I Guess this is where this goes???? :-/

Anyway, i was thinking of making a pontoon boat from a 4X8 piece of plywood, 2X4's for beams, and 2 big pieces of capped PVC for the pontoons. How does it sound?

Does anyone know where to get ~12"-15" PVC??

Thanks.

You'll have to find a supplier of commercial pvc pipe since there is no real application of piping that size on the consumer side.  Try any plumbing supply store, they can at least put you in contact with someone who can sell it to you.

As to whether this idea of your will float?  Dunno, I suppose so.

If you can find the pipe, fill it with expanding foam before you cap it. Leave off both ends, fill with foam cut off the excess and then cap it. Hoever you realize that pvc caps are flat on the end, doesn't make for a very speedy pontoon.

I just did a search for 12" PVC pipe and such and after thinking about what you wish to make I have to ask...Have you looked into any used Jon boat prices in your area?

You don't mention what you want to do with this pontoon boat but it appears that getting that size of PVC could be a problem in the quantity you would need.

Also, are you just wishing to make a raft? The cost involved with making a pontoon boat of this nature with all the materials and safety elements including the motor mounts would be much more than just buying a small used Jon boat, in my opinion.

Besides that, you may want to check with the local DFG and USCG regs in regards to what you are planning just to be sure your boat is safe.

This is just my opinion but I think you should look into other options.

Tom

You can get some nice pontoons at cabelas from 300 to 500.00 that you can use with trolling motors.

They would be a lot lighter and easier to transport than what you are proposing.

Sounds like something that I we did only yours is on a smaller scale.  We built a 12' x 22' "party barge".  What we did was to buy some old pontoons and then we built a frame over the top of it.  We used wide and long pieces of wood, 1x4's? on top and 4x4's under the bottom for the frame.  It looks like a huge floating deck and it looks a lot bigger since its on a 7 acre sandpit  ;D.  All it takes to push that beast around is a 50lb thrust minn kota.

You will have to buy the PVC from a commercial plumbing supplier and you will find the price beyond scary.

These will probably be a better and safer bet.

http://www.plasticpontoon.com/

There are also many companies that sell just pontoons. Do a google search.

Paul

Thanx

;D