1986 Playbuoy pontoon rebuild

[mxfever]

We got this pontoon a year ago on a barter. It's powered by a 28hp Evinrude. It was in need of some serious help. The carpet was rotted out and sections were missing. Most of the seatin had been removed leaving holes in the floor where the table had been. The console had to be reinforced to make it through last summer or else it would fall over when you tried moving the throttle. Don't get me wrong, my family had a ton of fun on it last year but we decided to give it a face lift. Here are a couple of pictures of it decorated for the 4th of July boat parade.

My dad has a large heated shop and was willing to let me work on it there this winter. Here is after everything was stripped.

We decided to go with an American Flag theme. All the panels were removed and painted with automotive paint at Eaton Auto Body.

New marine grade 3/4" plywood going down. Man that stuff is pricy but I don't want to do this again for a long time!

The boat was named after the lake we're on. Frank at Sandborn Signcrafters cut out the stars and boat name

Carpet should be here in a week and I just ordered a new console and seat from iBoats last night and hope to have that nest week. We're just going to use patio furniture for now.

I'll keep you updated on the progress!

 

[5150abf]

Re: 1986 Playbuoy pontoon rebuild

Nice job and I love the paint scheme, the marine ply is pricey but worth the money, you will never touch it again.

When you get the carpet lay it on the boat as you want it ot set, fold back half of it and glue it then do the other half that way you know it will be straight.

Nice job and keep the pics coming.

 

[EGlideRider]

Re: 1986 Playbuoy pontoon rebuild

A beautiful job and this old vet loves the paint scheme. Thanks for sharing.

 

[mxfever]

Re: 1986 Playbuoy pontoon rebuild

Thanks guys and thanks for the tip on the carpet! Really the carpet is the only thing about this project that I'm nervous about since I've never done it. We're really looking forward to a fun filled summer on it! Now hopefully the old Evinrude will hold on for another year

 

[Silverbullet555]

Re: 1986 Playbuoy pontoon rebuild

Nicely done!

 

[mxfever]

Re: 1986 Playbuoy pontoon rebuild

5150abf - thanks for the tip on the carpet! I put the carpet on dry, then clamped down a 2x4 in the middle and folded one half back at a time. Worked like a charm! I hope to have more pictures up this weekend. The carpet is now down, the sides are bolted down and I hope to get the console wired and installed this weekend. Come on summer!

 

[mxfever]

Re: 1986 Playbuoy pontoon rebuild

Alright guy's, it's been a while since I posted some pictures of the rebuild. The boat has been done and on the water for some time now and I hope to get some pictures up this week.

The good news is she placed first place in the boat parade this weekend. Stay tuned!

 

[mxfever]

Re: 1986 Playbuoy pontoon rebuild

All right. Here she is.

Here are some quick specs.

The slide can be removed in a matter of minutes. There are 4 pins and 4 bolts that hold it in place and a quick connect hose so it can easily be removed for storage, spring or fall when the water is too cold to use it. The slide was rescued from a field after it was removed from a pool 12 years ago. The legs were cut down 12 inches to get it a little closer to the water and had a fresh coat of white and 4 coats of clear. Water is supplied via a 500 gph bilge pump. I get asked alot how much of a blind spot it creates and it really isn't very noticeable at all.

There are 2 12v batteries on the back that are seperate from each other. One is strictly for the motor. The other supplies power to all the 12v accessories - lights, interior lights, pump, trolling motor and radio so if something gets left on by accident we can still get home. Eventually I will have a solar trickle charger on the accessory battery but for now I take it off every couple of weeks and charge it over night.

Now the family has a floating mobile water park! We back onto the sand bar so the front hangs into the drop off and the kids play for hours!

Here is my wife enjoying the slide.

Here is the winning photo from the boat parade

 

[Island Seeker]

Re: 1986 Playbuoy pontoon rebuild

Very nice! This is an inspiration to me as I am in the process of overhaul. I like the creativity...thinking outside the box...good work!

 

[mxfever]

Re: 1986 Playbuoy pontoon rebuild

Very nice! This is an inspiration to me as I am in the process of overhaul. I like the creativity...thinking outside the box...good work!

Thanks! Every weekend people want to go on the water with us because the boat is so much fun!