Introduction - I'm new to this forum

[WoodenPontoon]

Just thought that I would introduce myself and show you some pictures of my Wooden Pontoon boat that I just recently launched. I have been designing and building this vessel for almost 12 years. I have a couple of pictures in the "multi-hulls" category as well.

First Launch
http://i481.photobucket.com/albums/rr173/WoodenPontoon/DSC02478.jpg


Console
http://i481.photobucket.com/albums/rr173/WoodenPontoon/100_2710.jpg


Construction of Gauge Hood
http://i481.photobucket.com/albums/rr173/WoodenPontoon/100_2629.jpg

[missinginaction]

Well Wooden Pontoon,

First thanks for posting those beautiful pictures.

Really though, you've created a piece of artwork that just happens to float. What a unique rig. I've never seen anything quite like it.

Congratulations,

MIA

[Manie B]

Work of art

simply just too beautifull

[apex1]

A really unique vessel! Nice (the lawn around the console thrills me most):D

[hoytedow]

A masterpiece. Good choice of woodgrain.

[Submarine Tom]

Nice work!

[WoodenPontoon]

Thanks for the compliments guys. It really great that you have taken the time to read the post. She is a very un-traditional boat!

I have been told by many that she has an artist flare. I spent much effort doing things that I believe, only I notice. I book-matched much of the wood, like decks, rails, dash panels, but few people see those details.

Additionally, I love to use contrasting woods to add details. Everybody noties that!

[WoodenPontoon]

I have included some additional pictures taken during construction.

Setting up for Vacumm Bagging veneer to forward gate.
http://i481.photobucket.com/albums/rr173/WoodenPontoon/9_Vacumm_Bagging_Setup.jpg

Vacumm Bagging in Process
http://i481.photobucket.com/albums/rr173/WoodenPontoon/10_Vacumm_Bagging_in_Process.jpg

http://i481.photobucket.com/albums/rr173/WoodenPontoon/11_Vacumm_Bagging_Complete.jpg

Finished Gate Panel
http://i481.photobucket.com/albums/rr173/WoodenPontoon/12_Fwd_Gate_w_New_Panel.jpg

Building Aft Belly Skins
http://i481.photobucket.com/albums/rr173/WoodenPontoon/Aft_Belly_Skin_1st_Strips-400.jpg

http://i481.photobucket.com/albums/rr173/WoodenPontoon/Aft_Belly_Skin_1st_Layer-400.jpg

http://i481.photobucket.com/albums/rr173/WoodenPontoon/Aft_Belly_Skin_Removed-400.jpg

http://i481.photobucket.com/albums/rr173/WoodenPontoon/Aft_Belly_Skins_in_White-400.jpg

[Fanie]

(the lawn around the console thrills me most)
Of course, what do you expect after TWELVE YEARS of building. A tree can grow up in that time.
Very nice, tbh I'm not that patient.

[boat fan]

Nice work , Wooden Pontoon , Nice work !

[WoodenPontoon]

Nice work , Wooden Pontoon , Nice work !

Thanks! I appreciate the compliments.

Unfortunately, I've had to put her to bed for the winter. I put her under a very large "Instant Garage" in the driveway. At least, I will be able to get her finished before springtime.

[boat fan]

Are not boats like houses ? That is , are they ever " finished " ? :D

[WoodenPontoon]

Yes, you are most correct! Never finished!!

[Hydro Phil]

Just wanted to say hello before i started with the questions! Not sure where to ask or look, was searching for Thai Longtail Drag, Hydro type boats & kept finding this site. Am very interested in building one of these, seem to be 8-10 ft. long, with tiller/go devil/mud boat type set-up with 125 & 250cc 2 stroke engines. Anyone know of any plans or better information on these? Am currently building a 11 ft. tunnel boat, have older kids still at home & looks like these would be fun in the back waters around here- NW Ga. Thanks, Phil

[Hydro Phil]

By the way, one truly fine job on the pontoon boat, you can see your love of your talent everywhere!!! Phil

[ancient kayaker]

Like Fanie I am not patient enough for something like that but I am full of admiration for such an achievement. Oh, and we do notice and appreciate the details, those that show in a computer image anyway!

[hoytedow]

Check this thread.:

http://www.boatdesign.net/forums/post-tsunami/10m-thai-long-tail-8144.html

Oh, yeah. I forgot. Welcome, Hydro Phil.

[Hydro Phil]

Thanks Hoyt, Have been looking around on here & seeing the 10 meter boats, am looking for what seems to be 8-10 ft. longtail boat. Almost looks like a slipper, used in drag racing in canals from what i can tell. There`s a few of them on you tube, look to use a 125 or 250cc 2 stroke dirt bike engine. Hard to tell in pics, seems the bottoms of these are a mystery, seems for the speeds they reach they would be tunnel bottom or air entrapment of some type. Some on you tube are clocked at over 100mph!! Phil

[hoytedow]

Hydro Phil, check this thread too. It has a lot about Thai Longtail Engines.:http://www.boatdesign.net/forums/diy-marinizing/weed-eater-engine-conversion-1681-53.html

[Ike]

Beautiful work. I love the wood on the instrument panel.

[hoytedow]

WoodenPontoon is a master woodworker. His work deserves a place in Rolls Royce interior. It is that good or better.

[WoodenPontoon]

Thanks for the compliments guys!

The wood in my console is book-matched Curly Maple. It came from my grandfather's tree in Washington State. My granddad gave it to my Dad years ago. My Dad has made various curly maple clocks for four generations of our family. Fortunately, he still had some left for my console.

[Jislizard]

Very nice. I have been asking around the boat club for some tips and everyone has told me to avoid wooden boats. In Australia the sun destroys everything, how do you intend to keep the finish looking so good? I saw that you were putting it in a garage over winter, that would certainly cut down on the exposure.

As to your patience, 12 years is a long time to wait for a finished project but I have just bought my first Western Red Cedar tree seeds from eBay, it will be well over 12 years before they are ready for harvesting, I might have had a chance to erad a few more forums and gather a few more ideas in that time, however a floating living room does seem a good place to start.

Mark

[Ike]

There are lots of myths about wood boats. One is that they require a lot of maintenance. This has been spread mostly by the fiberglass boat builders.

Facts: ALL boats require a lot of maintenance. Have you ever had to compound and wax a fiberglass boat?

Myth 2. Nobody builds wood boats anymore.

Facts: There are thousands of wooden boats built in the USA, Canada, Australia, England and lots of other places every year.

Wooden boats, when coated with epoxy resin, keep their finish very well and if they start to look bad, a light sanding and another coat of epoxy has them looking like new. Good marine paint will also keep a wood boat looking nice for years.

yes, you have to take care of them but if you do the maintenance routinely they are no more trouble to take care of than any boat.

[Jislizard]

Thanks Ike, I only need one person to tell me what I want to hear and that drowns out the voices of all the people who tell me things I don't like.

I had a look around the marina and there are a lot of really ratty looking boat decks. I am told that most of them were teak once. I don't know much about boats styles so I couldn't say whether they were old or new boats but they had certainly seen better days.

I was wondering whether a cover (like the ones you get for cars) would be available but having seen the variety of boats (no two looked the same) and the fact that unlike a smooth car, boats have masts sticking out the top I guess you would have to make your own. shouldn't be too difficult if you make your own sails though.

Do wooden decks get epoxy coating? I would have thought that would make them slippy when wet.

I guess if this boat can be put in a garage over winter it can probably be kept in the garage when not in use which would cut down exposure to the sun and wind.

Mark

[hoytedow]

Covers over boats promote condensation which leads to rot. Cover must be well ventilated to avoid the problem.

[Jislizard]

Thanks for the heads up hoytedow, I didn't consider that, humidity is high enough in Queensland. We have a good selection of shade cloth over here in Australia, which being a mesh would allow moisture in and out (and probably have a wicking effect on any standing water) as well as cutting out a lot of the heat and UV light. Mesh would be lighter as well. However there is no point in getting ahead of myself, there is plenty of time to worry about the details.

Mark

[WoodenPontoon]

Well, I have now put my boat into winter storage again. I have some boatwork to complete this winter as well as some modications to make. I will be builging and installing lifting strakes. They will be inboard only on all 3 hulls. They should improve my speed as well as my gas consumption.

I'll post some pictures of the progress.

I have a remanufactured 90 Hp Evinrude on her.