Pontoon boat - new deck and interior

afphinfan · #1 October 4th, 2006, 08:58 PM

Hey there! A friend of mine offered me his old pontoon boat for free as he does not have the time to restore it in order to sell it.

He said the motor was in good shape but said the deck and interior needed to be replaced. I know that there are different ways to do the deck: std ply, pt ply, marine ply, or composite. I don't think you can use pt ply now that the new stuff is around and eats aluminum (right?) and I know that composite and marine stuff is $$$$$$$$ ... can I use normal ply? What is the best place to get carpet? Online sources?

Next is the interior ... I found something that looks like a killer deal but wanted to know if anyone has any experience with this package? http://www.pontoonstuff.com/pontoon-...e-interior.asp

Thanks in advance for any help you can provide ... I'm sure that this site will be a fixture on my PC.

Mark

DJ · #2 October 4th, 2006, 11:56 PM

That pontoon package looks nice. Very useable layout. I think the pricing is average.

You can use regular ply, however, i would coat both sides with an epoxy.

I've used short nap outdoor carpet from Home Depot and Lowes for my projects. If it's tough enough for a porch, it's OK for a boat.

Dressing up an old "toon" is an easy and fun project. It will look like a new one with new furniture and carpet. Have fun.

afphinfan · #3 October 5th, 2006, 12:18 AM

DWJ, thanks for the tip ... you say the price is average, do you know of any sources that are better? Also, is there much difference between standard and premium seating?

Bob_VT · #4 October 5th, 2006, 07:57 AM

Virtual differance between standard and premium is usually construction and materials. The premium are normally all plastic frames and seat backs (interior). Check ebay for cheaper and keep looking there are packages being offered out there on clearance.

Before you purchase the wood for a new deck make sure you know the exact size (thickness) of the old deck. About 15 years ago I helped a neighbor re-deck his pontoon. He purchased 3/4" treated both sides with epoxy and discovered his boat was decked with 1/2" The decking is usually held in place by slotted metal. It was funny by very costly for my neighbor and ended up buying 1/2" decking.

tashasdaddy · #5 October 5th, 2006, 08:35 AM

Wise is a very well known manufacturer of boat seating and accessories, these are the better seats constructed with Plastic frames and boxes. in my opinion, get the meassurements, and lay it out, to see if they will fit your needs. i've used Wise seating in several boat and never been disappointed. the free shipping is a big plus, probably 2-300 dollars. used exterior grade plywood, epoxied on every side and edge. no just front and back. when mounting anything to the deck be sure to use sealant on the screws. fasteners are the # cause of deck failure. i don't like carpet and water, but use a short nap exterior carpet, and keep the boat covered whne not in use. good luck.

rickdb1boat · #6 October 5th, 2006, 12:53 PM

Consider a spray-on bedliner product for the deck. They have colors now and are very easy to maintain and look good. Some manufacturers are going to this type deck and then use a snap-in carpet in the center areas. The furniture from pontoonstuff is very good. Several have used it with great results. I would go for the premium set. Much more plush and comfortable. They also sell on Ebay... Personally, I'd use marine grade plywood for the decking. No need to seal it, except for where bolts go through the deck....

Terry Olson · #7 October 5th, 2006, 01:19 PM

I think you're OK to use PT plywood if it's painted before installation. I refloored my fishing boat with PT but painted it on all sides with porch and floor paint before carpeting and installing it.

Check boatcarpetbuys.com for deals on carpeting. I found it to be a bit cheaper than buying the same material at Home Depot plus I had it shipped (free) to my door in 2 days rather than waiting 10 days for it to get to my local Home Depot. I shopped ebay and other online sources but no one could touch the price I found there.

Give the seating some thought. I've always thought that deck / patio chairs that will stack would make for better seating on a pontoon than fixed seating. I'm not talking about cheapie folding lawn chairs - I mean good quality deck or patio furniture. This way you can move what you need where you want it making it versatile.

The fixed seating you typically find on a pontoon holds moisture and sooner or later the upholstery comes apart. Then you're trying to match it with new stuff or redoing the whole thing again. If your patio furniture goes south you just replace the pieces you need. I wouldn't recommend this for most boating applications, but pontoons are typically used on smooth waters and the fact that this type of seating isn't permanently mounted isn't of any consequence.

Just a few thoughts.

Good luck with your project.

tashasdaddy · #8 October 5th, 2006, 07:48 PM

the new pressure treated wood eats fasteners.

afphinfan · #9 October 7th, 2006, 10:28 PM

OK, I'm back! I've been poking around the site and the 'net looking for info about pontoon boat restoration.

I picked up the boat today and it appears to be decent other than the deck and furniture. It is a 21' 1990 Suntracker Bass Buggy DL w/a Johnson Tracker 60 hp outboard. My friend who gave it to me said that the motor ran great in '04, it was winterized and put up. In '05 they ripped out most of the interior and looked into redecking it when his inlaws gave him a 29' pontoon and he decided to forget about this one. I had to buy two new tires for the trailer so I was into it for $100 before I picked it up, but I think I can live with that :-)

I removed the rails and top and they look in great condition. The deck and remaining seats were trashed; the console was already gone. It needs a steering wheel, battery ignition switch/key, gauges, and the control is missing the lever. I plan on following JB's "Awakening a sleeping outboard" to be careful about the motor.

I appreciate the advice so far, I checked and the deck was 3/4", looks like I will need 5 sheets. CDX is $23, PT is $33, and Marine is $100 ... so it is $115, $165, or $500. Of course if I go with the "cheap" stuff then I will need to get epoxy paint. BTW, what kind of epoxy paint should I get and where ... the only stuff I had ever seen before was garage floor epoxy paint. How many gallons, 2? Also, I am pretty torn over the bed liner no slip stuff or carpet ... both have pros and cons. Anyone use the stuff that Walmart carries? Also, where should I get the fasteners for the plywood and what kind?

Thanks a bunch to all!
Mark

tashasdaddy · #10 October 8th, 2006, 08:55 AM

we have businesses, that supply 'tools & fasteners' in phone book, they carry most any kind of screw,bolt, nail, etc any size. or can get them. if going with 3/4 ply, you can get the tongue and grove joint, this will stiffen up your joints, it has a tongue and grove on the 8' side of the ply and locks together. go to ebay and buy another controler, easier than trying to fix the present one.