioned looks to be a pretty good option if you want a hard mount. We could probably make that product in the $40 to $50 price range...maybe we will as a different option.

Also, appreciate the comments that mirrors are needed regardless of towing. I had not really thought about the safety aspect of just navigating the lake and looking for other boaters. Good points...

Most of our products go on the $60K - $80K boats that YELLOWK9 referenced so I understand we may be in a different price market with the pontoons. However, I was amazed at some of the pontoon boats showing at the Atlanta Boat Show. There is no telling what will show up at the Miami Boat Show next week...