I want to build a boat, have you?

[GIMike]

So, I want to build a boat, and I've got a specific idea in mind. I don't have enough money to buy a boat, and I love building things, so I wouldn't want to even if I did. I know there are a lot of pontoon boats out there that are pretty successful, so that's what I'm going to do. So while I had a concept in mind, I had to figure out transport. Then I thought, wait, why can't the transport also be the boat? A pontoon is basically nothing but a floor placed on floatation. A flatbed trailer would be the perfect floor. I found several small little flatbeds on my local craigslist for about $100. I then found several places to get practically new 55 gallon drums for dirt cheap. Put the 2 together, and I've got a boat! With each 55 gallon drum supporting up to 440 lbs each, and 4 drums on the trailer, I could safely hold over 1000 lbs (remember, you don't want each barrel holding all 440 lbs each, making them almost completely submerged in the water). That should easily support the weight of the trailer and me and my fishing gear. Yeah it won't be pretty, will be the slower than a slug on a hot tar roof, but I'm not looking to do any racing. Just some slow fun fishing. Anybody else ever built a boat?

 

[WickedSick]

Aren’t you going to have some buoyancy problems? And it might be dangerous if there is a strong current, waves or wind, but I guess probably it would be ok in a small lake As for the question, when I was still in high school we and several friends made a raft much the same way as you, but it didn’t last long

 

[FantWriter]

I helped someone build a pontoon boat when I was a kid. There was a long line of pontoon/house boats moored along the shore most of the year, mostly used for fishing or just to get out on the water.

Then someone passed a law, and they all disappeared. It was something about having to have expensive tests to prove there were no hazardous materials, and everything that came into contact with the water had to be certified for marine use.

My concern for your scheme is that a trailer is very narrow. Too much weight on one side, and the other side would flip up The whole thing could tip over. It'd still be floating, but upside down.

I think your first step should be to contact your local Fish and Game Commission to see what rules/laws they have concerning boat construction and licensing. That info should be available on the web.

 

[GIMike]

I helped someone build a pontoon boat when I was a kid. There was a long line of pontoon/house boats moored along the shore most of the year, mostly used for fishing or just to get out on the water.

Then someone passed a law, and they all disappeared. It was something about having to have expensive tests to prove there were no hazardous materials, and everything that came into contact with the water had to be certified for marine use.

My concern for your scheme is that a trailer is very narrow. Too much weight on one side, and the other side would flip up The whole thing could tip over. It'd still be floating, but upside down.

I think your first step should be to contact your local Fish and Game Commission to see what rules/laws they have concerning boat construction and licensing. That info should be available on the web.

Very good points, thanks for that information.

 

[FantWriter]

I was curious, so I checked out Kentucky's website.

The regs don't matter (your's are surely different), but I did find a neat video and plans for building a boat suitable for fishing.
Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources - Do-It-Yourself Flat-Bottomed Boat

I don't know what marine plywood costs these days, but it's probably not far off from the cost of the trailer and drums you were anticipating.

The best part is, if your needs ever change, it'd be a lot easier to sell.

 

[GIMike]

That does look pretty cheap and easy. Could probably be built (sanded, prepared and everything else not included) in a weekend too. That's pretty awesome of Kentucky to provide that information