Don’t want to buy an existing pontoon just because they do not suit your style? Want a pontoon of your own design? Do you want to build your own pontoon boat?
If you are looking to build your own pontoon boat then you are looking for one of two things you are either looking to choose custom options through a manufacturer’s website (i.e. “build” your boat) and then after a few clicks, paying tens of thousands of dollars, and waiting a few months, you will get a pontoon boat! If that is your definitition of “building your own pontoon boat then luckily a number of the major manufacturers have a “build your own pontoon” option on their website and you should just pick your favorite manufacturer to “build” your custom option. The problem has been solved and you can totally design their own pontoon and build it to reality as many companies offer their customers this freedom.
However, if you are like me and enjoy a nice challenge, a little elbow grease, and a lot of swearing then truly building your own pontoon boat is the way to go. We can help with that too! Please click here if this this what you are after and you can skip the “how to pick custom options from a manufacturer” section! Click here read about how to build your own pontoon boat from a kit or from scratch.
Build Your Own Pontoon Boat by Selecting Custom Options from a Manufacturer
A little research on the internet and you will find out a lot of manufacturers who give you the option of building your own pontoon as they care about your money. One such manufacturer is the HARRIS Boats. Customers can build their own pontoon boats fully online using HARRIS Boats design tool. Before starting to build your own pontoon, you have to select a base model of your boat. HARRIS Boats offers the Crown Series, V Series, Grand Marine Series, Solstice Series, Sunliner Series and the Cruiser Series. These series have further sub specific models from which the base design of the pontoon is to be selected. Once the design has been selected, you are off to building your own pontoon boat, since the design tool offers you great freedom. In the design tool, one can select various colors, features and the extra accessories to make the boat your own.
Aluminum is the base and structural material used for the manufacturing of these boats since aluminum pontoons are safe, comparatively cheaper and economical and above all, provides a stable and safe design. Once you have completed your design and submitted it, the manufacturer will provide it to your doorsteps. They can be used for pleasure and fun activities and can also be used for work purposes as they are ideal for use on fish farms. Cruising, fishing and scuba diving are primarily done using pontoon boats. However, these pontoon kits are not just restricted to these few activities. They are strong, robust and can be used commercially for fishing, as utility boats, tour boats and heavy-duty hauling.
Thus with your pontoon boat, you can go out in the water fishing, scuba diving, or just to relax and enjoy they day with your friends and family or utilize you time and fill your pockets with cash. Furthermore, pontoon boat accessories can be installed in the boat to further maximize its capabilities and to enhance your ways of excitement and enjoyment. Custom kits, designed for different and various tasks like fishing, can be attached with the boat you have designed for some specific function.
Build your own pontoon boat, attach the gadgets of your needs and step out of your home right into the water and have an exciting adventure with your friends and family or start fishing either in the open. Let it be an experience that one can never forget through all his life. With your own design, you will always be satisfied that you own the best pontoon fulfilling your desires and will be making lifelong memories.
Build Your Own Pontoon Boat from a Kit or From Scratch
Steps for Construction – While construction a pontoon boat, a few logical steps are generally followed every time per below.
Design the Boat
The first step to build your own pontoon boat is to design it. You will need to decide various aspects such as the use it is going to be put to, the number of people that it will be carrying, the deck and flooring material to be used and the different furniture and gadgets that you would like to install must be considered. Thorough research can help you to finalize a design for the boat.
Buy Parts and Materials
The next step is to buy the primary parts that you will need to build the boat and different materials you will construct them from. There are several companies that fabricate parts as per the requirement of the user as well as provide complete kits for constructing a pontoon boat. You can approach one of these companies for getting parts manufactured that are as per your design or buy a kit to build your own pontoon boat.
The main parts that you will require will include two pontoons to keep the boat floating, a frame that will link the pontoon to the deck and will support the boat and material for decking that maybe wood, fiberglass or a composite board. The pontoons can either be bought from a manufacturer, you can salvage them from a junkyard or even use normal pipes that may have sufficient buoyancy. You may build a frame yourself from lumber or get it prefabricated. While choosing the deck material, consider the maximum weight that it can support. Also, make a note of all the tools and equipment that maybe required to build your own pontoon boat and buy those which you may not have. These will include drills, hacksaw, screws, bolts and clamps among others.
Build the Boat
First of all, the pontoons will have to be attached to the frame for deck. Some of the manufacturers may even attach the frame to pontoons at factory if you opted for prefabricated parts. Otherwise, you may attach the pontoons to the frame. While assembling different parts together, especially when connecting the pontoons to the deck via a frame consisting of beams, care must be taken that all the bolts, nuts and screws are tightened well to maintain the structural integrity of the boat. Some time there is a probability of leaks that can cause severe damage to boat in long run, attention must be paid to minimize the same.
Deck Flooring
Once the frame has been attached to pontoons, the next step to build your own pontoon boat is constructing a deck floor on the frame. You may use plywood boards or other material to build the deck. This will require cutting, nailing and fastening it with screws. Once this has been done, the next step will be to lay a floor on the deck if required. A carpet or vinyl floor maybe considered.
Install Console, Engine, and Furniture
Once the base structure of the boat has been built, an electric or outboard motor may be chosen depending on the requirement and the capability of the boat. There are various manufacturers that offer engines of different powers. A kit to facilitate the installation of engine will be required.
After this, a console may be fitted which is available from different manufacturers. Steering, and gadgets maybe added along with it. Any requisite furniture such as fishing chairs and rod holders maybe also be opted for.
After all the installation work has been completed, you can take the boat for a trial run on water.
Things to Remember While Building a Pontoon
There are a few important considerations that you must keep in mind while you build your own pontoon boat.
Safety Aspects
There is no point in building a boat yourself, if it will be unsafe to ride and may put the lives of the people on board in jeopardy. While building the boat, you must consider various safety aspects. The boat may be fitted with rails all around so as to eliminate the possibility of anyone tipping over into the water. This must be done especially if there are going to be children aboard the boat in future.
Quality of Work
All the electrical wiring and equipment must be installed properly by making using of kits and any joints must be well insulated and covered to protect from environmental damage as well as reducing the risk of people being exposed to them. You may seek professional help or even opt for manufactured boats if you feel overwhelmed by the task of building the boat yourself.
