ALL ABOUT PONTOON BOATS

This is the boring stuff, but if really want to know how our boats are built, compared with others, have a good look through.

As a result of this, we believe that we are able to offer you one of the best and safest packages available, if you are thinking of buying a leisure pontoon or party boat.

We have now been supplying pontoon boats to the Australian market for just 3years and have over 90 boats on the water in all sorts of areas, although mainly in salt water.

The pontoon industry in the States is a good many years ahead of Australia. They have experimented with different shaped hulls, tried foam filling the pontoons,and are currently advancing their designs to cater for more horsepower and more speed. With these factors comes the need to build their pontoons with more strength and more weight. We have looked at all of these, and decided to stay with the tried and tested, round shape pontoons. A tube is the strongest geometrical shape and has the ability to distribute the forces imposed on it, more evenly. A round tube is stronger than a U shaped hull. The U shaped hulls requires blocks of foam or heavy bracing to support the flat panel sides.

Our tubes incorporate the "Airtrap" system. This automatically seals the hulls into three compartments and then traps the enclosed air under pressure to ensure that the boat provides positive flotation in the unlikely event that the hull is punctured.

Our boats have been tested to over capacity and do not sit as heavy in the water as some others.

Our 20 foot boat with a 60HP ,4 stroke motor, and a double canvas canopy, complete with trailer only weighs in at approx 1200 kg. In most cases this does not exceed the draw bar pull of a six cylinder car or even a small 4x4

Why are our frames fully welded.?

Our pontoon frames are jig welded in the USA factory, this ensures that they are built to the strict standards required by the USA authorities. Because they are not bolted together, we never have the problem of some bolts coming loose or not being tightened properly. In our boating environment, saltwater can have a huge effect on metal and one of the quickest ways to start a corrosive action is to have 2 disimiliar metals against each other.By welding our frames, the chance of this corrosive activity is hugely reduced.

Why do we put a keel on all of our boats

After importing the first boats, and then beaching on Bribie Island a few times, it didn't take long to realize that we should have some protection for the bottom of the boat. Having a keel on a cylindrical float tube also increases the strength of the tube by a huge amount. We asked the factory to supply keels, and they are now fitted on every boat. It costs us more to do this, but we think it is worth it.

Why do we seal the keel to the hull

The joint between the keel and the hull is not fully welded, this would pull the aluminium to much. However, we think this area should be sealed so that sand and small stones do not get stuck between the two. This could wear a hole in the hull. We use sealant/ adhesive that is unaffected by salt water to seal this area.This sealant is not cheap, but its the correct type to use.

How do we attach the floor?

Our floors are made of pressure treated ply, and come with a limited lifetime guarantee. The floor boards are attached to the crossbeams by stainless screws. Before being fitted, an application of sealant/adhesive is applied to the floor beam, which assists in anchoring and sealing the timber floors in place. We use a space age adhesive for this function, and after having used this type of adhesive for more than 2 years now, can guarantee that it will hold and seal these 2 parts of your pontoon boat together.

Why do we seal the floor boards to the cross members.

We know, from experience and testing, that there is a lot of water action going on between the hulls, especially when the speed gets up abit. The converging bow waves, in the centre of the boat, beat on the floor after a certain speed, and water splashes everywhere. We seal the floor boards to the cross members with the same adhesive /sealant we use on the keel.This strengthens and seals the floor and it keeps the water (especially sea water) from working its way between the floor and the cross beam. We also offer an underfloor deflector that will give the underside of your pontoon boat a smooth surface for the onrush of water to slide along.This is attached to the floor beams and is recommended for anybody specifying a pontoon that they wish to operate at high speed.

Why do we have wooden floors

Our pontoon floors are made of pressure treated, marine bonded, 3/4 inch, 7 ply Douglas Fir ply wood. This comes with a limited lifetime warranty against fungal decay and warping. The floor bears the entire load of the furniture and passengers and is constantly submitted to stress and strain from the water pressure and flow from under the boat. Ply wood provides a strong quiet ride. It does not flex and does not transfer any heat or cold from the water. Ply wood bonds extremely well with the spaceage adhesives we use, and the joint between the crossmembers and the flooring serves to enhance the structural integrity of the complete boat.

Why do we solder our under floor wiring

Salt water corrosion. Wiring does not have to get wet, salt laden air will go anywhere. We solder the the wiring joints and then seal the joint with shrink sleeve. The wiring is then run through a conduit and attached to the floor base to keep it tidy and out of the way. How often have you seen a fancy wiring connector rust out in our salt water environment?

Why do we put SHARKHIDE on our hulls?

We want our boats to remain looking shiny and presentable for longer. As a free addition to your boat we will coat the outside of the hulls with Sharkhide. Sharkhide protects the aluminium by forming a protective barrier between the metal and the atmosphere. Not only does it prevent streaking and discolouration that normally happens on an alloy surface exposed to salt water ,but it can retard growth attaching itself to your boat. Sharkhide is NOT an antifoul, but if you have your boat in the water for a couple of weeks at a time, then the Sharkhide can help protect it.

We also coat as many of the outside stainless steel screws and fittings that we can with Sharkhide. This prevents the discoloration or streaking that does occur in a saltwater environment.

Sharkhide will not crack or peel or discolor. (see more SHARKHIDE information)

All build procedures, flotation and stability tests are carried out , and then each pontoon boat is issued with its own individual Hull Identification Number. All boats are issued with an ABP ,Australian Builders Plate.

Our customers are also reporting back that they can sneak into all sorts of shallow areas that they would not even attempt to take a normal boat.

Pontoon boats are very safe and stable. Unlike a V hull fishing boat, a pontoon boat allows free movement because of the flat floor. Our boats are built and approved to carry up to 10,12 or 16 people.

So far, our customers have selected between 9.9 and 90 HP ( and 1 x 80 lb thrust electric motor) and all are very happy with that selection depending on their boating location. We don't sell speed boats, but we have tested our boats to 32 kmh with a 60hp motor and even a little 9.9 will push you along at 18 kph. A 4 stroke 25 horsepower motor will easily push you along at 25 kph full throttle and the 4 stroke 40 will do that at 3/4 throttle.

It is very easy to water ski behind one of our boats with just 60 HP on the back.

Many of our customers are baby boomers, looking for a relaxing day out, but their old bones and muscles don't work like they used to. No problem with our boats. Drive off / drive on trailers, front entry gates that give direct access to the beach, so you can land without getting your feet wet. We even build our own boarding ladders so that you can board your boat after a swim, with no more effort than climbing a few stairs

These boats allow you to stand up and walk around , stretch out, move about, anything is possible, because there is so much space. The ladies love these boats because they are so easy to drive, you can see all around, and when you get off and on the boat, you go through a door !!! not over the edge, like in a big alloy or glass boat.

( you need to take protective measures to ensure that the furniture components are protected from the harsh direct effects of the Aussie sun.)

All other warranties are carried by the product manufacturer or supplier.

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