Anybody ever build a pontoon boat from a kit? Did you actually save $?

[say_der]

I'm looking at various pontoon boat kits - wondering if anyone here has ever built one?

If so, what did you think of it?

Did you actually save over buying a pre-finished one?

Thanks,

say_der

[blakjack23]

My friend built one last year. I think it turned out really good and it was very, very cheap.

What do you think?

[Surface Tension]

Your friend is a genius. The ducks think so too.

Nice grill eh

[blakjack23]

I am thinking that this guy who owns this custom boat is also the owner of that there custom grill.

That boat really isn't bad though. It has a very impressive center console design, easy battery access, custom fish fighting chair with racing stripes, and best of all...I'm sure its paid for! Get a cool whip bowl for a livewell, some kite string and a spark plug for a depth finder, and this rig is ready to go.

[fishlakeman]

I would like the see the look on the person's face when he's at the DMV trying to describe and license that thing. LMAO!!!!!!

[fish-n-geek]

On a tad more serious note (I'll post the pontoon I made with 4" PVC later!)

I'm working on rebuilding an old (1971) pontoon currently and it is definitely cheaper than new or slightly used. If you can track down a used boat that has tubes and frame in good shape but deck and/or seats rotting/rotten, you can usually pick them up very cheap. Then strip it down to the metal and rebuild from there.

So far, I'm at $1000 for the boat and trailer, $700 for a new deck (plywood, screws, carpet, etc.) I was able to salvage the railings. Picked up a new 40hp for $2900, you could probably find something used cheaper than that. Also got the needed controls and such for $200. The prop will run another $200 (including water test and dealer prep on the motor). I'm at $5k.

I'll be using the lawn chair seating for a while, until I decide on a layout for new seats. You can pick up a set of benches for $1500 or $2000 depending on how many seats you want.

So $7000 and your own labor gets you a practically new boat.

How expensive are the kit boats?

-rus-

[say_der]

Aluminum 22" daimeter pontoons at 18' length by 7' wide are $2660 for just the pontoons or $2,850 for a kit that includes the cross members, motor mount, edging for the deck, 4 cast aluminum corners, hardware & instructions.

No welding is required. I can't remember if that included a trailer or not.

[fish-n-geek]

Sounds like it wouldn't be much more expensive to do it that way, versus starting with an old pontoon. Biggest advantage I see to the kit would be getting larger diameter tubes. There is a HSOforum that sells 'pontoon stuff' and ends in .com where I picked up my deck kit. You might be able to get stuff cheaper if you shop around, but the kit was good for me since I can't get marine ply anywhere nearby for less than $80/sheet.

Email me if you want any more info on my project.

-rus-

fish (at) greengoo (dot) net