Building the Ultimate Fishing Pontoon - Pontoon Restoration
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- Опубликовано: 23 июн 2023
- In this video we take a tired and neglected 2004 Bennington 20' Pontoon Boat and transform it into the ultimate fishing machine. This pontoon boat is maxed out with modern electronics from Garmin LiveScope to side and down imagine sonars, a 24 volt trolling motor with i-Pilot, custom lockable storage boxes, and so much more....all while still being a great cruising pontoon for relaxing days on the lake with family and friends. Subscribe to our channel to keep seeing more pontoon projects and all sorts of fun boat videos!
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Хобби
Have a 24' grumman fun ship with a 115 evinrude I plan to re-deck and re-structure for fishing....really glad I came across tour channel! As soon as I find a trailer to get it out of the marina I can get started...
Glad you found us! We should have videos for just about everything you’ll need for the deck, vinyl, and everything else. Let us know if you come across an item you haven’t seen us cover!!
Wow … that boat came out beautifully. Nice work
Thank you!!! I think they’re really going to enjoy it!
Wow Tom, absolutely amazing job. That is truly the perfect fishing pontoon.
Thank you!! It just goes to show what’s possible when you start from scratch with an all new layout and materials.
I O the Love of Buckeye is a Crappie Machine thank you Toms Toons the is Toon A Fish
Can’t wait for you to get it out on the water and learn those electronics. Study up on it so I can come down and fish with you to see it in action!
Love your videos. I am on my second refurb as I try to grow my business near Columbus, OH myself. Your channel has given me a ton of info and advice to do it as well as I have so far. Keep it up! Also, thanks for the discount code. Helped me save about $100 on a new decking kit.
Thanks! Are you starting a restoration business? If so congrats!! You’ll probably like our day in the life video I just shared. It’s hard work but a ton of fun, and it’s hard to beat being your own boss!
Yes sir I am. I am mixing it with a mobile service for my local lake. I enjoyed your day in the life video. It seemed realistic to how I was thinking it would all work. Do you always do customer renovations? Or do you do any buying and selling?
@@aaronberkley06 that’s awesome. It’s a lot of hard work, scheduling nightmares, long days…that are all worth it. I only do customer renovations. We did a couple flips to sell early on, but it’s a lot more risk to invest in all those materials not knowing what the selling price will be.
I want those anchors.
Love watching these videos.
Keep them coming Tom.
Some folks love the anchor winches and others can't stand them...I've installed several new ones and I've uninstalled several too. Just depends on the person. Thanks for watching, I'll keep sharing more videos don't you worry!
Damn good work. Now I think i need a pontoon.
Best boat on the water…bias but true!!!
Great job! I have started a project like this one I just need the welded storage boxes
Thanks!! Any local aluminum welder should be able to take care of you on that. Not cheap, but worth it to be customized to your needs.
Great video Tom, I have a similar length Bennington and it's ready for some restoration. I was impressed with moving the motor back to achieve maximum space. I would do the same. What affect would a 260# 60hp motor have on the ride when you move it back 13-16". I have 23"diameter toons.
Thanks for watching! I find that pushing the motor back gives a cleaner flow of water to the motor so higher speeds tend to have less ventilation or chances of blowing out the propeller. It should give better trim response as well by moving the motor behind the outer pontoons giving better leverage to get the bow up. I wouldn't expect any changes in speed really...we mainly just do it for the increased floor space.
Awesome, will do thanks again!
Tom. I love the vids for ideas. I just purchased a 2006 Crest Sunset Bay 19 to convert into a bay fishing boat. The gentleman I bought it off of re-decked and vinyl-ed it three years ago so less work for me. He also converted every light on the boat and trailer to LED. It has couches on either side in the front and the L-couch next to the captains console. It has that "indent" in the fencing to access the swim ladder and also has a spot in the back for a changing station. Both are a waste of space. In the back left corner is the gas tank under cushioning. I want as much fishing all the way around the boat for 4 people. My plan is to remove the front couched and put them back-to-back in the center of the boat or perhaps toss and get two captains chairs. The L shape is gone no matter what. I am looking to see if I can get a gas tank to put in the transom cavity. Once I do that, remove the changing station and swim ladder and move the gas tank (hopefully), I will free up about 16 square feet. Another seat with some sort of live well setup will go in the back. We will be able to fish all around the boat practically. I will also need to have space for cooler for catches.
Awesome find! You’ve got a fun project to finish out to your liking!
Well done sir!
Thank you!
Have you ever moved the fuel tank from the deck to the motor pod to gain more deck space?
We have not moved a fuel tank to the transom. The tanks are incredibly expensive and must fit the transom just right. Additionally, they are a ticking time bomb for water getting into the fuel and causing issues with the motor. We have a local marina who deals with water in fuel from transom tanks year after year....I just prefer to avoid that potential issue by keeping them high and dry!!
Thank you for your advice.
@@timcortright9796 Happy to Help!
Did you make a custom mount for the seats and back?
Also the seats up front, I found what I think is the base on Bass pro shops. Did they say if they stored them on the boat or if they remove them every time?
The seats are mounted on the fuel tank storage box. They've got a standard square swivel base that slides into a "quick release" bracket that's bolted to the storage box. Pretty neat design and still allows for swiveling. For short trips those movable seat bases can just be flipped upside down with the legs up, and put behind the captains chair or somewhere else where the wind will be blocked. If it's a long haul on the highway I'd probably want to strap them down to something or throw them in the truck. I have the same seats in my fishing boat and have had no problems trailering with them flipped upside down up near the front deck.
I have a similar Bennington with that same type railings. I want to keep the railings but change the dented aluminum sheet metal. Have you ever done that and is there a video on it?
We do have a video covering the basics of replacing the sheet.
ruclips.net/video/2cQ4hnxAVrc/видео.html
We're making another video of replacing paneling that's on the outside of the railing too. Hope to share that in the coming weeks.
PomToon
ToonToom
Did you just use two bolts on the rod holders? How does it hold up??
Yes, I did. I've done that for years on my own fishing boats where there's not a great place to run all 4 bolts. I've never had an issue fishing for catfish or trolling for salmon and steelhead. I always use the Scotty brand holders, they've just always worked great for me and the guys I fish with.
Nice
Thanks! Glad you like this one!
I need to know more about that trolling motor mounted at an angle!!!
What about it?? It was the best way to configure it so that the front door could remain closed at all times to make sure youngsters stay inside.
@@tomspontoons First off you've inspired me....our 'toon will be a mullet soon. Party in the back fishing in front LOL! I couldn't quite get how the angle worked with the motor deployed. Wish you had a top down shot of that motor left around (hint hint). :) Thanks for the channel....good stuff.
@@haroldcrumbie126 I don’t, I’m sorry!! I basically just angle it to where it can stow and deploy without hitting the railing, and also drop down to be used. Mullet boat!! I love it!!
I’m sure you show it in the video and I just haven’t seen it yet but how do you move the transom back? I’ve got a 25’ Tracker pontoon boat that is set up like what you currently have and I would love to add more area in the back for fishing, and overall just more functionality.
One other question when moving the transom backwards, does that help the boat overall as far as throttle response etc. or really no difference? Mine has a 60 hp Bigfoot mercury on it.
Thank you again and looking good buddy!
Around the 3:30 mark I explain it in detail. I've got other videos that break the transom move down too. Moving the motor back, when high enough HP, can help with trim response and steering at higher speeds. I've seen a few folks mention they get a few MPH more doing it...likely from getting more out of the trim to lift the bow slightly. With a 60 hp I'd imagine it'll mostly benefit you just getting that extra deck space back.
What are your thoughts on using sealed oak or african teak for some of the acessory furniture as far as storage?
I would probably lean more towards Teak just knowing it’s so widely used in marine applications. That area isn’t my expertise, so you might get a better answer from a local wood shop that sells/specializes in different woods. We did a teak bar top on a double decker project last year and it’s still in great shape aside from needing to be oiled once or twice a year to keep it from drying out.
Great Job! Looks fantastic. I'm currently rebuilding a 1998 21.5' Harris Fishing float boat. Gutted all furniture and replaced with luxury seating from Pontoon stuff. going to replace the rails when available. I have done the sheeting already but rails are in bad shape. It is a center console and has been cut on so much I want to replace it. Where can I find a fishing style center console, rod lockers, and live wells? Thank you for your videos!
Pontoon Stuff will be coming out with a livewell that fits in their 28” or 38” bench at some point here. I’ve seen a prototype and it’s pretty slick. Otherwise Great Lakes Skipper is good for odds n ends stuff like center consoles, rod lockers, corner livewell, and such. I welded these boxes up and would weld a livewell too if need be.
@@tomspontoons Thank you Tom!
I’m re-furbishing my pontoon boat now. I love those movable seats. I was able to find the actual seats at millennium marine but not the bases. Can you advise where you got those? Thanks much!
They're great! I use them on Pontoons all the time and in my own fishing boat. You can get them at Cabelas or Bass Pro, or even on Amazon:
Wise 8WD1234 Portable Seat Stand for Boat Seats, Black Powder Coat Finish
@@tomspontoons thanks much!
Happy to help!
@@tomspontoons hi Tom, quick question. I bought both the seats and the stands on Amazon, but the holes for the stand does not line up with the seats. Did you get the quick release stand?
@@thedomesticmonk772 For those seat bases I use a swivel between the seat and the base. Those are pretty universal for fit in the whole marine industry. Search this on Amazon:
Attwood 17720 Seat Swivel, for Boat Seat, 6 ¼ Inches, 0-Degrees Tilt, Aluminum, Black Power Coated
I need that fencing
It’s coming soon!!! Hoping they release it as kits in all colors in the fall…the sooner the better!
Any updates on the fencing availability?
Who is this boat for? I live in columbus and have my boat on Hoover Reservoir at the Buckeye Boat Club. Is this where they are keeping it?
It is indeed on Hoover Reservoir, but not sure which marina they are part of. It's certainly a one of a kind boat the way it's decked out for fishing...so can't miss it if it's slipped near you!
@@tomspontoons crazy thing is that they are a member of the buckeye boat club that we belong to. I found out who it is. Small world!
Great customer to work with on his project! Obviously I can’t give out names, but figured if you saw the video and saw the boat in person you’d know it was the same one. He’s got stuff that NO other boat has!!
O-H
I-O! (Not a fan, but I appreciate the reference!)
She's Beautiful 😢
Fishing machine!! How’s yours coming along?
The floor is the last major investment, and then it's time to grind. In fact, the woven vinyl was recently restocked. I placed an order when two were available, but unfortunately, it sold before my payment was cleared so I was refunded. It was probably a blessing from above bc we have a full plate where timing on many things has been the story. After the floor investment, a quality sonar will complete the restore. I admire the people who can get right to it; however, I shouldn't be so criticle bc my retirement was unexpected, and considering that, I'm moving along at a good clip. It just eats at me that the uncontrollable and Murphy are on the same team... the other team. Thx for askin'.
@@awakenedtotruth8419 To tell you the truth, it seems like a good portion of pontoon restorations take a summer season to complete start to finish...almost like taking the summer weather season to prepare it for the next year. Nothing wrong with that. There are plenty of moving pieces to go right along with the stuff we have to do in life too. Plus, I always tell folks that pontoon restoration isn't "cheap", but it's a lot cheaper than buying a new boat!! You'll get to it and it'll be well worth the time and patience!
@tomspontoons Your words are comforting like a PontoonStuff luxury captain's high back chair. I'm confident that you realize that through our communication, I remain excited about my restoration progress. I really didn't want the viewing family to assume I was the Debbie downer. It is difficult to interpret how what's written will be received. I assure you and anyone reading along that this life experience is gratifying and satisfying. Anyone who has restored anything knows as you said Tom will be worth it and make the best storytelling of your life ✨️
@@awakenedtotruth8419 perfectly said!