Pontoon rebuild / redesign

[archbuilder]

Re: Pontoon rebuild / redesign

As for the curved vs. straight question I like the curved but am not sure how it would look with the front/loungers and other design elements

I am split on the curve Orangeman.....I' guess at some point I will have to make a decision and go with it.

Once you get the shape the way you want it and a reasonably surface you could wrap it in vinyl to give you a nice smooth surface to spray the gelcoat on and a good release

Interesting idea Bob, I had thought about shrink wrapping the surface, but I don't know if the glass will "eat it". I thought if I was careful I could get it to suck up tight to the compound curves. Anyone ever try it?

Ok so I fought with the design yesterday, I wasn't really happy with the loungers. Shape looked nice, but I don't think they will be that comfortable for anyone who is very tall. So I have been toying with the idea of shifting the helm forward, then taking the space behind it to make a 6' wide lounger.....3 sections where 3 people could sit on it and look aft. On the front side of it would be the helm in the middle or off to one side. After thinking about it, I really want to minimize the helm, it would be nice if it would almost fold away when anchored. On each side of the loungers the deck would slide out and become walkway once it was in the water. I know this is a big change, but it cuts down on expenses from the mold and components perspective. I would also gain a lot of storage under the lounger too. I just came to the conclusion that I was trying to get 10 pounds in a 5 pound sack with the sliding lounger. Thoughts?

 

[jbcurt00]

Re: Pontoon rebuild / redesign

The drop down or fold down helm is were I was headed w/ the servo motors & electric throttle control way back when.

Have the helm slide forward away from the back of the center of the lounger. Helm console has steering & throttle, back of the lounger's clamshell shape has the helm seat built into it. Slide channels & mechanism could all be hidden below the helm console, track etc only.

Rudimentary:

 

[BobsGlasstream]

Re: Pontoon rebuild / redesign

Hey Arch,
I have used the plastic wrap myself before. You will still need to use a release agent to be safe and it will provide some protection. Then the gel coat will go down and as long as you don't build it to thick at one time you won't generate a lot of heat either. Do a small trial piece to see how it comes out.

Bob

 

[Last Mohican]

Re: Pontoon rebuild / redesign

Made it down to the foam shop today. Everyone agreed skip the mold step. I spent about 30 - 45 minutes talking to Mitch. I consider him a good friend and probably one of the smartest people I know. The guy is a wizard. We looked at several pictures of what you have and this was Mitch's suggestion. Use the cardboard you have as a plug. Spray it down with 3M Super 77, cover it with aluminum foil and build you finished part right off of that. For the other side he suggested you get a block of foam and make the plug out of that instead of cardboard. Same deal, Skip the mold and build the final product right off the plug. He said he would carve the plug by hand. You could cut the profile with a hot wire but foam is so easy to work there really is no need. He suggested if you have never worked with foam, you need to try it. He was sure once you start to carve it you will slap your self in the forehead for ever doing it any other way because the foam is so easy to work with.

The amount of sanding and smoothing will be the same mold or not. This way you will be finishing your final piece instead of finishing the plug. The big advantage is the time and materials saved by not having to do it three times (Plug, Mold, Final). Of course this all changes if you are making multiple parts.

To bad your not closer. I'd give you a tour and you could talk to Mitch and the foam guys in person.

 

[archbuilder]

Re: Pontoon rebuild / redesign

Thanks for the info Matt!

 

[archbuilder]

Re: Pontoon rebuild / redesign

Not a lot to report today, I have just been working on "coordinating" the drawings. Basically I have been cutting section through different parts of the boat....sorting through how I want the section to look, then revising the plan and elevation to match the details. This is pretty boring, but doing it will save a lot of problems later. I also made the loungers wider and tweaked them so they would be easier to build.

I think that I might end up using a couple different methods for molding the parts. Matt, I like your guys idea of the foil as a release agent. Most of the mold-less construction methods I have seen actually leave the mold in place so it becomes part of the finished product. I really don't like the idea of doing that....but the foil will allow you to pull out the mold from the back side.

 

[jbcurt00]

Re: Pontoon rebuild / redesign

^^ Bump^^

 

[archbuilder]

Re: Pontoon rebuild / redesign

Not much to report....I've been distracted with other projects at the lake place and the house......life seems to get in the way of my fun projects, lol!

 

[jamesgduratech]

Re: Pontoon rebuild / redesign

Here's an idea. You'll need some wheels and rails to do this. under the boat, have small wheels and rails to house a deck extension or diving board or something that you can slide out for easy access or something.

 

[archbuilder]

Re: Pontoon rebuild / redesign

diving board is a new one.....hmmm but I'm not sure how smart that would be with our shallow lakes around here! thanks for the ideas!

 

[sphelps]

Re: Pontoon rebuild / redesign

Just do belly flops!!

 

[GT1000000]

Re: Pontoon rebuild / redesign

Hey Brutha,

Glad to see you are keeping busy...even though the lake house is not an actual part of the boat...It is, ya know what I mean...

Just waiting for the latest 'toon' updates...Stay Well.

L8R...

 

[toomanybzz]

Re: Pontoon rebuild / redesign

I have a 1990 24ft party barge that is rated for a 115hp.

Well I'm thinking about selling the 45 to free up some cash to make progress on the boat. I'm thinking a 115 like I have on Miss Morgan would improve things a lot.....I love the inline mercs! They just have an attitude when you look at them! Nothing else quite like them! What would be better is twin mercs!

Speaking of upgrades, can anyone tell me how they rate pontoons? Mine doesn't have a max HP rating or anything like that on the stern. Right now that is a gray area for me, what I can upgrade to.

 

[archbuilder]

Re: Pontoon rebuild / redesign

Yeah I think that might be the right size, the 45 isn't going to cut it....I like going faster than 5mph! Just so you guys don't think I'm slaking....this is what I have been up too....

Not bad for one guy....all my buddies seem to disappear when the words "rebar" or "concrete" are mentioned, lol!

Hopefully I can get this wrapped up and back on the boat soon!

 

[jbcurt00]

Re: Pontoon rebuild / redesign

Umm, best rebar & concrete form work I've ever seen on iBoats...?!?!?!?!?!?!

It's all good though.... Can't leave the border unprotected.

Out there in frontier country, I like to recommend a nice sized carbon-fiber trebuchet as a deterrent to wall breaches.

Have a great week!

 

[sphelps]

Re: Pontoon rebuild / redesign

Man Arch , If I were closer I would definitely give you hand with your footing! It's sure refreshing to see an architect that gets there hands dirty and can actually build something! Most of the one's I deal with at work could never or would never be able to form and pour a retaining wall like that.
Nice work!

 

[archbuilder]

Re: Pontoon rebuild / redesign

Umm, best rebar & concrete form work I've ever seen on iBoats

I did see someone building a concrete boat somewhere.....I think it might have been during WW II.....guess you would have have any issues with wet foam,

It's sure refreshing to see an architect that gets there hands dirty and can actually build something! Most of the one's I deal with at work could never or would never be able to form and pour a retaining wall like that.

Thanks, I have this theory...."you can't design until you have actually worked with the materials and understand them". There aren't many trades that I haven't at least tried. Too many architect draw lines, not building parts.

As for the boat, I think I'm going to try to rig up the 45 hp where I can run it on the stand. Once I have that done I'm going to put it on Craigslist. Any one have any idea what it is worth? it an 87, no tilt or trim. I'm also going to try to get the 90 off the "free boat", trash the hull and sell the trailer. I might be able to free up a little funding for the project that way.

 

[jbcurt00]

Re: Pontoon rebuild / redesign

I did see someone building a concrete boat somewhere.....I think it might have been during WW II.....guess you would have have any issues with wet foam.

These guys have a booth across from us at a trade show in March every year... Bring the canoe w/ them every year. Between the concrete canoe, the frozen wood pulp WW2 'boat' and the Myth Buster's duct tape jon boat & frozen wet newspaper boat, I guess we've got options

 

[ezmobee]

Re: Pontoon rebuild / redesign

As for the boat, I think I'm going to try to rig up the 45 hp where I can run it on the stand. Once I have that done I'm going to put it on Craigslist. Any one have any idea what it is worth? it an 87, no tilt or trim.

Try for $750, take anything over $499

 

[archbuilder]

Re: Pontoon rebuild / redesign

I think I will let them handle the concrete boat design, lol! Thanks for the input EZ.