Small pontoon design qeustion

Discussion in 'Boat Design' started by Tysonsmith, Jun 2, 2008.

  1. Tysonsmith
    Joined: Jun 2008
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    Tysonsmith New Member

    I have been looking at some small pontoons (14-16ft) for fishing but I would really like to build my own. I was considering buying the pontoons and going from there but there is a guy near me who is giving away some catamaran hulls from 14-16ft sailboats. Would this be a good substitue for aluminum pontoons? I would think that if the bouyance is comparable to regular pontoon than these cat hull would be even better due to the "fast" design. Comments??? Has anyone done this?

    P.S. I will be putting a 25hp on this. And it will have up to 4 adults on it.
     
  2. Trevlyns
    Joined: Oct 2006
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    Trevlyns Senior Citizen/Member

    Hi and welcome!

    My guess is that the cat hulls would not be adequate for your purpose. A 14 - 16ft beach cat would normally transport two people without the added weight of a 25hp motor.

    Best!
     
  3. Tysonsmith
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    Tysonsmith New Member

    That is what I figured. What if I were to make it a tritoon or quadtoon(if this would work) for that mattter? Would I still lack stability? The only reason that this is such a big consideration is because the hulls are free. How would I find out there bouyance rating?
     
  4. kengrome
    Joined: Jul 2006
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    kengrome Senior Member

    Here's what I think:

    1- The engine is WAY too big for a boat with those hulls
    2- There's not enough flotation in 2 hulls for 4 people

    There's nothing wrong with your idea of using 4 hulls to float 4 people, but you'll still have an engine that's way too big. Five horsepower will push a boat like this faster than you should be going -- which in my opinion is 8-10 mph max. Those are displacement hulls not planing hulls, so excess power will only waste money on fuel and possibly endanger you and your passengers.

    You could go fast more safely if you use two hulls in front and two in back. Construction will be more difficult and time comsuming this way, but the boat itself will be longer so it will handle higher speeds a bit more safely. It won't have any reserve buoyancy forward though, so you'll see how easily it buries its bows the first time you run it too fast in some decent sized waves ... :eek:

    But if you lay off the throttle and potter around at relatively slow speeds a boat like this might be ideal for a fishing party of four. It would certainly be cheap if you get the hulls for free ... :)
     
  5. Lei Kong
    Joined: May 2008
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    Lei Kong Junior Member

    are you interested in this one?
     
  6. Tysonsmith
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    Tysonsmith New Member

    That looks like it would have more bouyance than the hulls I am looking at. You could say I would be interested. Why do you ask?
     

  7. Lei Kong
    Joined: May 2008
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    Lei Kong Junior Member

    we put 21hp inboard engine on this boat, this is the hull of my first boat, interior is under building now...
     
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