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I got to thinking about this a little bit, and started thinking. do you really need a platform to stand up and fish on a pontoon. Couldn't you either stand on the seat or the frame, or even with a little bit of creativity, build something that you could stand on and attach to the frame on either side of the seat? I've never been on one, so I may be way off, but is this a possibility?
Fishin Fool;
Yes I think it could be done. Just give some of us engineers here a chance to look at it.
"Standing up, on a 'Toon", is a lot more risky, than it may first appear.
Pontoon boats,(all depending on size/width/structure, etc.) are not really the world's sturdiest craft to begin with due to their main design............ "light weight, easily transported, easily handled by one person".
Not taking into consideration, the large "two and three man 'Toons", but speaking of only the single person models, to try and stand up, say, on with a foot on either side of the normal seat arrangement, would not only be very difficult by design to get to, you would also, then be standing way above the boat's natural center of gravity.
Pontoon boat "platforms" for standing on, are built and integrated into the boat's frame in such a way as to place the weight of the fisherman's body, BELOW the main pontoon's center line. Any position ABOVE this center line and the boat and fisherman's balance would be risky at best, for flipping the boat over.
Most pontoon boats are also built with very little room, between the tubular frame sides and the seat's position, usually with not enough room to place your feet
securely.
Since you stated, that; "You've never been on a pontoon boat", then you'd have to also consider the fact that; if you're NOT "standing on a platform of any kind", then the only thing left is the frame and I don't think "standing on 1" to 1-1/2" square, or, tubular steel for several hours fishing", would be very comfy! Imagine standing on the rung of an aluminum ladder for about 5 hours, without moving your feet!?
Of Course why would you want to stand up to begin with?;)
http://i95.photobucket.com/albums/l1...517_edited.jpg
I want to build one of these:
http://www.jemwatercraft.com/pontoon.php
I do not really care about "Portability" so much as being able to stand with stability. Since times are hard I will just stay with my canoe for now. Dreaming is free.:D
Eric!
Now, THAT is just COOL!
Have you decided on a regular recliner, or are you going to stick with more "conventional seating", when you get yours built?
Looking at just the "basic" design of that boat, it seems to be one of those "endless possibilities", type projects.
A lot of it depends on what's under your seat (the boats seat;-)) I know that one of the early Scaddens (Bimini Twist) I beleave, had a soft seat with a solid platform underneath. You you move the seat out of the way and stand on the platform. If I remember correctly it also came with a push pole to maneuver with.
Hope it helps,
Kevin
Yes you can build a platform. I did but my frame is flat on top of my toons . It doesn't bend down between them like most frames so it was easy. 4' X 5' Piece of Diamond Plate Aluminum covered with outdoor carpet to cut glare and heat.
http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f1...ardiac1500.jpg
I can't fin a picture of on the water but here is an idea. The water has got to be pretty calm. With the standing plateform and the lean bar it is much safer feeling. I guess I could put a hole in the deck and take a bar to lean against.
I also have a cloth seat by NFO instead of the plastic that you could walk on.
http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f1...r/16450127.jpg
Here's a one-man toon that my buddy owns that is very stable. It has 20" diameter pontoons, that are 10 feet long. Like any other craft, it has a down-side. It's heavier than your "normal" one man toon, and you sit up too high to use fins in the water. It would benefit greatly from a leaning stand. You either row, or use a motor (which by the way could be either electric or gas) He has a removable wheel that makes it pretty easy to transport. I could supply you with more info if you're interested.Quote:
Originally Posted by nighthawk
http://s105.photobucket.com/albums/m...rfield2007.jpg
http://s105.photobucket.com/albums/m...arktrip003.jpg
Fly Goddess, I'm assuming you don't sit with the platform you built?
Quote:
Originally Posted by fishin' fool
I do sit. In the top picture I have the hard plastic padded seat the a lot of pontoons come with. It made movement a little tougher cause I had to step over the seat.
I don't have a picture clear enough to see the cloth seat. It is a NFO cloth seat that is very comfortable with two metal braces going up the back, but it flods flat to stand and walk on. Here is the cloth seat on the new OUTLAW:
http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f1...s/Outlaw-1.gif
That's a neat rig FG. My daughter has a Outcast Panther that has dual 10" tubes per side and the frame rides completely on top of the tubes like your boat does. if she wants to stand I might have to attempt to adopt your plan onto her boat. Question: Do you still have the ability to use the anchor system with the platform across the back like that?
Hi Darrin and I hope I can say MY FRIEND.Quote:
Originally Posted by DarrinG
My Anchoring system runs from just below my oar risers to a pullie under my seat so no problems there.
http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f1.../anchor003.jpg
http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f1.../anchor004.jpg
Modified my Minn Kota so that I have the controls any where I want them. I do lock the prop in the pull position and use flippers or an oar to steer, I just don't have to turn around to adjust direction or speed.
http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f1...r/Motor001.jpg
Absolutely! A small debate on something like a boat has zip to do with what I think of someone as a person! I have the feeling that if we could share a boat together for a day's float trip it would be nothing short of a blast of fun!Quote:
Originally Posted by Fly Goddess
Thanks for the photo's to illustrate. Much appreciated. My daughter's boat has the existing anchor system running just under the frame to the rear, front pull. If she wants to add a standing deck like your's, I think it can be added with no mods to the existing anchor system. The rivers we float the most has decent current and anchoring is sometimes very handy (in the proper situation, of course).
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v6...Pulleys003.jpg
Looks like it would work to me. The anchor system would be completely out of the way.
FG. You could get a boat seat like this:
http://www.basspro.com/webapp/wcs/st...004000_200-4-8
With a tall base you could combine sitting with standing. Buddy of mine has one on his bass boat and he loves it.
That just looks too comfy. I would probably fall asleep and fall right off LOLQuote:
Originally Posted by MikieFinn
I like a seat with a back rest however, to row A little support. I realize you could row with out one but if rowing hard (bad weather thing) you need something against you rear.
A standing platform can be added to a one person pontoon, but I think a whole bunch that do it need to like swimming.
A one man toon will not due. Need to be able to take the Missus and others aboard. If I do this I will put extra reinforcement under the deck and mount something like these for seating:Quote:
Originally Posted by flybinder
http://www.basspro.com/webapp/wcs/st...004000_200-4-9
http://www.basspro.com/webapp/wcs/st...004000_200-4-8
Probably use folding fishing chairs to start. If amy is willing to go i might build a nice cape cod chair for her.
http://www.furnitureden.com/capephotos.htm
Well, if you really want to stand and have that seat right there, check this out:
http://www.lilipadboats.com/
FG, Where did you find that? I think I've seen it all. It looks like fishing version of the bumper boats you see at amusement parks.
Max, care to elaborate? I don't think I catch you drift.
Thanks to everyone for their replies. After doing some looking and searching I see the error of my ways.
On another forum we have a little Canadian that is coming up with all these kewl boats.
This one actually makes sense except the price:
http://feathercraft.com/fishboats/index.php
Yeah that one is pretty cool. I'd like that option on my float tube.
As I have always stood in my canoe whenever the situation called for it and have never gone for a swim, I can't see having a problem standing on my pontoon. It's about five feet wide. I've actually stood in my 28" wide kayak. (they said it could be done and I did it but swimming is definitely on the horizon if you're trying to fish.) A breadth of 5 feet gives me ample confidence to stand on my pontoon even without a platform.
Now speaking of platforms. If I was to construct a platform it would mount lower down for a better centre of gravity. Since I am not much of an engineer a sliding platform would be beyond my capabilty and I'm not willing to give up the use of fins for "hands free" fishing. Which brings me straight to the point. Does anyone ever stand on their pontoon with fins on? I have stood on the seat of my pontoon without a problem but I wasn't wearing fins.
Quote:
Originally Posted by speck
I don't see were fins are going to be a problem on my platform with the cloth seat. Problem maybe getting up and down gracefully which is where a stabilizer bar of sorts would be nice.
Lowering the platform to put you closer to the water brings up new problems. If there are any waves or even rowing or kicking hard you are going to have a wet deck and more drag, plus a narrower width unless you widen the frame. Mine is sitting to the outside edge of my pontoons. But again, my toons are 12" diameter.
Joni,Quote:
Originally Posted by Fly Goddess
Are the retractable casting platforms on N.F.O. boats not mounted lower than the rest of the frame? I just assumed they would be because of the centre of gravity issue.
Quote:
Originally Posted by speck
They are, but it is just a smaller plate so you can go from seated position to a standing easily by stepping DOWN.
If your whole platform was that low, every thin on it is going to get wet. In my case a CLOTH seat, but even plastic. It would be like a "V" tube. You are sitting higher but not out of the water completely.
I have a battery, plus a basket I strip into instead of an apron. By battery I mean I either have the full size for an electric motor or a small rechargeable for sonar. I put carpet on my deck to cut glare and heat.
You can try it and let us know how it works.
I realize with the bigger diameter pontoons you might not be in the water, but lower. I am saying on mine you would, plus my frame sits ON TOP the toons, unlike many others.
http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f1...diacFrame3.jpg
Joni,
I thought your boat was yellow. Does the red one belong to your husband?
The frame is definitely unique. Thanks for posting that picture. With that frame you could mount a big platform and go down the Mississippi Huckleberry Finn style.
God Bless,
Don