1988 Pontoon Rebuild

[@discoveryoutdoorskcfishing236]

Started with a Honda!! Win win!! Excellent resto. I need a Massive fish finder like you have, lol. I can feel Abra's eyes rolling all ready. Great color combo. Just an excellent job! Thank you for sharing.

[@enduringpatriot]

Thanks for the kind words.

[@dreamcreationsadventures]

Wow Tommy !!! They all did a great job !!! 🤩👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻 Totally different and oh the great memories made 🥰 I like catching up on what you did before I met y’all 😉👍🏻 I like how y’all roll 🙌🏻 Have a blessed Sunday and week ahead Brother ❤️‍🔥🙏🏻🤟🏻

[@enduringpatriot]

Thank you Sister Donna! That was in my early days of KZbin, for sure. I didn't even know how to make a video, but I did know from my employment how to make a "Powerpoint Slide Show", so that's what I did; just a bunch of pictures I had taken and then put them in order, no music, no fireworks, bells, or whistles. I need to do some pre-video watching myself, but I can't seem to keep my head above water when it comes to watching folks videos. It was by far the biggest project I had taken on in my day, but I kept good notes, and the 100s of videos that were not in the slide show were very good in helping me rebuild it. Thanks for watching and I'm so glad you enjoyed it! ⚓🇺🇸💪🏻!

[@BCJerbs]

I've always wanted a house boat...built on pontoons! That's a sweet rebuild Mr.Tommy and family! I seriously would've made that a double decker! Thanks for sharing this you guys! Cheers, Jerbs

[@enduringpatriot]

Thanks, Jerbs! This was one of my first videos; way before I had joined the "community". It was a fun build, and I learned a lot.

[@erichildreth7562]

Wow you guys did an amazing job on this boat!! Nice work and catch a lot of fish this summer!!!

[@enduringpatriot]

Thanks, Eric! I appreciate the kind remarks. Tight lines to you as well, my friend!

[@loi6923]

Thanks posting these pictures. Very inspirational.

[@enduringpatriot]

Thanks for watching. It was a fun yet challenging project, that's for sure! Appreciate you commenting.

[@redneckdrennan745]

nice job. my dad is getting to where he couldnt handle his 89 starcraft anymor so he just gave it to me. this thing is basically a clean slate as it has no chairs tables etc. im finna start making her my own and looking for how people have done theirs. ill be doing a video of my progress as well!!!! again. NICE job!!!

[@enduringpatriot]

Thanks for your kind comments. You will enjoy doing the rebuild as long as you don't get in a hurry. The one tip I could give you from my experience is to take plenty of photos, especially if you are replacing or connecting/reconnecting or rewiring any electrical. I kept notes and took photos, and really relied upon them during the work. I wish you well with the rebuild. By the way, I was 66 when I did this. Thanks again for watching and for your nice comments.

[@redneckdrennan745]

Yea im a 39 year mechanic. Im 51 so i know mechanical. Its the carpentry thats new to me. I hope it turns out as well as yours. I plan on having a little galley and toilet also

[@Chrissvarietychannel549]

That was a big project. Great job.

[@enduringpatriot]

Thanks, Chris. It was a big, but fun project! I learned a lot while doing it, and had some great help from son, grandson, and the original owner and his son. Oh yeah, the wife helped out, too (she kept me on budget)! LOL! Thanks for watching and commenting!

[@Chrissvarietychannel549]

We are actually looking for a pontoon but I couldn’t take on a project like that although I am a carpenter by trade. I’m old and no help. Love your channel.

[@enduringpatriot]

@@Chrissvarietychannel549 Now is the time to be looking for one. Chris, I was 65, retired, and had just had a total knee replacement 4 months earlier when I took on this project. But like I said, I had plenty of help. I hope you find a good deal. My motor is a four-stroke. Four-strokes run a lot quieter than 2-strokes and I've been told they are much more dependable. If I could make one recommendation, it would be to go with a 4-stroke if at all possible. Take care, and thanks for the kind words!

[@Chrissvarietychannel549]

I finally bought one. The deck has already been replaced. Doing some things to it. Have not launched yet.

[@patriotcatfishersofamerica7985]

Great job, ive got to get started on my Patriot Cat pontoon boat too.

[@MarkKratzMC]

Wow…you guys did a great job! 👍

[@enduringpatriot]

Thanks Mark! It actually was a lot of fun to take it down to bare-toons and then rebuild it all. Biggest personal project I've ever undertaken! I didn't know how to shoot videos back then so I just did a slideshow,

[@cammuse8435]

Nothing beats a Honda

[@enduringpatriot]

That motor is 11 years old and runs like a champ. I don';t have a speedometer onboard, but I do have a tachometer and a phone. The gps app I use told I go 15.4 mph at 4500 rpm. That's plenty fast for me on a 24 ft. pontoon. Thanks for watching and commenting. I hope to start adding some more videos soon!

[@TheOutBoardSurgeon]

Cam Muse besides a yahama

[@outdoorsmanal1759]

great job on the boat! hoping to get motivated into doing my own to some extent

[@enduringpatriot]

It was a large but satisfying and fun (most of the time) project. Thanks for your kind words and for watching, my friend!

[@StoneBJJ]

Nice job, hope it serves you and your family well!🎣

[@enduringpatriot]

Yes, it gives us plenty of room for fishing without being on top of each other. Plus, if you want to just put the rod down and relax for a few, you can stretch out and just chill. For me and the family, it';s all about relaxing, having fun, and enjoying our Father's many blessings! Very grateful. Thanks for the kind words.

[@stephengordon8968]

That's excellent work !

[@enduringpatriot]

Thank you for your kind words and for watching. They are very much appreciated.

[@garygerard4290]

boat looked good before you started the project 'Great afterward! keep on fishin'

[@enduringpatriot]

Thanks for watching!

[@218philip]

To properly paint aluminum it must be cleaned immediately before applying a zinc cromate etching primer, then paint. It will eventually flake off otherwise. It is simpler to clean it and let it form it's own patina. I liked the plywood splicing, did you consider using construction adhesive at the splices? Nice video, thanks!

[@enduringpatriot]

Great comments - the only prep we did for the aluminum siding was to sand and wash. It's been two years now, and we are starting to notice the tiniest of flaking on one piece. However, my plans are to redo the aluminum sides before next Spring (2020), so yes, we shall do a more proper prep for that. No, we did not use a construction adhesive at the splices. The metal splices in the marine grade plywood gave us an EXTREMELY tight fit, and my research indicated that construction adhesive is not appropriate for most woodworking applications, but is better suited for drywall, tile, molding, and wall & ceiling fixtures. Having said that and based on info I have now, looking back I would have applied the "Flex Seal" brand adhesive tape had I done anything. Great question, I appreciate your kind words, comments, and question.

[@MrTomtusti]

I painted an aluminum boat 7 years ago with rust-oleum paint. Sold it to a friend , it still looks nice to this day

[@enduringpatriot]

@@MrTomtusti Thanks for the info. Did you do any surface prep prior to applying the rust-oleum? Also, was it a spray or did you brush on?

[@MrTomtusti]

@@enduringpatriot It was brushed on . I dont remember doing anything but light sanding before painting ( and the boat was used in salt water prior to the restore.

[@enduringpatriot]

@@MrTomtusti Thanks for the info, Tom. I plan to repaint this Fall. I may try brushing on with Rust-oleum. Again, I appreciate the info.

[@cainjessup706]

Ok... my heart sunk at the end.. i thought the American flag pic was the boat sunk.. lol nice job guys.

[@enduringpatriot]

Hi Cain! Appreciate you watching! Oh No, we could never allow that to happen! That's on Lake Keowee, and the rocky shallow area has several buoys warning boaters of the rocks there. Take care and God bless! 🇺🇸

[@fxpestoperator5527]

Really, REALLY Great Job!!!!!!

[@enduringpatriot]

Thanks, I appreciate it!

[@jmtplittleguy3042]

Super job !

[@enduringpatriot]

Thanks, glad you like it!

[@discoveryoutdoorskcfishing236]

So quick question. On the powerdrive, what ft lb did you end up using and how does it do on a big pontoon?

[@enduringpatriot]

The model I purchased was the Powerdrive Pontoon (24v, 68 ft-lb). When I purchased it (from Bass Pro Shops for $150 less than Minn Kota's current price, I had no plans for the i-pilot. However, if the wind is 7 mph or better, then it's a constant battle to keep a 24' pontoon where you want it. Fortunately, Minn Kota does offer the i-pilot for my model as an "add-on" package. So, after doing a lot of research, study, and a whole lot more sweet-talking the wife, I ordered the add-on. The 68 ft-lb thrust moves the pontoon really well and the spotlock function works great. Maybe I can make a short video of the trolling motor moving the beast (I need to come up with a name for the boat) one day,if I ever put the rod and reel down long enough!

[@clambert2020]

Very nice restoration!!! Great help you had!!! Thanks for sharing. Never saw how pontoon decking was joined together. How difficult was it to get the second piece splined into the first?

[@enduringpatriot]

Hi Clambert! Yes, I had some very good help! I had no idea how the deck boards were joined until my son and I started ripping off the old and rotting deck. You asked a great question... The original 1" metal (aluminum) splines had somehow deteriorated (from what I don't know, maybe age and stress (???)), so we replaced them with new 1/8" splines cut to order at a local machine shop. The joints I cut into the marine grade plywood withe Dremel Tool were 1/8" wide and 1/2" deep, 8 ft run. We used a rubber hammer (mallet) to position each metal spline. Then with my son on one side and me on the other, we both used 2# sledge hammers to each strike a piece of a 2x4 stud against the 2nd piece of marine grade plywood (decking). Had I not tore the old one down, I would not have had a clue how to do it. I appreciate the kind words, and thanks so much for watching! (And tell Farrah I LOVE macaroni salad!)

[@karlberger4418]

it is a very very critical procedure, to clean with hydro-fluoric acid 65% ( even when you dilute it with water), this stuff, when contact with your skin, will eat your body down to the bones.

[@enduringpatriot]

Yes, it is, Karl. I made sure I caught both the Label Warning and Caution from the jug in my slideshow for that very reason. I was decked in safety glasses, rubber gloves and outfit. Still, when working with caustic chemicals, you can never be too safe. Thanks for watching and for the safety reminder!

[@josephatnip2398]

My buddy's family is big on pontoon boats and I like them too but I like other people's pontoon boats.... Because they have had nothing but problems with theirs they've had two of them sink while tied up at a dock because the pontoon secretly developed a small leak at a broken weld slowly filled with water until it pulled it under and their third pontoon boat well there was a firework accident involving their teenage son and it burned up on the trailer in their driveway :-0

[@enduringpatriot]

Hi Joseph! Wow! Sounds like your buddy's family has had some bad experiences. We love our pontoon for fishing, plenty of room. I'm always making modifications of some sort. The last one I did was to turn the flip-flop seat 90 degrees and raised it another 6 inches. It now makes a good foot rest, and the seating is more comfortable, since it was only about 12 inches off the floor. Also, the extra six inches is now storage space. Thanks for watching and commenting!

[@patriotcatfishersofamerica7985]

I need some of that cleaner

[@enduringpatriot]

Very simple to use. just mix according to directions in a spray pump, sprayed it on, working from bottom to top so it doesn't streak, wait 3-4 minutes, then spray off with water hose. I didn't say it in the slideshow, but that's what I used to clean the transom, too. Just remember, it's not a polish, it's a cleaner... you don't get a mirror finish, just a clean one! I bought it at the store in Greenville, SC ($10/gallon), and only used about half of it.

[@patriotcatfishersofamerica7985]

enduringpatriot thanks the lake water sure does stain the pontoons

[@patriotcatfishersofamerica7985]

enduringpatriot did you polish the toons after cleaning?

[@enduringpatriot]

No, but I did test a small spot and it did shine up using Mothers Polish. The only way I would attempt to polish them would be with a power applicator/buffer, and even then, I probably wouldn't tackle the job (but that's just me).

[@patriotcatfishersofamerica7985]

enduringpatriot I’ve got go back and put risers under all the seats and rails. Carpeting turning green

[@sstatic6093]

I need your secret to get all that help my son is 10 I would have to do something drastic in order to get help from my daughter or son smh and Im working on a regular 14ft boat lol

[@enduringpatriot]

LOL! It's not what you think. We did the rebuild in 2017, and my son was 41. He had a goodly amount of incentive, as he loves fishing as much as I do, so it didn't take much prompting to get him to pitch in. His face is scattered throughout the slideshow. His son (my grandson) was the 11-year old shown a couple of times. He's shown indications of being mechanically inclined, so wrench-turning seems to come natural for him, so he was a great asset as well. That's both of them in the last slide fishing from the front seats. Thanks for watching and commenting.

[@wickedoutdooradventures6694]

Awesome Video !!!!!! Love re-build projects - Gonna buy my first pontoon this year. Any suggestions? New Subscriber here and keep up the good work and I look forward to your next video.....Check out my channel & latest videos too.....Thanks & Tight Lines, USCG Captain Scott Manning, US Army - Veteran

[@enduringpatriot]

First, thanks for the kind words, and for your service. As a veteran Coastie (USCG), I can't tell you how much the folks in the CG Auxiliary perform a very valuable service. I noticed from your videos you do a lot of catfishing. You might want to check out "Patriot Catfisher of AMERICA". His name is James, and he is in the process of rebuilding a pontoon. He has two videos on it so far, and may be able to help you with any questions you may have. Here's a link to his video channel. The best to you. kzbin.info/door/wZugM4Zn_WD1VX0dhtQYlQvideos