Red Neck Pontoon Boat

[biglurr54]

I can't believe this hasn't been run up the flag pole here on iboats but i have no problem being the one to do it. Has anyone built a 55 gallon plastic drum pontoon boat?

My though is to build a deck with pressure treated 2x6's and cover it with 3/4 treated plywood. Then build a pt 2x4 frame around the barrels at their half way mark. Then take copper strapping and put two bands around each barrel. One in front one in back. Align the bungs so they are facing the back so water pressure inst an issue.

Double up the rear 2x6 for a transom. Bolt on your power of choice. Im thinking about 25 hp. This would be a displacement vessel and would be very slow.

Finish the deck as you see fit. Im thinking keg, fire pit, diving board, and then I'll build some wrap around couches.

YEEE HAAAAWW

I have seen one built like this in Maine. It was my buddies father that built it. It was done very well. Looked just like a regular pontoon boat.

Where is this going to fail as I'm sure it will somewhere.

Picking up 12 barrels tomorrow.

Let the fun begin.

 

[biglurr54]

Re: Red Neck Pontoon Boat

Here's a quick sketched blue print. Its drawn to scale. The rear section is 12x8 and the front section is 10x8. Its in two sections so i can pull it out of the water and transport it without a pontoon trailer. I'll just pull it on shore for the winter. Or pull the motor and leave it in for the winter.

 

[Woodonglass]

Re: Red Neck Pontoon Boat

Just remember...Any structure is only as strong as it's weakest link. Where's yours??? When you're out in a 50 ft deep lake and that link breaks "Who ya gunna Call?"

 

[zool]

Re: Red Neck Pontoon Boat

haha wood, thats a funny pic...is that guy up a creek with a paddle or crutch?

 

[idonthaveaname]

Re: Red Neck Pontoon Boat

50 feet deep or 7 feet deep I would make sure it was built right and that I could swim and add a few PFDs for safe measure.

 

[Alwhite00]

Re: Red Neck Pontoon Boat

op2: cant wait to see the pictures, will this need to be registered? That may be tricky.

LK

 

[jk33]

Re: Red Neck Pontoon Boat

Can't wait to see the build thread for this thing!! ^ But what Wood said.

 

[greenbush future]

Re: Red Neck Pontoon Boat

Weight will be an issue
Water logged wood yet another
Treated wood is always much heavier, 2x6 construction is way expensive.
Fire pit on a gas powered wood boat-nice!
And you want to strap a outboard and fuel tank to this thing and sink that too.
I would think a metal framed boat would serve you better but that's me.

Not a redneck thing, but I think this is a flawed idea, and it wont be cheap to find out either. Are your insurance policies all up to date?
Liability on this thing is going to be crazy costly, no insurance company will cover you IMO..

 

[Bondo]

Re: Red Neck Pontoon Boat

op2: cant wait to see the pictures, will this need to be registered? That may be tricky.

LK

Ayuh,.... When I build something like biglurr54 is talkin' 'bout, I call it a Floatin' Dock,...

No registration necessary,...
A boat lashed along-side powers 'em pretty nicely....

 

[jigngrub]

Re: Red Neck Pontoon Boat

Most states/municipalities/DNRs have outlawed the use of 55 gallon drums for floatation for any kind of vessel or docks... check with yours before building unless you plan to keep this on a private lake.

 

[sphelps]

Re: Red Neck Pontoon Boat

Find out how your buddies father,s is holding up that way you can improve on the design if needed . Make sure that thing is strapped together tighter than ****,s hat band . You should maybe figure a way to make the front barrels tapered or pointed to help cut the water. Mostly just be careful !

 

[Bumpus7]

Re: Red Neck Pontoon Boat

.
I don't think it is a crazy idea, or being a redneck project ... just check the rules first.

Go on YouTube and type in homemade pontoon boat or floating docks
and there are plans, and examples of many kinds, even factory made ones
using plastic barrels.

I'm considering on making a ( large party barge ) to put on a 60 acre lake
which will pin together in separate section, and stay in the water.

I'm not allowed to use a gas power motor on this lake, so I am looking into
using two trolling motors, one on each side of the barge mounted on the back
and run the controls for each motor to the steering wheel, one on each side of the wheel.

To make hard turns I will put one motor in forward and one in reverse if needed
and when I steer the wheel both motors will respond together, just like any
other two motor system.

Starting out with a 12 - 14ft wide and 30 - ? long barge which can
easily be added on to later in width and length.

Having a gas grill for cooking and a station with running water for cleaning fish.
Live well for fish and coolers for beverages.

Family And Friends,
Did I say Party Barge ...
.

 

[Alwhite00]

Re: Red Neck Pontoon Boat

Ayuh,.... When I build something like biglurr54 is talkin' 'bout, I call it a Floatin' Dock,...

No registration necessary,...
A boat lashed along-side powers 'em pretty nicely....

The op mentioned strapping a motor on it - All bets are off at that point.

LK

 

[wolfsmurf]

Re: Red Neck Pontoon Boat

Can't wait to see pics. I keep hearing one of my buds voices sayin " hold my beer an watch this" LOL.

 

[biglurr54]

Re: Red Neck Pontoon Boat

Haha. I live on a private lake so there will be many sea trials. ... and errors ... The total cost for the construction is under $500 for materials. That will pretty much build a large floating dock. I will have no problem registering it as a homemade boat in NY. Insurance will be another thing though. I might be able to get my home owners to cover liability because it will be used on my property. Each barrel will hold 440 lbs. My design will hold 5280 lbs. If this thing comes in over that with people on it then we over built big time. I am keeping weight in mind with the construction though. This will probably be a 2 year build. This year I am building the boat part and next year I am going to furnish it. Lawn chairs will do for a year. Once its built i will try a few nose cone type things to see if they change things. I agree that floating docks are easily built and work well. Unfortionately i agree that all bets are off when you add power to it. That's what makes this more fun then going out and buying a couple pontoon logs and working off them. I love to design build and create things that people say can't be done. I get the barrels today.

 

[mrdjflores]

Re: Red Neck Pontoon Boat

i built one similar using steel 55 gallon drums

the gap along the side is where the permenant trailer axle goes...

 

[m casey stock]

Re: Red Neck Pontoon Boat

i built one similar using steel 55 gallon drums

the gap along the side is where the permenant trailer axle goes...

WOW! Now that's a lot of money spent on lumber! Unless I just had the stuff sitting around going to waist anyway, I think I would just buy the old 20ft pontoon down the road that needs a total redo for $500.00 and have a good platform to work with. But, I know how fun it is to create something from scratch too so I can for sure see the fun in it!

 

[Bumpus7]

Re: Red Neck Pontoon Boat

.
Now if you have the money to spend buy this boat.

17' wide Two Story Party Barge .MP4 - YouTube

 

[mrdjflores]

Re: Red Neck Pontoon Boat

WOW! Now that's a lot of money spent on lumber! Unless I just had the stuff sitting around going to waist anyway, I think I would just buy the old 20ft pontoon down the road that needs a total redo for $500.00 and have a good platform to work with. But, I know how fun it is to create something from scratch too so I can for sure see the fun in it!

we had $150 in barrells, $450 in the wood you see there...still needed the plywood for the decking

 

[Woodonglass]

Re: Red Neck Pontoon Boat

I think this is a much better design...