Anyone built a pontoon float?

We were up in the Ozarks all of last week, and the resort we stayed at rented hydro bikes. I didn't use it as I thought the bicycle seat looked uncomfortable as can be. But, it did give me an idea. Ditch the seat, handle bars and bicycle mechanism.

Pull the 2 pontoon float assemblies a bit closer together. Mount the plastic platform on top. Add an ice chest on top of that. Gives me a place to sit and keep drinks and bait in. Long paddle and I'm off the races. Maybe.

Anyway, I checked hydro bikes website for just the pontoon float assemblies. They want $250.00 each + shipping.

Anyone know where I could find them cheaper? I've looked at yak's and haven't ruled it out, but want something fairly lightweight and stable, that I can throw in the bed of the truck and hit our local tanks in.

Here's what they look like. Appreciate any and all feedback y'all.

Search for "rowerwet", most of his builds are on Facebook. He uses builders foam sheets, Titebond glue, cloth and paint to build kayaks and other small craft. Build 2 pontoons out of foam, cover with the process of glue, cloth and paint, the process is also known as "poor man's fiberglass"

Another to Google is "wolfeyak". He uses the same process.


That will get you the pontoons, the bike power??? You are on your own, but I bet there are some instructions on Google...

Here is an "Instructable" for Rowerwet's Seafoam kayak, it is the basics of how the foam is cut, glued and covered.
http://www.instructables.com/id/Seafoam-Kayak-the-Unsinkable-Foam-Kayak-Anyone-Can/

In the picture section, there is a pic of several designs he has built. Warning building these are pretty simple, and can become addictive.

Marvin, thank you very much for posting that up. Unfortunately, styrofoam won't cut it. It has to be plastic. So far the only place I can find the plastic pontoons is on hydrobike's site.

Costco has a nice inflatable pontoon right now. Don’t remember the price though

GOOGLE "PONTOON KICK BOAT"

The Styrofoam is only the core of the system. Once covered with the "poor man's fiberglass" it is structurally sound.

You can get 12"x12"x18" styrofoam free from Tractor Supply or Northern Tools. They use the styrofoam between the utility trailers during transportation. I picked up 34 the other day.

I use this same process to build duck decoys, using bath tile adhesive over burlap. The finished product is much stronger than plastic and wont sink if you accidentally shoot it. Hopefully that will be less of a problem for your boat.

Your pretty......

I built a little one out of PVC pipe years ago. Here's the flotation #s for PVC pipe.

8" - 21.75 lbs / foot
10" - 34 lbs / foot
12" - 49 lbs / foot
15" - 76.5 lbs / foot

If you want to get creative with the DIY PVC pontoons

http://rebelcat.com/Rebelcat4-morepics

http://rebelcat.com/Rebelcat5-morepics.html

That is fantastic. I can't tell you how many different boats I am thinking about now. I'm going to build a fleet!

Super coo
.

What about food grade non contaminant plastic barrels? I know where you can get a bunch of those for 8-12 bucks each.