Two Rebuilds, Three Generations: Thomas’ 1993 Sylvan

The Family Boat Thomas Couldn’t Let Go

Thomas’s grandfather’s pontoon held years of family memories long before it became a renovation project. The 1993 Sylvan had carried the family along the Caloosahatchee River during Thomas’s childhood. 

After his grandfather passed away in 2010, the boat remained on the lift for years. The motor no longer worked, and the upholstery had become completely dry rotted.

In 2019, Thomas was newly married and thinking about starting a family of his own. He asked his grandmother if he could take over the boat and bring it back to life. She said yes.

For Thomas, the pontoon was a connection to some of the best days of his childhood and a chance to carry those experiences forward.

Rebuilding the Sylvan Through Trial And Error

Thomas stripped the 1993 Sylvan down to the frame and worked on it while it sat on the lift.

He spent all his spare time on the project, working through Florida heat and rain and buying parts as he saved enough money. Because he didn’t have renovation experience, the first rebuild became a process of research, patience, and trial and error.

Thomas used as many original pieces as he could, including the rails and fencing. He also installed a replacement two-stroke motor to get the pontoon back on the river.

The reward came when he was finally able to take his family out on the restored boat. 

One of the most meaningful trips was a Fourth of July outing with his grandmother. As they watched the fireworks from the water, she shared memories of similar family outings from decades earlier. For Thomas, that moment made the work behind the first rebuild worthwhile.

Vwo Rebuilds, One Family Legacy

Across both renovations, Thomas replaced or updated nearly every major part of the pontoon. For him, the history behind the Sylvan gave him a reason to keep rebuilding.

Motor Failure, Hurricane Damage, And Alignment Problems

Thomas’s first rebuild brought the Sylvan back to the water, but the project wasn’t finished for good.

In 2022, Thomas planned to take his pregnant wife, mother, and sisters out during scallop season. The outing was going well until the two-stroke motor failed after the oil injector stopped working. The family was left stranded and needed a tow back.

Then, shortly after he installed a replacement motor, Hurricane Milton struck. The winds broke the structure covering the pontoon. The falling material crushed the fencing, ripped the seats, and broke the console. The new motor was unharmed, but much of the boat needed to be replaced again.

Thomas began the second overhaul in December 2024. One of the hardest parts of the rebuild was working with original cross members that were no longer square with the pontoons. Adding cross braces and getting the measurements even required extra adjustments.

Through it all, Thomas kept going on the thought of how much fun his family would have together once it was done.

Back On The Water With His Daughters

Thomas completed the second DIY renovation in March 2026, with his daughter beside him through much of the project. While he worked, she often asked if she could come help with the “bow,” even though she didn’t yet understand what it was for. Those moments became part of the reason he kept going.

Thomas now has two daughters. When he looks back from the helm and sees them laughing on the water, he sees the same kind of family memories that shaped his own childhood.

The 1993 Sylvan has now been rebuilt twice. Its decking, flooring, seating, fencing, electrical systems, console, motor, and accessories have all changed. What hasn’t changed, is its place in the family.

For Thomas, the finished boat is still a connection to his grandfather, rebuilt bolt by bolt so the memories of one generation can become part of the next.

Start Your Pontoon Renovation

Thomas’s renovation shows why a complete pontoon overhaul should begin with a realistic budget and a plan. Whether you're replacing a floor, rebuilding your seating, updating the fencing, or starting from the frame up, PontoonStuff has the parts and tools to help bring your boat back to life.

For extra guidance, check out videos from West Michigan boating expert Tom’s Toons, and our Restoration Resources, or begin planning your layout with the PontoonStuff Designer Tools.