Most people see an old, weathered pontoon sitting in a field and think it’s destined for the scrapyard. But with some vision, patience, and the right parts, you can turn it into a custom rig built for fishing, cruising, or entertaining.For us, this wasn’t just about building a boat — it was about building a legacy.
💙 Why Kushbee Girl?
The name, Kushbee Girl, carries even deeper meaning. It was my dad’s nickname for my mom, who passed away three years ago. Naming the boat after her made the project not only practical, but personal — a tribute to their life together, and a way to keep her memory close every time the boat leaves the dock.
My dad is 78 years old and has been an avid fisherman his whole life. He’s always fished from a bass boat — the kind with multiple levels, no railings, and a deck that can feel pretty unstable on a windy, wavy day. As the years went on, I grew more and more concerned about his safety.
So we started talking about converting a pontoon — something with a flat, stable deck and secure railing — into a fishing boat designed specifically for his needs. A platform where he could move around with confidence, cast with ease, and still enjoy the water the way he always had
The $500 Starting Point
The journey began with a broken-down pontoon boat purchased for just $500. The pontoons were solid, but the 16-foot deck was rotten, the fencing was shot, and the boat looked far beyond its prime.
Where others saw junk, we saw potential.
Extending the Deck & Strengthening the Frame
Instead of sticking with the original 16-foot deck, we decided to extend the boat to utilize the full 20 feet of pontoon length.
Welded New Supports – Additional crossmembers were fabricated and welded in to carry the longer deck.
20-Foot Marine Deck – Marine-grade plywood was laid to maximize fishing space.
Vinyl Flooring – A durable woven vinyl finish made for easy cleanup after a day on the water.
Adding a Transom Pod with Built-In Fuel Tank
To handle the new outboard motor cleanly and safely, we added a custom transom pod with a built-in fuel tank.
This upgrade not only gave the boat more strength in the stern, but also freed up deck space by keeping the fuel out of sight and well-balanced in the pod.
The Rebuild Continues
With the foundation solid, the rest of the build fell into place:
Center Console Helm – A Birdsall fiberglass console gave the pontoon a sport-fishing vibe.
Seating – Dolphin helm bench seat, corner seats, and fishing pedestal seats.
T-Top & Rod Holders – A Stryker anodized T-Top with built-in rod storage.
Electronics – New gauges, fishfinder, trolling motor, and onboard charger.
Power – A Mercury 25hp four-stroke paired with a Minn Kota bow-mount trolling motor.
Finishing Touches – Fence wrap in bold blue, custom Kushbee Girl decals, and stainless details.
Cost Breakdown
Project boat purchase – $500
Decking, fencing, seating, hardware – ~$10,400
Mid-build upgrades (helm, wrap, pedestals) – ~$2,500
Final outfitting (outboard, trolling motor, electronics, batteries) – ~$14,400
Grand Total:
~$27,330.76 invested
The Finished Boat
The end result is a fishing pontoon with:
20 feet of flat, open casting deck
Rod holders everywhere
A safe railing system for stability
A transom pod with built-in fuel tank
A Mercury 25hp + Minn Kota trolling motor combo
Plenty of seating and storage
And most importantly — a boat that lets Dad keep fishing safely, while carrying Mom’s memory on the water
Lessons for DIY Pontoon Builders
Don’t overlook a “junk boat” — $500 can be the start of something amazing.
Extending a deck is possible with welded supports and careful planning.
A transom pod is a smart upgrade for both balance and fuel storage.
Expect your budget to grow — ours ended just over $27k.
Building for someone’s specific needs (safety, fishing, accessibility) makes the project priceless.
Kushbee Girl isn’t just a boat. She’s a memory, a safeguard, and a way to keep fishing in the family for years to come.
