Posted: 03/21/2009 at 9:07pm | IP Logged

My first wooden boat was an 18' square-ended canoe that I built about 20 years ago.  I used some of the same construction methods for the pontoon, which helps keep the weight down.

Posted: 03/25/2009 at 10:31pm | IP Logged

Here's a few more pictures of the progress.

Fwd Port Fence and bench placed on Deck

Corner View of Fence.  Could not get far enough away from the trailer to get a good corner shot within the tent.

Just Received my custom-fitted Snap-down Carpet.  Can't wait to get the rest of the furniture in place.

Most of the Pieces for the Stbd Fence Rails.  Almost looks like a kit at this point.

Should be starting the console and raised helm in April!

Posted: 03/26/2009 at 4:23pm | IP Logged

Hi WoodenPontoon,

What a thing of beauty! I sure hope you have space in your living room to park your boat over the winter, so you can enjoy it all year long. But then again, seeing your work, I am sure your living room is already full of your beautiful craftsmanship. Well done.

Bunniestone

Posted: 03/26/2009 at 9:57pm | IP Logged

    your fantastic project was the stimulous for my humble efforts.  it is nice to see a dream come to fruition.  if possible, would love to be at the christening.  i would even bring crystal (sic)  it is a champagne worthy of your project!  just double wow!

Posted: 04/01/2009 at 8:19pm | IP Logged

Thanks for the compliments guys!

I have the frame completed for the Aft Port fence.  I'm still debating whether to assemble the Stbd fence frame in the basement where it's nice & warm or move it outside under the tent and just build it on the deck.

This section of fence will be almost 15' long and 3' wide when assembled.  Outside would make handling easier and get some more stuff out of the basement.  My wife would like that idea!  But it's cold out there especially at night.  My glue might not dry properly .......  I do have a heater.

I'll be starting my console and raised helm soon.  I'll get some more pictures as that portion starts to look like something.

BTW - I did add a new picture of the forward gate a few posts back.

Posted: 04/14/2009 at 12:26am | IP Logged

I finally decided to build the starboard fence in the warm basement.  It is really a large unit and has consumed almost all of my small shop,  I was unable to get the frame into a single picture.  I am working on the skin units now and will soon move it outside under the tent.

Forward Fence section with aft gate frame & skin panel in fore ground.  Hoping to conceal the aft gate as much as possible.

Middle Section which contains a 'fake' gate section to match the port side:

Aft Section:

Almost entire fence looking forward:

Decided to mount 2 of my fire extinguishers in a box on the fence.  Still playing with some ideas for it.  It will be behind the helm seat and just before the aft gate.

I will likely mount an additiional extinguisher on the forward portion some where.  I know that I am only required to have 1 on board  .......  BUT it is a wooden boat!!!!!!

Posted: 04/14/2009 at 9:12am | IP Logged

I have never seen a wooden pontoon boat - just beautiful work!   Can't wait to see the final product.  Thanks for sharing.

Dave

Posted: 05/07/2009 at 12:10am | IP Logged

I have finally started work on my console.  It will be another couple of weeks before I get it done, but I thought I'd post some more pictures.

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

The Cup Holders were originally going to be the ends of my armrests.  I thought that I was going to make all my furniture.

Steering Wheel Close-Up

Getting a feel for the arrangement of the Console Components

Close-Up of Gauges and Panels

Mahogany Trim for Lower Switch Panel

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

Posted: 05/07/2009 at 12:30am | IP Logged

Love that dash/instrument layout

Posted: 05/07/2009 at 7:58pm | IP Logged

rrhodes wrote: That is going to be one beautiful boat when you are finished. Are you going to go with a standard bimini frame or is that going to be wood? How much do you think she will weigh?

Thanks for the encouragement.

Rick - At this point I'm starting to buy things instead of making them.  It's much faster!  I have purchased a square framed Bimini from Bennington.  I couldn't resist  ....   its mahogany    ........... colored!!!!!

As far as the weight, my estimate is between 2500 and 2800 pounds.  Very similar to an aluminum pontoon boat. 

Posted: 06/17/2009 at 12:32am | IP Logged

Hi Guys,

Thought I'd add a few pictures from my boat.

Some Pics of my Console Hood's Construction

Setting Up Forms for Hood

Laminating the Back Edge for the Hood

Starting to Apply 1st Layer of Strips over Mold

Adding 2nd Layer of Strips over Mold.  All Screws are removed after the glue sets.

Glued-Up Hood Removed from Mold

Fitting Side Panel to Assembled Hood

Laying Out Top of Console

Posted: 06/17/2009 at 8:27am | IP Logged

Do you build wooden airplanes too?  Some of your techniques look similar to building aircraft structures.  Amazing work; well done!

Dave

Posted: 06/18/2009 at 4:37pm | IP Logged

Truly a one-of-a-kind boat!  I can't even imagine how long that must have taken to build.

Where did you learn your craft?  I mean is woodworking something you do for your day job too??

Can't wait to see pictures/videos of her in motion on the water.

Great job and thanks for sharing.

David

Posted: 06/24/2009 at 11:10pm | IP Logged

Thanks for all the compliments Guys!!!!

Sorry for the slow responses!  Been very busy as of late,  My wife had surgery a few weeks back,  So, I've been taking care of her ( She is doing well, started back to work this week.), the house and sometimes the yard.  Additionally, I have been frantically working to get the boat ready for the Wooden Boat Magazine's Wooden Boat Show in Mystic, CT (20 miles from home).  The show is this weekend and she will be exhibited under the 'I Built It Myself' section of the show,  Surprisingly, there are 50 people exhibiting in that section.

Fortunately, this section of the show is strictly for 'land-based' boats.  Most of the entries will be on trailers.  I am not finished and there are several things that are obviously not finished, but she should make a very respectable appearance, none the less.  This section of the show is typically restricted to boats that are 20' or less.  I have been given special permission to display my 22 1/2' beast!!!!!!

This thing is huge on the trailer,  I had to borrow some boarding steps to allow people a somewhat closer view into her.

Tomorrow, I am going to disassemble the tent over the boat while the deck is still empty.  We will then mount all the topside components to the deck.  I am hoping to be able to take her to the Mystic Seaport late in the afternoon for the show.  When she comes home, I will work to make her functional.  I am planning on an August launching.

I'll post some new pictures very soon!