Thanks to the many DIY boat kits now available to boating enthusiasts, you can build your own pontoon boat.
When you build your own pontoon boat, not only will you gain the satisfaction of completing the project yourself but also, you’ll have the flexibility to build it to the specifications that suit your personal interests, needs, and desires.
Furthermore, it’s up to you to decide what kind of engine to install on the pontoon boat, meaning that you can decide the horsepower, torque, and cruising range.
What Is a Pontoon Boat?
Pontoon boats are a type of recreational boat that relies on structures called ‘pontoons’ to float. Boat dealers have recently brought them back into the spotlight thanks to advances in pontoon design and application.
In the past, they’ve been pretty slow, making them great for outdoor excursions like fishing, sunbathing, and even partying.
Nowadays, pontoon boats for sale are much faster than they used to be. Because of the simplicity of the design, many manufacturers can offer a luxury pontoon boating experience with high-end interiors.
These boats for sale usually range from 14 to 30 feet in length.
DIY Pontoon Boat Kits
These are the kits that are sold for customers to build their own pontoon boats.
You buy a DIY Pontoon Kit to Build A Boat of your very own as a Recreational Pontoon, Houseboat, Work Boat, Transport Platform, Electricity Powered Pontoon, or anything else you can think of. Your imagination is your only limit.
You can buy these kits as low as $2,000.
If you prefer to build your pontoon yourself, without any kit, you can buy only Pontoon Tubes, and design your boat on top of the tubes.
DIY Pontoon Boat Plans
Your imagination is the only limit when you are designing your pontoon boat. Since the pontoon boats do not have any limits, you can plan your boat however you want.
Here are some example plans:
DIY Pontoon Boat Furniture
When the subject is DIY Pontoon Boat Furniture, the first thing that comes to mind is the pontoon boat seats. However, there are more in this category:
- Individual Seats for Pontoon Boats
- Captains Chair and Folding Seats for Pontoon Boats
- Helm Consoles for Pontoon Boats
- Seat Pedestals for Pontoon Boats
- Tables for Pontoon Boats
- etc.
You can find many different DIY furniture ideas online and I will give you some ideas here.
DIY Pontoon Boat Ladder
When the times come to decide about the DIY Pontoon Boat Ladder, you have a couple of options:
- Soft DIY Pontoon Boat Ladder
- Temporary DIY Pontoon Boat Ladder
- Permanent DIY Pontoon Boat Ladder
All 3 have advantages and disadvantages.
DIY Pontoon Boat Dog Ladder
Pontooning is something that all of the family can enjoy, and that includes our four-legged furry friends. But they don’t always find it that easy getting in and out of pontoon boats. Sometimes they need a little assistance, especially smaller dogs who can’t simply hop in and hop out.
You’ve got a couple of options here, you can either buy a dog ramp or ladder, or you could, if you have the time and expertise, build a dog ramp for your pontoon boat.
DIY Pontoon Boat Accessories
There are some important items that you have to keep in your DIY pontoon boat as accessories:
- Life jackets
- External battery to charge your cell phone in case of emergencies
- Signal devices
- Flashlight
- First aid kit
- Paddles (in case of engine problems)
- Sunscreen
- Pocket knife
- Extra water
I will go through them individually in my detailed article on this subject.
DIY Pontoon Boat Curtains
Full enclosures around your DIY Pontoon Boat cockpit can make your boat feel secure in inclement weather or when you’re away. So, it is important to have some curtains for your Pontoon Boat.
If you try to buy the DIY Pontoon Boat Curtains, they may try to charge you thousands of dollars for that simple curtains. Instead, if you make your own curtains, you can all get it done by less than $500.
So; I suggest you work on it and do your own DIY Pontoon Boat curtains.
DIY Pontoon Boat Trailer
Loading and towing your DIY pontoon boat on the correct trailer can be very easy even if it’s your first boat and first attempt at towing.
Other than their large appearance when on a trailer they are actually easier to load and tow than most other types of boats.
Picking the right Pontoon boat trailer depends a lot on, how far you will be towing your Pontoon boat.
If you are just going a short distance and only taking your Pontoon boat out once or twice a year, any Pontoon trailer will do. A painted or galvanized, single or double axle, scissor trailer, or even a flat trailer will work.
If you will be towing your pontoon boat a long distance or making frequent trips to and from the water then your choice of a Pontoon trailer becomes much more critical.
DIY Pontoon Boat Registration
Do you need registration for your DIY Pontoon Boat? The answer depends on the place that you live.
In general terms, you have to register your DIY Pontoon Boat, even if you have built it yourself.
If you claim a homemade boat, it’s almost guaranteed that you will get a “safety inspection” which is really having a DNR guy come over to make sure it’s really a homemade boat, and not a stolen one (and serial number is removed).
Expert tip: If you are building your own DIY Pontoon Boat, keep the receipts for the materials. DNR may ask you about them for making sure that you are the one actually who built the boat.