home made pontoon boat

I know its been brought up before, but I have a thought I'd like some input about. would aluminium beer kegs work as a pontoon? I have the ability to weld aluminium so I could weld them end to end and make the pontoon as long as I wanted.

My thought is to make a the pontoon boat, but instead of an outboard motor I want to try a side wheeler design. I really think It would be neat, and something you don't see that much. Thoughts?

 

Paddlewheel boat were typically used for shallow draft and so a flat bottomed boat would be most appropriate unless you were intending to go to sea. I think paddlewheels are neat, too. I have the notion that the beer kegs would be better used on the paddlewheel(s). Not sure though.