A Legacy Boat Gets a New Chapter
When Dexter McElroy, Louisiana, and his wife inherited a well-worn 1997 Omni Cruiser from her late grandfather, the family knew they were taking on more than a boat—it was a vessel of family memories. After decades of Sunday fish fries and lazy days at the family camp, it was time to modernize this floating heirloom.
Looking ahead with a clear vision, a little time off, and some backup from his son and wife, Dexter set out to rebuild the boat in just seven days.
They named their boat Ohana, the Hawaiian word for family—a tribute to the generations who took it on the water before, and those who will ride it long after.
One Week, a Million Tasks
Dexter wasn’t aiming for a quick patch job—this was a ground-up overhaul. The project started with sanding and repainting the pontoons, replacing damaged braces, and switching out nearly every piece above deck.
Bringing an Old Pontoon to a New Age
Implementing products from PontoonStuff, Dexter customized every inch to suit his family's needs. That meant new decking and vinyl flooring followed by a fencing kit, all-new electrical system, a large helm and captain’s chair, and plenty of fishing space.
Dexter didn’t stop at looks—he went as far as renovating the underskin and adding a washdown pump for easy cleanup after a long day of fishing. Add some new corner and bench seats and a fresh Bimini to (literally) top it all off, and this boat was well on its way to the 21st century.
Teamwork Makes the Dream (Boat) Work
Being in a line of work that takes him away from home for three weeks at a time, Dexter knew time was of the essence.
He tackled the teardown in one weekend, then launched straight into the week-long rebuild, juggling boat work with real-life. Dexter recruited some support along the way, when his 13-year-old son hopped off the school bus or his wife had some spare time to join in.
Despite the physical toll and the pressure of a timeline, Dexter says customizing the boat without cutting corners was well worth the effort.
Custom, Clean, and Continuing Tradition
The McElroy family didn’t just rebuild a boat—they designed it to meet their custom vision by focusing on small details, like maximizing space by opting out of front furniture. This left more room to cast a fishing line and allow his family to keep making the same memories Dexter had made as a kid.
