DIY Mounting a grill to a pontoon - Need some help and ideas

[kevinstan]

I have a new to me pontoon - and decided it would be good to add a grill to it. I have bought the grill I want to use (Coleman portable sport roadtrip) and I am looking for a way to mount it to my pontoon. I would like to find a way to do it on the rail, but I am not totally against a pedestal mount. All of the brackets and mounts I see are expensive, and I am not even sure they would work with the grill I got. Anyone have any ideas or suggestions ?

 

[ThomW]

You could try something like this:
https://www.amazon.com/Arnalls-Pontoon-Grill-Bracket-Set/dp/B006707CP8

If you look at that page, they actually show a few different Coleman grills mounted a few different ways. Could give you some ideas on what you want to try.

You may need to modify the grill a little (perhaps drill a few holes in the under side) but once you had the brackets connected to the grill per your liking, the mounts easily go on and off the pontoon rails. Just a thought.

 

[snowseeker]

On our last toon I just layed down a piece or cardboard or some paper plates on the table and put the grill on top of that to use.

On our new toon I plan to fab up a bracket deal to hang it over the water much like the ones you see advertised. But I plan to make it just clip on so it is easily removable after grilling and stored away. My idea is much like the old 1960's window tray clips like at a drive in for cars. I plan to have an undertray that slopes away from the toon as well to direct any burger grease away from the side of the toon.

 

[kevinstan]

I like those mounts in the link you posted, I am just worried they may not work. They don't look very sturdy. I don't mind drilling holes to mount them - but the reviews seem a little mixed. I was hoping for an alternative before I ordered those to try them, but I cannot find anything else really.

 

[bruceb58]

I made mine. Welded up some brackets for the pontoon rail and a bracket that screws to the bottom of the grill. Made mine so it sits over the water and can be reversed so it can be used at the dock.

 

[bruceb58]

As you can see, mine are flush with the top of the rail so that it does not affect the cover which was very important to me.

 

[kevinstan]

I have no way of welding, so that limits me a good bit on a DIY project. Wish I had a way to do something like that. I am forced to find something that will work and buy it I think.

 

[HotTommy]

If you are concerned about the strength of the commercially sold fence mounted bracket, perhaps you could add a third leg that runs from the bottom back of the grill to the deck outside of the fence. A simple piece of aluminum tube with easy on/off hardware at each end would add a lot of strength and rigidity. Conceptually its like the support brace on this:

 

[kevinstan]

I just ordered the Arnall's brackets. It says they can safely hold up to 35 lbs. I don't think my grill weighs that much. I will test them out when they arrive and see how well they are. It may work - and I hope it works. If not, then I will move on to plan B

 

[kevinstan]

I got the brackets I ordered. I installed them and set it up on the boat. Works nice actually. I didn't take into account the bottom curve of the grill itself but it still fit, It was just a little snug. I think I can buy some longer bolts to fix that though. Overall I have to say they are good for the price. I would buy them again. Happy I went this way instead of pedestal mount. It will save me some space.

 

[bruceb58]

How does your boat cover fit with them mounted?

 

[kevinstan]

My boat cover is just a simple 25 x 20 tarp. Works for me. Not sure how it would fit with other covers though. And since its easily removable, I will probably store it in the garage until we are going out to use it.

 

[ThomW]

Glad they worked for you! Cheers and happy boating.