Using a small pontoon for transport replace 12 ft

[katahdin]

Advise / comments on using a small pontoon for transport to upgrade / replace my 12 and 14 ft alum boat that I have used with an 8 /15 / 6 / over the years and currently an old evinrude 4 hp to my camp that's 1 - 1 1/4 mile from the landing in northern maine.

the first quarter mile or more tends to be relatively protected, but the last bit is in open water to north and south winds and regularly have white caps - small & medium. I shy away if it gets worse than that. Wondering how a small pontoon boat 12-14-16 " would handle that.

I had an older 24' suntracker party boat but didn't use it much for back & forth, it had A 90 hp which seemed to heavy for the boat. One of the issues was that the landing is very shallow and we were unable to launch it when the water was low (or average) - so I had to depend way too much on help from others.

Since we're retired, its getting a bear (arthritis) getting in and out of a fishing boat so think it would be nice to just step off a pontoon with our supplies.

I've seen many 16 & 18 ' but wonder if there are 12 - 14 footers ! Heck, I've used my 12 foot to transport several gas refrigerator back and forth, plus wood stoves etc. My floating dock is 8 X 16 so it seems that a 7 or 8 X 12 would be plenty big !

Thanks for reading and any assistance.

 

[EGlideRider]

Re: Using a small pontoon for transport replace 12 ft

The pontoon will handle it better than your aluminum fishing boat. The pontoon will not sink as is possible with the fishing boat. Use common sense and you'll be very satisfied with the pontoon.

The 12 to 14 footers are very scarce. There is little difference in the draw of a 14 and 18 footer so I highly recommend you consider the longer pontoon.

Good luck and welcome to the forum.

 

[rogerwa]

Re: Using a small pontoon for transport replace 12 ft

I think Gilgetter and Kennedy make these sizes..

http://www.gillgetter.com/gillgetter.php

Here is a Kennedy 17'er that looks pretty managable

http://www.kennedypontoons.com/1700Sundeck.html

 

[Jeep Man]

Re: Using a small pontoon for transport replace 12 ft

Katahdin, you didn't put your location in your profile so I don't know if this helps. There is a mfg. in Ontario called U-Fab that builds many sizes and you can buy them loaded or with bare deck. Might fit the bill if you are near them or near one of their dealers. Also, bunk trailers sit fairly high so launching in shallow water can be problematic. However, scissor style trailers need hardly any water at all.

 

[luckyjr]

Re: Using a small pontoon for transport replace 12 ft

It would be pretty easy to cut yours down to the size you want. I would cut a section out of the middle and make one weld per toon. Personally I like a toon filled with styrofoam. Then for sure it want sink.

 

[DECK SWABBER 58]

Re: Using a small pontoon for transport replace 12 ft

Check out www.jcbolesboats.com

They have 8x12, 8x14, 8x15 and 8x16 pontoons. I just bought the 16 footer, nice boat and very affordable. Really a great guy to deal with. I'll try to get around to posting pics soon.

 

[katahdin]

Re: Using a small pontoon for transport replace 12 ft

Thanks all for your responses and comments.

Based on how few small pontoons are available used, I wonder why more folks don't build them.

I emailed with JC Boles - he was pretty minimal in his response and actually indicated that his boats weren't that good in waves. I expect that the wind is at 8-14 mph that I would still need to travel. White caps - hard to estimate - but maybe 12"-15" swell. Did you post pictures of ur Boles?

U-Fab link is http://u-fabboats.com/index.htm -- not sure if its the same place but a small engine / marine guy said that a Lebec or someone in Quebec sold lousy made pontoons.

So I took a gamble and picked this up https://picasaweb.google.com/106796540243913556211/Optimist1219Kit?authuser=0&feat=directlink It's a kit that a fellow never built that he got from http://www.custompontoonboatkitsetc.com/id6.html


Now I have to put it together !!

Does anyone have experience putting one together ? How about working with aluminum? Do I need special tools? Is there a technique to drill in aluminum? Is the flooring important or needed for the structural of the boat?

Thanks for all help

 

[rickdb1boat]

Re: Using a small pontoon for transport replace 12 ft

The decking of the Pontoon is an important part of it's structural integrity (Strength). I would go with 3/4" Marine plywood that you know will last for many years.

 

[MH Hawker]

Re: Using a small pontoon for transport replace 12 ft

And no it dosnt take any special tools and its not hard at all. Thats a real nice looking kit.

 

[junkman41]

Re: Using a small pontoon for transport replace 12 ft

what kind of motor are you plannjng to use on your kit?

 

[DECK SWABBER 58]

Re: Using a small pontoon for transport replace 12 ft

Thanks all for your responses and comments.

Based on how few small pontoons are available used, I wonder why more folks don't build them.

I emailed with JC Boles - he was pretty minimal in his response and actually indicated that his boats weren't that good in waves. I expect that the wind is at 8-14 mph that I would still need to travel. White caps - hard to estimate - but maybe 12"-15" swell. Did you post pictures of ur Boles?

Here's a link to pics of my Boles Boat.

http://forums.iboats.com/showthread.php?t=521505

Not too happy to hear his comment about waves, although we will be on small lakes here and if it is real windy "The Admiral" will not let her sail. At least not with her onboard, I might have to test her rough water capabilities solo.

That said she has yet to hit the water. :facepalm: Had to redesign the transom for my outboard (almost done) and then I have to finish hooking up remote controls for the motor. We are in our 7th straight day above 100 degrees so progress has slowed some what and I've had multiple projects going at once all spring and summer. She'll be in the water just in time for fall colors. :facepalm:

Good luck on your project, that looks like it's going to be a really nice boat. I think the only "special" tool your going to need is a high quality cordless drill/driver/charger with two batteries.