Pontoons

[jdk6186]

Is there a cheap alternative to building the pontoons such as some sort of pipe or barrel that anyone knows about? If so, it would be much appreciated...I would like to build a pontoon boat but have little experience and a small budget. Thanks.

[LEE SCHNEIDERMANN]

Not sure if you've owned boats in the past, but I've found that there's not too much small budget about boats.
The amount you spend up front needs to be balanced with the amount of time you have budgeted to work on "the other woman", as my wife likes to call my boats.
Sometimes it's less expensive to pick up a used boat that needs some attention. Again you have to consider where you want to spend your time,.... on the water or working on the boat.
I bought a Ranger bass boat languishing in my neighbor's back yard for $500.00. I spent a month or so going thru the motor, electrical system, and re-upholstering the interior. By the time I finished I had spent another $350.00 getting it into the water. That's when I started spending the real money. 115 horses eat alot of gas! I ended up selling that boat for $2500.00 five years later. But I know I spent that in the first summer on gas.
I've given up on speed boats ( I've owned six plus a house boat and two pontoons, and two canoes, one of the canoes I even had a motor on!)
What I've come to appreciate are small quiet boats that get me off into places you can't go with those smoke belching monsters.
If you want a boat to carry a family on a day out, a pontoon is alot of fun. You can probably buy a used one alot cheaper than you could ever build one. The last pontoon I bought here in Iowa cost me $375.00, with the trailer. I spent another $400.00 on a good used outboard to push it around. With 5 kids it was a riot. Ended up trading it for a 30 foot houseboat. But be warned!! Once you get started you'll never want to leave the water. Good luck.

Lee

[Kayak Jack]

... I've given up on speed boats ... What I've come to appreciate are small quiet boats that get me off into places you can't go with those smoke belching monsters...

Couldn't have said it better myself. I didn't own the power boats. Dad had a few, friends had some, and I rented a few. Got damned tired of noise, smoke, getting banged around while "on the way to somewhere better".

Now the trip out and back is part of the journey. And, a destination is a pleasant place to layover for a while before continuing the journey again.