More Than a Boat: A Tribute to Family, Fishing, and Fresh Starts
Maurice Chessmore, South Dakota, spent countless childhood weekends casting a fishing line at as many lakes and rivers as he could get to. That love for fishing never faded—it only grew stronger as he started his own family and raised kids who loved the water as much as he did.
Turning a Classic Pontoon into a Legacy
In the summer of 2024, Maurice proposed a few alterations for his father’s 1980 Leisure Island pontoon boat. What started as minor upgrades soon turned into a complete overhaul to turn the boat into the ultimate fishing vessel.
After deciding to purchase the boat from his father, Maurice–armed with an arsenal of YouTube tutorials (don’t worry, we’ll share!) and an outpouring of family support–brought the life back to this well-loved pontoon for years of fishing trips to come.
Navigating The Renovation Process
Using products from PontoonStuff, Maurice kicked off this 8-month project in July 2024, and his family made sure he was never on his own with his aspirations.
Pontoon Rebuild: A Family Project
The Chessmore family steadily worked through full installations of new decking and flooring, electrical systems, and luxury seating until nearly every component was replaced.
In addition to revising the very foundation of his boat, Maurice decked it out with a full suite of LED lighting, a deluxe helm with USB ports, and a custom console.
A few added accessories, like stylish new Bimini tops and reliable ladders for extra safety and convenience, pulled the look together. Maurice even extended the deck by three feet to make sure none of his kids got left at home on the next fishing trip.
Overcoming the Challenges of Pontoon Restoration
Refurbishing a 1980s pontoon came with its fair share of surprises: miscut plywood, uneven railing, and a faulty trailer bumper that led to some banged-up pontoons, to name a few.
Besides being on a tight budget for parts, one of the biggest challenges was time. Between work, church, kids’ activities, and a one-year-old son to care for, squeezing boat work into the schedule was a struggle.
Still, progress happened in stolen hours, and the Chessmore family’s passion never wavered. Maurice’s daughters (plus his toddler!), brothers, friends, and wife, Samantha, stood by him to get their beloved vessel on the water.
The (Not New, but Definitely Improved) Chessmore Pontoon
While the final fishing setup is slated to be done by Fall 2025, the boat is nearly water-ready and already a source of pride and anticipation for family days spent fishing.
Maurice’s favorite part? The time spent with the people who helped him build it.
