Some Pictures of my Wooden Pontoon

[WoodenPontoon]

Here are some pictures of my boat which I have been working on for 11 years. Seriously planning a launch this year.












I'll post more later.

[Yeadon]

A strip-built party barge. Amen brother.

[DGentry]

Every boat should have a couch. Nice!

[scooter24]

This will be one fine looking pontoon, the woodpattern is impressive, please post more pictures as it progresses.

[PaulT]

That is way cool!. Beautiful work. I'll join the chorus..More pics please!

[WoodenPontoon]

Thought I'd add a few more pictures of my boat. I'm currently working on the fences and gates.


Forward Fence with Veneer blocked in.


Forward Fence Framing.


Fitting Forward Gate.



Vacuum Bagging Forward Gate.


Veneered Rough-Sized Panel.


Panel Fitted into Gate.

[WoodenPontoon]

Started working on my console recently. Thought I'd post some additional pictures. I'm working very hard trying to have it ready for the Wooden Boat Show in Mystic at the end of June. I will be showing it in the "I Built it Myself" area.


Fitting my Helm Seat against the Starboard Rail. The Cup Holders help define lower boundary of console.




Getting a feel for the arrangement of the Console Components



Close-Up of Gauges and Panels



Decided that I didn't like original panels for small gauges. Made new ones!



Lower Panel with Steering Wheel mounted in place.



Trying to add depth to upper guage panels.

[24hacker]

Too cool!! Very nice job

[Tom Robb]

While I'm not a fan of pontoon boats, I certainly wouldn't be ashamed to be seen on this one.

[Lew Barrett]

My thoughts, Tom. You read "pontoon" and think; "I can afford to skip over this thread." But when you see what Dan Williams has wrought, you think again! Nice job, Dan!

[WoodenPontoon]

Thanks for the compliments guys. I appreciate your interests.

As you can tell this is a boat like no other pontoon boat, anywhere! I will post more pictures soon.

See you at the Wooden Boat Show in Mystic in June.

[Captain Blight]

I'm kinda impressed! Very nice work.

I've always thought that pontoon boats were a good idea done badly. They're usually grossly underpowered, enormously heavy, and the round hulls are unhydrodynamic as hell. What might make the concept work better is a big infusion of lightness, properly shaped underwater sections for the hull, and a small inboard engine in each hull. Maybe like the Kohler Aegis water-cooled twins, which are appropriately sized and quite economical.

[donald branscom]

Very impressive wood work.
In the photo of the dash board it looked like the washing machine dials were part of the display. HAHahahhah ....almost fit.

[WX]

Nice work.

[WoodenPontoon]

Hi All,

Been so busy trying to get ready for the Mystic Boat Show that I haven't had any time for the forum. Thought that I would post some pictures from the show. It was nice meeting some of you guys at the show as well.

Front View

Back View

Left Side

Right Side


Console

[ShagRock]

Impressive work and unique design! The recent photos very nice, indeed!

[JimJ]

This one could join the Mighty Pippin in a glass case in the lounge room.
Very impressive. i do like the veneering.
Congratulations
I do hope you have a fridge for a coldie.
Jim

[The Bigfella]

Yep, looking great.

What's the weight on the drawbar like with the wheels all the way back there on that trailer?

[WoodenPontoon]

Yep, looking great.

What's the weight on the drawbar like with the wheels all the way back there on that trailer?

She seemed a little heavy on the trip to Mystic. Fortunately, I live only about 20 miles from the seaport. I assumed that was because there was no weight on the aft end. I would guess that when she's ready for launching, there will be an addtitional 600 pounds behind the wheels (engine, 2 batteries, port-a-potti, gas tank, fresh water tank) and very little more on the forward portion.

If she's still heavy then, I will have to move things around.

[brad9798]

WOW!

Party Barge meets Victorian design!

Great job, seriously!!!

[brad9798]

I never thought I'd use the words 'pontoon' and 'elegant' and even 'wood' all together!!!

Again- cool boat!

[gert]

You sure can't judge a thread by it's title, can you?

Pretty impressive.

[WoodenPontoon]

Thanks for all the great compliments Guys!

I appreciate your interest!

[KMacDonald]

If only Nathaniel Herreshoff were here to see her!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[WoodenPontoon]

Have to make a choice between a 50 HP and a 70 HP motor. I originally bought and paid for in full, a rebuilt 50 about 10 years, but never took delivery because I wasn't ready for it. Now the rebuilder says that he can fiinish a 70 easier than trying to put together a 50. I think I'm going with the 70. Good Choice????

I put my bimini on this past weekend. It's really starting to look like a pontoon boat .......... except for all of the wood!

[arrowdog]

Unbelievable. I've never seen anything quite like it. Awesome work. I can't wait to hear how the maiden voyage goes.

[Tom Hunter]

50hp or 70hp isn't that important, but the weight of the engine might be. So I would just ask the guy what the two engines weigh.

[WoodenPontoon]

Unbelievable. I've never seen anything quite like it. Awesome work. I can't wait to hear how the maiden voyage goes.

arrowdog - Thanks for the compliments. I don't believe there is anything like it either, anywhere!

This is a very, very untraditional boat, but at least it's wood!

I'm planning to launch Labor Day Weekend. I'll be sure to post some more pictures.

Tom - I talked to the guy rebuilding my motor. The 70hp is only about 65-70 pounds heavier than the 50hp or about 270 vs. 200 lbs. My transom and center hull should be strong enough to hold a 115.

[oakman]

All right, lets get one thing straight here. Even though it's a pontoon. . .it's still port and starboard. . .

Lovely work!

Oakman

[Concordia...41]

I just wanted you to know I was one of the many folks milling about and admiring your work at the WBS. You seemed to be constantly engaged and answering questions, so I never got a chance to congratulate you on your amazing work.

Anyway, just wanted you to know that for every person that came up and said something, there were probably a dozen that just stood there silently.

- Margo

[Scot L T]

WOW! A few years ago I did some work restoring the vaneered dashboards of classic British and other European sports cars...the dashboard in the last photo reminds me of those. Next one I get, I'm sending to you. You've got the knack.

You've got to be complimented on a job well done. Cannot wait for the launch photos.

[WoodenPontoon]

I just wanted you to know I was one of the many folks milling about and admiring your work at the WBS. You seemed to be constantly engaged and answering questions, so I never got a chance to congratulate you on your amazing work.

Anyway, just wanted you to know that for every person that came up and said something, there were probably a dozen that just stood there silently.

- Margo

Thanks for the compliments Margo. I really wish you would have said something to me at the WBS. I was hoping to meet more forum members.

I was, indeed, very busy talking to people at the show. I went home hoarse on Friday and decided to make a sign that answered the most common questions. It sure helped for the rest of the weekend. I estimate that about 3000 people stopped to look at "All Spruced Up" over the course of the show.

Next year I will try to show it again. Only this time it will be "done" .... if that state ever exists!

WOW! A few years ago I did some work restoring the vaneered dashboards of classic British and other European sports cars...the dashboard in the last photo reminds me of those. Next one I get, I'm sending to you. You've got the knack.

Scot L T - The dash is actually not veneered, buy instead boards that were resawn and opened like a book. The wood is curly maple from my Grandfather's tree in Washington State.

I'd love to help put your next dashboard together!!!!

[Scot L T]

Book matched SOLID maple dashboard! Even better. And from Grandfathers tree...gotta love that.

It must be Big Leaf Maple (Acer macrophyllum) if from the Pacific North West. I love that stuff and use it quite a bit in my guitar building. It can get a pretty crazy figure going some times.

Haven't done any dashboards for a couple years as my buddie has moved on the redoing Mini's. But, for sure, if I get another request, I'm a calling ya.

[WoodenPontoon]

Finally set a launch date for my boat, "All Spruced Up", this Labor Day Weekend!

If anybody's in the area, come on down! We're going to have a big party.

[kilted1]

AMAZING..Simply AMAZING

Cheers on a great job mate

[NYCKiwi]

Nice job - I'm looking forward to pictures from the launch.
John

[floatingkiwi]

Powerplant?

[htom]

That's, that's, ... that's a PONTOON BOAT! Wow! Not at all what I expected. Fantastic.

[WoodenPontoon]

Thanks for all the good words guys.

90 HP 2-Cycle Evinrude Out Board


Finally Launched on Saturday Afternoon:

[Big Woody]

Congratulations! Have fun!

[essaunders]

Congrats on the launch! Sorry we couldn't make it down.

[Woodenboat dreamer]

Awesome pontoon wher can I find plans to build something like that it's exactlly what I want any help please

[wizbang 13]

wow. can I get the name of your drug dealer?

[WoodenPontoon]

Awesome pontoon wher can I find plans to build something like that it's exactlly what I want any help please

I don't think there are any plans. This was my own design. I'd be happy to help develop some plans with you for your boat.

Be warned ---- Its a HUGE UNDERTAKING! I spent almost 12 years building mine (part-time of course).

[Ian McColgin]

Follow the dream.

[Peter Malcolm Jardine]

A great thread Dan... congrats on your launch..!

[WoodenPontoon]

Thanks for the compliments guys. It was sure a great feeling when she was FINALLY launched. I can't wait to put her in again later this spring!

Sometimes dreams do come true! Don't ever give up on yours!!!!!!!

[Woodenboat dreamer]

Hanks any help would be greatly appreciated I know it's gonna be a very long process but I have always loved the art of a wooden boat and a pontoon like that would be perfect for my family and myself, my first step for me is to develop some form of plans to study then start the build, there is no way I could build something anywhere near that nice without them. So again thanks for any future help.

[WoodenPontoon]

Hanks any help would be greatly appreciated I know it's gonna be a very long process but I have always loved the art of a wooden boat and a pontoon like that would be perfect for my family and myself, my first step for me is to develop some form of plans to study then start the build, there is no way I could build something anywhere near that nice without them. So again thanks for any future help.

The first step is to determine how the family will likely want to use the boat (e.g. fishing, cruising, towing, camping). Take a look at the commercial aluminum versions to get some ideas. Work the best ones into your boat.

[P.L.Lenihan]

Beautiful! Lots of good solid comfort on board for friends and yourself to luxuriate in. Brings pontoon boats to a whole new level.Fantastic!!



Cheers!



Peter