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It might be a simple thing to fix. you should check it first... like this: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ODLDCF5ZWik

Here is how I built the decking on the super light version. I won't go into detail how to use Tnuts and bolts to complete this construction. But if you need help just ask me. Plywood for the deck is usually a point of discussion. Some people insist you need Marine grade plywood. but that is too expensive for me... and hard to get in TN. I just buy good quality hardwood plywood and coat it with several thick layers of polyurethane varnish. Especially on the edges... I also use a Q tip after I drill all the holes and coat those inside edges really well. Do that and any plywood will last for years. Don't use the cheap 1/2".. get birch plywood, it's lighter and stiffer. If you are not worried as much about weight because you will use a trailer just buy 3/4" ply. Use the polyurethane on all wood parts... then paint.... will last for decades ....

Right.. just a nice flat surface you can walk all over ... something like this would be a good start: http://www.pondking.com/shop/pontoon-boats/pond-king-ultra-small-pontoons but 8000 bucks !... then I'd start adding storage.. live well ...

I think you'll be fine until you get a little bigger and taller... nice job on the boat so far. You might want to think about making a lean bar on a boat that small... it gives you a lot more stability and a place to grab when an unexpected wake hits you... a waist high n shaped bar right in front of you to lean against.... and you can design cool stuff to hang from the bar.. like a little table with a cupholder and a place to set your stuff.... a rod holder... just google 1" EMT canopy hardware... it's inexpensive and easy to take off when you don't want it..

The carpet behaves very well in the water... it doesn't get "very" wet... it has only a very light backing... you will need to see it to understand. It behave just like a mesh... water passes right though it... The drag of the carpet and flat front ends is also of minimal concern... since you are only going a couple mph with a 30 lb motor it's not an issue at all.. This boat is not for a gas engine... it's also not for big rough water... it works perfectly on small lakes with small waves. Just like the other similar products on the market. The weight of the water momentarily trapped inside the pontoons has another benefit. It makes the boat almost impossible to flip over... It's very stable....

Since cost seems to be a concern I will outline a generous estimate: Carpet $76 Polystyrene $170 (Or $0 depending how much you want to spend) Decking $25 Wood $15 railing $60 ( this is optional.. you can spend less) Motor mount $10 Hardware/ misc $10 Sewing labor...$20 (If you need somebody to sew your pontoon covers) Total cost $386 for the solid polystyrene model. For a version in which you will scrounge your flotation from "free" materials $216.

I thought a kickboat was a foot powered kayak... I'd never seen those before... but again the comfort aspects are in favor of my boat. You are sitting only inches above open water ... much different than the comfort level of this boat. I have an old office chair I modified to use on mine.. super comfortable.. super stable... Kick boats look like swimming to me... Here's another example of a boat I made... Way more boat for $300 than a kickboat or air filled pontoon... IMO...

It's not heavy when wet... that carpet doesn't hold much water.... it runs right out. it weighs about 45 lbs dry.. .about 50 pounds fresh out of the water. Easy to throw into a pickup.... even wet... A Kayak is not for everybody... this gives you a very high platform that let's you use a comfortable chair... the canopy is also included in that cost... a nice feature down south in the summer... A lot of people like the DIY nature of it... they can make it exactly how they want.... I agree it's not for everybody.... If you want easy buy a plastic bass raider..

If you want cheap you can fill them with empty water bottles or scrap EPS foam, I think most people would want to do it a little better... My cost estimate for the boat would be around $390 with the solid polystyrene pontoons. IF cost is an issue you can also use some solid polystyrene blocks and fill the gaps with scrap or empty bottles. Whatever you do the amount of buoyancy will be way more than adequate.

There are lots of places to buy it. I use these guys... http://www.drewfoam.com/ They will sell a 21" diameter x 18" diameter block for about $22. You need 4 per pontoon.... Shipping cost is pretty high on that stuff ... so you should try to find somebody local where you can pick it up.... this is another online guy... prices are higher though... http://univfoam.com/ you can buy this stuff from Home Depot.. and cut it up into circles: http://www.google.com/shopping/product/1?lsf=seller:8740,store:3128122207190988578&prds=pid:984924210147033064,oid:984924210147033064&hl=en&cm_mmc=shopping-_-googleads-_-pla-_-202090244&ci_sku=202090244&ci_gpa=pla&ci_src=17588969&gclid=CNzT4pnxu8ECFUgA7AodeFkAqA If you do this you can use the leftovers to make spacers like this. 21" diameter circles and 6" tall partial circles. stack them all up into about 18" high stacks.. use a little super 77 spray glue to hold them together. You will need 9 sheets per pontoon.

Cut the carpet into the sizes shown. you will have room for the circles on the ends of each large cut piece. The third carpet is simply cut in half to make the 2 wraps that will secure the pontoons to the boat.... see the picture... the 4th carpet is for the deck.

As Discussed in this Kayak thread: http://www.bassresource.com/bass-fishing-forums/topic/145620-kayak-fishing/page-3 I will post various instructions on how to make my mini pontoon boat: I will keep my instructions fairly brief. But if you have questions go ahead and ask. The first step is to build the pontoon outer covers. For that you will need to purchase 4 (edited, I forgot the carpet for the decking) of these carpets from Home Depot: http://www.homedepot.com/s/foss%2520area%2520rug?NCNI-5 I suggest the one called Ribbed Chocolate. The ribbed texture looks best to me, and the brownish color hides water discoloration best. This diagram shows the cuts sizes. For this boat I will assume that you will purchase solid polystyrene cylinders, so disregard any discussion of Mesh bags.

Ok.. I'll start a new thread.... the canopy parts are easy to get also... they use those fittings for making tarp canopies... you can get them here... 3/4" EMT canopy fittings: http://www.ysbw.com/Canopy-Fittings-3-4-Inch-s/6.htm

I was thinking of doing a build along thread if I thought anybody was interested. Most people that see it seem to really like the idea. It started out with me wanting to make a mini pontoon boat, but I soon figured out that the pontoons were impossible to afford or make from conventional materials. Most pontoon companies want about $1000 for one. I'm a furniture design engineer, and on a trip to China I saw a boat that looked like this one: They use them all over there. Pontoons are simple mesh bags with Styrofoam scrap inside. Needless to say that got me thinking ... How to make a junk flotation system that works well and was durable enough to be practical. What I came up with is similar to a roll of lifesavers. Each lifesaver is a mesh bag that can be filled with a variety of materials. You can go from stacks of solid polystyrene insulation sheets cut in a circle at the top end of cost, down to free empty water bottles. Seems like just about anything that floats will work... and work surprisingly well. The lifesavers are stacked in an outer cover that's made from a cylinder sewn from indoor outdoor carpet. That carpet is very durable stuff... you could attack a pontoon with a samurai sword and probably not get through it. It works like a fine mesh that allows water to enter the pontoon and surround the flotation, but then lets it immediately drain out when you take it out of the water. The final result is a very stable, durable and inexpensive pontoon that can support many hundreds of pounds. the boat in the picture with me (240 lbs), battery and misc gear never goes below the half way mark on the cylinder. I have boats that are over 6 years old and still going strong.. never needing any repairs or significant maintenance. Most people get scared away by the cutting and sewing required, but it's very simple. All you need to do is buy 2 of these carpets from home depot: http://www.homedepot.com/s/foss%2520area%2520rug?NCNI-5 only $18 each... Cut them into the sizes I give you and then take them to any upholstery shop or someone with an industrial sewing machine. they will easily sew it up and put in the zipper for a only few bucks. Ok... so if I haven't scared you away yet you are probably a good candidate to give it a try.... Still interested ? Anybody interested in hearing more ?

Yes... screwed and glued to 3/4" hardwood plywood with 4" screws. Surprisingly strong. More than good enough for an electric.

It's superlight.. only about 45 lbs finished...easy to throw in the back of a short pickup. Anybody with a little handyman skill can do it.. I'm not trying to sell you anything.... I have info how I made it... be happy to share it with you....

The retail world is awash with fishing tackle seconds and overstocks. Tell them to have a big box in that department of decent quality tackle that is marked buy any regular item get a free item from the box.

You can build your own for less than $300 from easy to get materials. If you're interested I'd be happy to show you how.

nice...I was thinking smaller...even a 12 or 14 foot would be plenty of boat for me... but a big used one might be the other alternative... probably cheaper too... Would love to see some pics from anybody that's done this... it seems like you could spend as much effort as you wanted on the deck.... even finished hardwoods or other nicer features to really make it a custom palace..... being a DIY type guy I love that idea....

Be bold... put on a mask and fins and go for swim...

Has anyone ever looked into doing this ? There are several websites like this one: http://www.u-fabboats.com/index.htm I think it would be possible to make the ultimate fishing boat this way.... It's surprising you don't see more. ultra flat and stable surface for walking around. The ability to build or add almost anything anywhere.... comfortable chairs .... Like being on your deck at home... Some day I'm going to give it a shot... I've looked all over the web and can't find any photos of a well done fishing rig... Why is that ? Are they considered "not cool" ?

How do you guys fish in fast current? Do you put in upstream and take out downstream or fight your way against current ? In my local river I have to struggle even with a trolling motor to get upstream, and it's always an overriding issue unless I anchor. I find this takes a significant amount of the "relaxation factor" out of my fishing. Like others have suggested I'd try one out in the area you will fish and see how well you can manage the current first. You'll also get a better idea what the mechanics would be for fishing, anchoring etc.... There is a definite point where current can become "unmanageable" unless you are floating to a pickup point.

It's likely an aluminum can picker.... recycling types use em....

It would actually be pretty easy... and you wouldn't even need your mouth... just put a coffee can of water over a small camp stove simmering next to you .... dip your lure for a second and pitch...

You could keep them in your mouth.... maybe that's the real reason it works ice fishing.... If I was a serious night tournament guy I would think about trying it... depending on the lures mass it would take many seconds for a warm lure to become water temperature... in that time it might generate enough contrast to look very tasty.....