Pontoon Boat Construction

I am new to boating and am considering buying a pontoon boat. I live in Florida and some of the people I know are trying to discourage me saying they know of "several" pontoon boats have just "fallen" apart due to corrosion of the aluminum and where it is attached to other metals.
Is there any truth to this and are there preventative measures one can take to avoid this? Thanks

If you are suggesting that the kind of boats you are interested in are typically of composite and dissimilar metal construction, then there will indeed be truth in this.

Mixing metals is a sensitive area in boatbuilding and there are a few golden rules. Principally, that dissimilar metals need to be as close as possible in the galvanic series and that fixings should be bolder - more noble - than fittings. (For example, stainless steel bolts to fasten galvanized deck fittings, etc.)

But if the construction itself is of metal it is best to keep to the same type for the whole vessel.

In other words, if the hull is aluminium, then so should the decks and superstructure be, also.

It is because dissimilar metals in a saline environment set up a galvanic 'cell': an electrical current flows between the more noble (cathode) and the base, or active (anode) of the metals present - which will fizz! It is called 'galvanic action' or galvanic corrosion.

The magnificent 'J' class yacht 'Defender', designed by the great Nat Herreshoff and winner of the America's Cup in 1895 had a huge bulb of lead for the keel, a hull of tobin bronze and an aluminium deck!

Having successfully won the cup, Defender actually self-destructed, corroding away in the next couple of years because of intense galvanic action.

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2010-04-14 10:03:38 by Jeanne L

Legend pontoon model boats with .100 gauge aluminum hulls. The ultimate Canadian fishing boat adventure.

size and length of ramp for launching pontoon boats

You will want a ramp about 8 feet wider then your pontoon boat... and the length - well that will depend on the landscape. So, I can't tell you how long, but I can tell you that you want the slope to be a gradual as possible. The ramp will get wet and slimy, so you need a gradual slope to maintain all the traction you can possibly get.

John

2010-07-07 19:36:18 by Dave Allstaedt

I live in Ann Arbor Michigan. We live on a small lake outside of the city and we are interested in getting a new dock built. Our current one is very shabby looking. We are looking for something that isnt extravagant but allows us to dock a jet ski or pontoon boat.

What kind of company do we contact for construction? Just a normal carpenter? Thanks

Why don't you just buy a removeable aluminum or composite dock that you put in and pull out every year?
I don't know what you can get built that will stay in place permanently that won't cost you an arm and a leg. As "boatin in VA" mentioned; a permanent dock will require pilings etc, and depending on what the lake bed is like, that can get $$$ in a hurry.

Buy a roll-in such as this;
http://www.dakadock.com/rollin.cfm

P.S. I know nothing about this company, it's just the first one that popped up when I yahooed "roll-in docks"..

2009-05-14 09:23:27 by Steve S

Price: $39.99 $105.95

The side door and cockpit open
Contains 215 pieces
The plane measures 14" (36cm) long and has a 16" (40cm) wingspan

I want to build a small two man pontoon boat, and would like to use inexpensive locally available items for it's construction...I have seen pontoons of this type, but do not know where to get the end peices, or how to mount my frame structure on them...Any ideas, or wholesale/salvage places that can accommodate me would be appreciated.. Thanks !!!

First of all PVC pipe is not cheap, also did you mean hdpe type pipe. Do you want to make a paddle boat type 2 man pontoon or one with a motor? if you want to make a paddle type mounting is pretty easy because you can use different connectors start Small with a pro to type . I made one out off 2 ten foot pieces of PVC that was 6 inches water mains,on the ends I just used end caps they have them that are curved on the ends that made the pontoons for the seats I used 2 old plastic stacking chairs that I mounted on 2, 5 foot pieces of 4 in pipe in the middle I used 2 in pipe to make a square that was 4x4 that was drilled into the top of the 4 in. pipes the 4 in pipe was drilled into the 6 in. pipe to make cross pieces then I chalked the holes I have yet to take it out in deeper than about 4 feet of water but it will hold me and my brother both of as are almost 430 lbs. and it stayed a float sinking less than half of the pipes so I'm sure it will work the trick is to make it big to disperse your weight evenly. I hope this was helpful if not at least interesting. Good luck with your build my friend, B.

2007-11-22 07:34:36 by mobileminiatures