Underskinning a smaller pontoon

[newbie4life]

After asking my friends at the local lumberyard/hardware store about some sheet aluminum -- and waking up on the floor after they told me the price... The owner had an idea.

He has a bunch of vinyl decking -- hollow with reinforcing channels in it, lightweight, and strong. It came in for a job, but after seeing the decking and how slippery it was, the home-owner returned it, being scared of what it would do in the winter. I asked him what he wanted for it -- he said "Free, but you have to take it all." Price is right.

Our pontoon is old, and we re-did it last year. The back of the pontoon sits so far in the water, when underway, larger waves hit the cross members, and just about stop the boat. Anything would help, I think, and how often do you get an opportunity to try something for no fee? My initial thought was where the pontoon slides on and off the trailer to use 2 pieces of 5/4" pine -- clear treated, then fill in with the vinyl on the rest of it.

I'd be concerned if I were hitting pretty good speeds about it being ripped off.... but the high end of our toon is about 14 mph.

Any thoughts?

 

[WaterDR]

Re: Underskinning a smaller pontoon

Why does the toon sit so low? Sounds like flooded logs.

 

[muskiemike12]

Re: Underskinning a smaller pontoon

I would never buy aluminum from a hardware store. The price will be double to triple what you would pay if you got it from a shop that works with sheet metal. Do some searching and find a place in your area that works with sheet metal. Lots of times they will have extra laying around that they will sell you.

 

[airdvr1227]

Re: Underskinning a smaller pontoon

i think you'll find that underskinning of any type is going to raise the noise level pretty significantly.

 

[Boss Hawg]

Re: Underskinning a smaller pontoon

After asking my friends at the local lumberyard/hardware store about some sheet aluminum -- and waking up on the floor after they told me the price... The owner had an idea.

He has a bunch of vinyl decking -- hollow with reinforcing channels in it, lightweight, and strong. It came in for a job, but after seeing the decking and how slippery it was, the home-owner returned it, being scared of what it would do in the winter. I asked him what he wanted for it -- he said "Free, but you have to take it all." Price is right.

Our pontoon is old, and we re-did it last year. The back of the pontoon sits so far in the water, when underway, larger waves hit the cross members, and just about stop the boat. Anything would help, I think, and how often do you get an opportunity to try something for no fee?

My initial thought was where the pontoon slides on and off the trailer to use 2 pieces of 5/4" pine -

- clear treated, then fill in with the vinyl on the rest of it.

I'd be concerned if I were hitting pretty good speeds about it being ripped off.... but the high end of our toon is about 14 mph.

Any thoughts?

Do you use a float on (sissor jack) trailor?

 

[newbie4life]

Re: Underskinning a smaller pontoon

Do you use a float on (sissor jack) trailor?

Exactly. That was my reasoning for putting up the 5/4" pine where the trailer rails sit on my scissor trailer.

As for 'water-logged logs'... nope. I've pulled the plugs on them, tipped 'em high, and there's nothing, even when I dip my pinky finger in there. I think the biggest reason is the 12 gallons of fuel, the weight of the 40 hp engine, battery, etc. Keep in mind.. this is only a 16' pontoon. The longer it is, the more weight you'd have towards the front end as well.

Noise level -- I'm not sure I understand the reasoning on it being noisier? Seems like the water splashing against the rails is fairly noisy as it is -- would only think it would make it more streamlined and maybe wouldn't make as much noise? Or are you thinking for echoing?

Thanks for the replys so far!!!

Jason

 

[5150abf]

Re: Underskinning a smaller pontoon

If you run your pesices lentgh wise, front to back and secure them really well this shoudl work, if it is strong enough to walk on it should put up with the pounding it will take under the boat and it should also be okay with the trailer, the decking is touching the crossmember and ther trailer is on that so you are only pincing it in between.

My only concern would be weight, normally the plastic "wood" is pretty heavy, also being plastic there shouldn't be any noise at all, if you use thin metal it will resonate sort of like a drum head but being thisck and plastic you should be fine.

Get at least 2 screws on each end and no gaps in between any peices and you should be fine and as you said the price is right.

 

[newbie4life]

Re: Underskinning a smaller pontoon

thanks for the reply 5150... We just went thru this weight issue with a homeowner we built a deck for. COMPOSITE decking is very heavy. A type we normally use (Geo Deck) was traded for a kind our homeowner found on the 'inter-web'. A 20' 'board' weighed over 100 lbs. To install it, it took two guys!!!!

But this stuff is actual vinyl - unbelievably light, with reinforcing channels in it. a 16' length, is maybe... 10 lbs? I don't even know if it's that much. I'm kinda thinking that to do the whole thing would add maybe 100 lbs - but would be a good trade off if it helps.

After getting 5150's blessing on it - I'm gonna give it a shot I think - New pontoon, I'd probably not try it... but old pontoon... I'm thinkin' I got nothin' to lose.

Will keep you posted! Thanks!

 

[Scott Danforth]

Re: Underskinning a smaller pontoon

take a few pics, may be the solution that my buddy needs on his 14' pontoon.

 

[Boss Hawg]

Re: Underskinning a smaller pontoon

Exactly. That was my reasoning for putting up the 5/4" pine where the trailer rails sit on my scissor trailer.

As for 'water-logged logs'... nope. I've pulled the plugs on them, tipped 'em high, and there's nothing, even when I dip my pinky finger in there. I think the biggest reason is the 12 gallons of fuel, the weight of the 40 hp engine, battery, etc. Keep in mind.. this is only a 16' pontoon. The longer it is, the more weight you'd have towards the front end as well.

Noise level -- I'm not sure I understand the reasoning on it being noisier? Seems like the water splashing against the rails is fairly noisy as it is -- would only think it would make it more streamlined and maybe wouldn't make as much noise? Or are you thinking for echoing?

Thanks for the replys so far!!!

Jason

Thought so-- I have the same, keep up posted-
Been thinking on same on my rig.

 

[5150abf]

Re: Underskinning a smaller pontoon

I would make sure it will hold your weight on a 24'' span without bending too much before you put all the work into it, if ti will do that it should be fine, if it bends like a noodle maybe not but as I said if it is intended for people to walk on like a deck it should be fine.