Pontoon Rebuild...

[Phil Lilley]

Anybody have any experience in completely rebuilding a pontoon?

I have an old 24-foot Generation that I've dismantled down to the pontoon frame.  Want to add a new deck, rails - basically everything.

I see pontoon part sites on the internet.... looking for may be more local dealers I can work with.  Any suggestions.

Thanks

[fishinwrench]

I have rebuilt too many to count. Pretty straightforward stuff, but one tip I can offer is to CLOSELY inspect the toons, transom, and frame AFTER it is all stripped down.  I almost always find cracks and stuff that I didn't notice before, while putting it back together....and that temporarily halts and overcomplicates the project. 

Also, unless specifically asked for, I'll never use carpet again. SeaDeck is SO much better, and easier to work with.

[Phil Lilley]

It had 5/8 in plywood on it. That might be tough to find in treated. 

[fishinwrench]

Oh yeah!   Be sure to use a square and tweek the toons & frame back as perfectly square as you can get it before you start reapplying the decking.  They are never straight.  

Especially if it is being built on a trailer

Square from the inside of the toons first.

[fishinwrench]

6 minutes ago, Phil Lilley said:

It had 5/8 in plywood on it. That might be tough to find in treated. 

You may have to have 5/8 cca special ordered.  No biggie, just might take an extra 10 days before you can pick it up.

[fishinwrench]

We did a Landau 242 once that the transom was a full 3" off from being square with the toons/frame.   You couldn't tell it just by looking at it, but that sucker was as crooked as a dog's hind leg.

[Phil Lilley]

Where did you buy components?  Want to put a center console in it.

[wily]

I haven’t ever bought anything from him...but someone once recommended for similar stuff

http://www.budsmotorsports.com/marine-consoles

he has a couple 

[Devan S.]

12 minutes ago, Phil Lilley said:

Where did you buy components?  Want to put a center console in it.

I don't know where you are going for this build......but I hope we get a full blown thread on it.

I've always though about buying a junk pontoon and rebuilding into an interesting fishing mix. 

Don't want a large party barge but big cooler and live well. Center console and rear bench for storage. 

[Phil Lilley]

I took some pics yesterday after I started removing the floor.  I didn't think about documenting it till then - but it's a good idea.

I'll start the thread now.