Adding a slide

[MASTER Brian]

I have a 5yr old and a soon to be 9yr old and am wanting to add a small slide for them to play on. This is something I've been contemplating since picking this boat up last year and actually have two donor slides, one of which I just picked up today at a nearby garage sale for $5. Figure can't go wrong!!!

The questions I am dealing with is what is the best way to attach this thing. It's not just a single deck pontoon, so I'm not dealing with height. It should be fairly easy to attach to the rail behind one of the seats, so I think that's covered, but the thought is a piece of aluminum channel, just big enough to slide over the top rail welded to a small plate, which would be attached to the slide, from the side it would look like the letter F, then I'd clevis pin that to the rail when in use.

The real concern is on the back end. Should I just add a float and let it rest on the water or actually build an aluminum structure for the bottom and secure it back to the lower end of the deck. I want whatever I do, to be easy to take off and remove for travel and storage if need be, so I'm thinking small clevis pins through the rail. Part of the thought that comes to mind, is maybe something like the pivoting mounts on a Bimini, so that I can raise or lower when under power. Or if it just rests off the water, then maybe something like what the ladders do, with rubber feet that rest against the pontoon.

I'll try to add some pictures of my thoughts....

The other question is if it should actually sit a few inches above the water line, so they have a bit of the 'drop' effect or if actually sliding directly into the water would be better. I also plan to add a bilge pump, to add water to the slide at the top, but maybe it won't be necessary!

 

[MinUph]

Re: Adding a slide

I don't think attaching to a rail is a good idea. I also would not put a slide off the back next to the motor in fear a kid might just be to excited and fall off the side of the slide and hit the motor. A side mount would seem safer. And sliding off a few inches above the water I think would be more fun. A little splash. I would think a support of some kind on the lower section of the slide might be a good idea. I like the pump idea.

 

[ahicks]

Re: Adding a slide

Assuming these kids are good swimmers, that drop/splash at the end of the run is most of the reason for going down the slide! I would set it up for an 18-24" drop to the water surface.

Regarding the use of the rail as part of the structure, I've seen too many of them bent. Would avoid that on my boat. They're not very sturdy at all.

 

[dls322]

Re: Adding a slide

I agree with ahicks.
Are you planning on making it removable? I would probably build some wooden legs on the beginning of it so the boat floor will support it. Then mid way down extend a support that comes to meet against the rub rail. That should be good enough. Remember to wet the slide as they are going down or it wont be as fun and you can get rub burns against skin

 

[Old Screwball]

Darn, my whole post with pictures went away..... Did I do something wrong?? Lets try again. This is a "Lil Tyke" slide I saved from the garbage man. 3 foot piece of electrical conduit, and 2 eye screws (no new holes, replaced to existing holes). The brace is the original used to attach to the ladder. It is propped on the bracket used for speedo sender. Total investment about $5.

 

[MinUph]

There has been a lot of issues here lately. I'm sure they are working them out. Hopefully you pics will return when its all fixed.

 

[MASTER Brian]

I'll try to add some pictures of my slide setup, but the trip to the lake deemed it a success! At this point, I haven't pinned it so it's semi-permanent to the boat, but am thinking I might. My basic thought is I'll drill two holes on the top mount and one on each side of the lower mount and use clevis pins, so it can be removed for transport, etc.. The only issue I had was, since it wasn't pinned I had to remove it before heading out, unless I just went about idle speed. If I pin it to the boat, I hope I can go cruising speed.

 

[Old Screwball]

No Title

Lets see it this one stays. 2 screws replaced with "I" screws, 1/2 inch rigid conduit through the eyes and slide. To remove the slide, pull the conduit out of the I-screws and bungee it to the rear deck. Takes a minute or two.

 

[Old Screwball]

Lets see it this one stays. 2 screws replaced with "I" screws, 1/2 inch rigid conduit through the eyes and slide. To remove the slide, pull the conduit out of the I-screws and bungee it to the rear deck. Takes a minute or two.

 

[brooksville_rebel]

Hello I hope the pics come up but so far nothing on my end. I am interested in seeing them. I have 3 grandkids 2,5,6 and a 5yr old adppted son and would love to put a slide on our pontoon. If they pics don't come up could you email them to me so I could get an idea of a setup possibility. ?
Thanks
Mark

 

[Old Screwball]

I give up. When I download the pictures they appear on the post. Next day they are gone. After the board was 'modified' none of the pictures stay. Sorry.

 

[brooksville_rebel]

Logged in to see the reply and pic was there today. Go Figure.
THanks
Mark

 

[mxfever]

No Title

Here is mine. It's an old pool slide. It sits on posts with pins and can be easily removed in just a couple of minutes. A bilge pump sits in the water for slide lubrication. It's a huge hit when we pull up to the sand bar. Kids come from far and wide.

 

[MASTERBrian]

I appreciate all the replies, unfortunately, I still haven't been able to see any pictures. For now, I have a solution, for it to be removable and I think I have a long term more permanent mounting idea as well. Maybe some day the pics will return!!