60hp outboard on homemade drum raft?

This DIY pontoon raft spent a month going 600 kilometres downstream on the Murray River in Victoria. It was then towed back to Perth Western Australia and moored at the Maylands Boat Yard. After 6 months in the salty water of the Swan River only one of the metal drums had leaked. Rust was beginning to show but was not yet getting serious. Now the 44 gallon metal drums have been replaced with 44 gallon poly drums. Each drum is 200 litres / liters or 55 gallons U.S. Half submerged, each drum would support 100 kilos. This is a high-tech barrel raft with 60 hp four stroke outboard, fridge and hot and cold running water, hydraulic steering and 3 deep cycle batteries. Stern mounted helm has taco & speedo with usb charging ports and Bluetooth sound system.The canvas super-structure folds down to get under troublesome bridges. Pot belly stove keeps us warm when we are camping, fishing and crabbing.
After the new plastic drums were attached this video shows the pontoon being relaunched and being taken back to its pen in Maylands.

[@americanboathead5390]

really cool!!! i would love to wake up with some coffee on that boat!

[@anneclugston4273]

If ever you are in Western Australia we will buy you a coffee on the boat

[@anneclugston4273]

If you like this video please sub to my channel as there will be more to come. Thanks

[@alex57119]

muito bom mesmo , alem de economica muito criativa ! parabens!

[@lucianoguerra9013]

Are we thinking a smaller engine, after all were not going to be in a race right. An a collapsible top half that way the wind won't be a problem. Nice work, dreams do come thou. Thank you Loader.

[@anneclugston4273]

It would normally be overkill with a 60 hp agreed. However we spent nearly a month going downstream on a sometimes narrow fast flowing river in our eastern states. We needed the thrust for the bigger prop to help us power around obstacles whilst being forced sideways. We were towing a large dinghy with our supplies and fuel as some of it was fairly remote and days between towns. We had a "bigfoot" leg fitted to the 60 which also has a bigger alternator AND yes the top half is already collapsible. Thanks for your nice works about our pontoon!

[@teflongoon]

I love it! So cool.

[@anneclugston4273]

Thanks, we love our pontoon!

[@anneclugston4273]

Thanks We love our pontoon and its great fun. Some of the boys recently went out on it and had a great time crabbing. Plenty of crabs were caught and eaten that day

[@barryoconnor9397]

I would center the motor and cockpit amidship and bolt a long shaft and propeller rig underneath it.

[@anneclugston4273]

Barry O'Connor - Barry we love it when people are interested in our pontoon. We have talked about doing this - well thought out!

[@monicabitch6519]

the swan is so curious,,,,,so cute ,

[@anneclugston4273]

Monica Bitch it is great all the likes you have on your comment. It is very true and definitely cute.

[@flyhouseoftruth470]

I'd like to get 4 pontoon tubes x 24' long with just enough space between them for a 35hp Johnson 2 stroke motor. Build the deck and maybe set a small camper on top. The wheels and axles would have to come off, not sure about the frame, it may have to go also. Too much weight. Although I suppose one could keep the frame and lighten it by cutting holes. Be nice to have it setting up from the deck.

[@anneclugston4273]

Fly house of truth wow sounds like a great project you should do it 👍

[@anneclugston4273]

Just remember for every one kilo of total weight you want at least 2 litres of pontoon displacement otherwise you will suggest the 'pontoon effect' which is worth googling

[@redwood9741]

I don't know what is inside for weight ?..but if those are 55 gallon barrels..and there are 21 of them ?..8 x 55 = 440 x 27 = 11,880 pounds if flotation. Why is it so low in the back ? Just an easy way to find flotation is..firguire out how many gallons of water a float holds..then times that amount by the weight of one gallon of water ( which is 8.6 pounds )..I just round down to 8.

[@anneclugston4273]

Hi Brett. The outboard motor is very heavy and centre pontoon log does not have a barrel at back to accomodate outboard. In that video kitchen at front had not been built and no counter balancing weight at front at that point. Thanks for comments

[@safetyfirstintexas]

might want to move that motor a bit fore ward of its now location to trim it back to level. just saying....

[@anneclugston4273]

Thanks we have left the motor where it is but done some work on it so it is more level

[@anneclugston4273]

This was as it had been launched with the new plastic drums

[@gursongurson1397]

Looks amazing you done a good job Your trailer is Victorian and your ute is WA Are you in the swan river by any chance in Perth ?

[@anneclugston4273]

Gurson Gurson we live in WA and we bought and modified the trailer in Victoria when we brought the pontoon back from its first big trip on the Murray's River in Victoria. Pontoon has been licensed in WA.

[@toby621]

hi anne witch drums were better in the water drag wise steel or plastic i cant make my mind up what to use im on the murray so they wont se salt water

[@anneclugston4273]

Hi. We didn’t notice a difference. We had steel when on the Murray and fitted some nose cones. The nose cones were designed to ‘split’ the water rather than raise the bow. These helped with displacement and reduced the tendency to porpoise. Good luck

[@nikburton9264]

looks a bit down in the stern

[@anneclugston4273]

It was when we first launched it. It has been addressed now.

[@moraes4467]

⚓AMAZON RIVER boat swit home⚓

[@_onesimpleidea]

+Anne Clugston Nice. Can you share some specs please, like dimensions, # of barrels, etc? Also, as beautiful and fully-featured as it surely is, I'm still having trouble seeing the "many thousands". Any budget info you'd care to share would be appreciated. (P.S. - For some reason, on my mobile phone, I was only able to see this one video. Now on a computer, I see the others and will look there for more info as well. Thanks.)

[@anneclugston4273]

Thanks. I will get some details and post.

[@anneclugston4273]

The raft is 6.2 metres by 2.5 metres. There are three rows of drums - 2 row with 7 drums and 1 row with 6 1/2 drums with 1/2 drum plastic welded end. The costs added by with a $6,000 for the engine 60 HP 4 stroke, canvas canopy, bay star hydrologic steering, fridge, internal cabinets, dual battery system, auto isolation, marine wiring throughout, timber deck flooring, fold in roof frame, trailer and mooring and storage costs. Thanks for your interest. We love it.

[@johnw65]

@@anneclugston4273 I'm just a newbie... Thanks for that description

[@3riversrambler]

my friends and I are building something similar and are curious as to what you had to do to register it. we live in Tennessee and can find no information on the registration process for custom built vessels. any help is greatly appreciated. Even the county court house was no help

[@anneclugston4273]

We are sleeping on it tonight on the Swan River in Western Australia. Here we register with the state government Department of Transport. We have to provide a certificate from an authorised private contractor who checks things are done properly and attaches a certification plate to the hull but in our case the deck. Sorry can't help in the US although we have been to the US three times, have driven through Tennessee and really loved it! All the best with the project.

[@anneclugston4273]

If there is any other info we can help you with my email address is [e-mail]

[@3riversrambler]

thank you! :)

[@donisvanjava5694]

Ampuuhh

[@anneclugston4273]

We are going well

[@atreyufrank7573]

i subd

[@atreyufrank7573]

Ha I got hearted, lol I was 10

[@williewhite191]

To much weight in rear

[@anneclugston4273]

Thanks for the comment. That is issue is very much sorted when loaded up. We have to be prepared for pontoon porpoising at speed.

[@bradkvanbek7148]

I have built a dock and a couple rafts with 55 gallon plastic drums. I learned some things, the hard way. You want to seal the drums in the middle of your temperature difference. For MN sealing the drums at 30 degrees works good. The first dock sections I sealed the drums at warmer temperatures and in the winter they caved in some, so I drilled a small hole in one cap above the waterline, but somehow they still can fill with water. So seal in cooler temps. You can't have too much floatation. My first dock / raft had drums has 12sf per barrel, my last has near solid drums at 6.55sf per barrel. There is no such thing as too many drums.

[@anneclugston4273]

Sounds like nice work Brad and good points. We went to the trouble of asking the drum manufacturers their opinion on best way to seal. After all they send drums all around the world containing all manner of liquids. They advised to definitely not use sealant on the bung threads and to only tighten them to the torque they were kind enough to specify for their particular drums.

[@aggabus]

never seen black swan) say i at first (think) tis shadow.. no that fowl is black.

[@anneclugston4273]

They are beautiful to look at but can be a bit aggressive. I think the black swan in this video is just curious!

[@DawsonLagunilla]

Cannot using in the sea. Only river for good✌️👊

[@anneclugston4273]

Yes. It is much better for the river but there are parts of the Swan River where it is too choppy. We mainly go up river. One day the boys had too many beers and took it out around the south mole into the fishing boat harbour in Fremantle 🤣 they were fine but it is not recommended

[@johnw65]

Your barrel boat is great! This concept is new to me. I can see styrofoam walls being light enough to make a usable houseboat/camper for winter use...Would it be possible to make the raft 4 barrels wide for more flotation? Also, Is that a pet goose, or just an opportunist... lol

[@anneclugston4273]

Yes you could make bigger and yes styrofoam walls would be great. Also that is an Australian Black Swan and yes just an opportunist 😂

[@johnw65]

@@anneclugston4273 I found a video on house boats and water mansions today... Really got my imagination going! But water gets scary in high winds...

[@jamesmziegler]

She seems a tad heavy in the stern

[@AMAURYPESCADORINVENTOR]

Aqui no Brasil é proibido !! Só com laudo de engenheiro!!👋👍valeu

[@anneclugston4273]

Thanks for subscribing and the comment. Here in Perth our pontoon is checked for safety and then licensed to be on the Swan River by the Transport Department of the state government.

[@КаЯкер]

С бензомотором нет романтики

[@anneclugston4273]

Thanks for the comment. I’d love to know what you said.

[@THEScottCampbell]

How FAST can it go (in knots)?

[@anneclugston4273]

7 knots maximum otherwise the nose starts to dive. 😊 happy 🎄

[@oujhhdhvgh9614]

Pp

[@patrickguillory7552]

The little goose follow you around is impressed 😂😂

[@anneclugston4273]

Thanks Patrick. The Black Swan was fascinated. You got me thinking and I did some googling and the Swan River in Western Australia was named after the Black Swan. “The Dutch navigator Willem de Vlamingh was one of the first Europeans to see Black Swans as he sailed up and named the Swan River. In 1697, his expedition took three swans to Batavia (Indonesia) with them, but the birds died(4). An exploratory party led by Captain James Stirling marvelled at the spectacle of Black Swans rising from the water as their boats navigated the Swan River in 1827. While admired for their beauty, swans were also a popular food resource for early settlers(4). Today, the once abundant Black Swans are now far less common on the river system” River Guardians website.

[@timwegman5776]

Thanks for the info on Swanns it's pretty neat I'm a fact finder my self I love to look up and learn weird Strange or just any small fact. Great boat to discuss you ever add more drums to the rear to raise it up it was a bit low with only one guy in it.

[@markfryer9880]

Ah so that is what the Swan River looks like! Nice pontoon boat.

[@anneclugston4273]

Thanks very much. The Swan River is lovely,

[@MrKingraham]

Great video , i can get 30 of these poly 200lts for 300 . i would like a 50-60 ft barge on the canal but cost too much to buy so i am thinking of building a floating house with barrels and a mobile home sitting on top . sometimes people give these away when they are finished building their house . any advice Graham from Ireland

[@grahambate3384]

I seem a couple around on KZbin. I think keeping weight even is the key. Around 10 years ago I use to pick up people in my cab, who made house boats. One guy said sewage pipes and get it plastic welded at the ends. is a lot better because it's stronger and it's cut to length. I don't know how expensive it is. These guys used to go into building sites at night and just take what they wanted 😃

[@johnw65]

Building your houseboat with styrofoam walls/roof would be a lot lighter and more practical...

[@aggabus]

5:15 they must have shifted their load..

[@anneclugston4273]

Yes. Well spotted!

[@aggabus]

@@anneclugston4273 as also did ladys voice

[@mattconrad9520]

Seems like filling the front barrels with water would fix the ballast issue. It's probably fixed by now I would imagine tho

[@anneclugston4273]

Matt Conrad - good idea Matt and thanks. We fixed it by redistributing the weight and having some in drum storage at the front access through the deck. This includes some of the firewood for the pot belly stove on the front of the pontoon.

[@likbronangperahufiberglass]

Asyiiik....sangat kreatif

[@CaptainblyMe]

Nice job won’t win any Speedtests what the hell you are on the water !! That’s all that matters !

[@anneclugston4273]

That's exactly right. It is great fun

[@patrickguillory7552]

Just wanted to run this idea by you...... I had thought about putting some vertical pvc pipes on all four conners of the boat....... So you jack the boat up out of the water.

[@anneclugston4273]

Very interesting concept.

[@eddienginasia1530]

Super niceee !! But 60hp @ 110kg not counting fuel + captain at the transom seems too heavy and overkill..... probably sink the raft if you really gas it (or move the cockpit up nearer to the front) a small 20-30hp outboard will do plenty fine since you're going downstream anyway....no point spending the extra $$$ if you're not using all 60 horses Still , congratulations and ....hats off nice Job !

[@anneclugston4273]

Thanks Eddie. The video shows it unloaded at relaunch. The fully loaded weight is balanced with fuel tanks at the front along with in drum underfloor storage accessed by hatches. A smaller motor would suffice however a 60 HP allowed us to put a big foot leg on, larger prop and meant greater manoeuvrability in fast flowing narrow rivers and high winds. The vessel did 600 kilometres on the third longest navigable river in the world, the Murray River. That is why we changed form the original 25 HP.

[@LaserSharkPhotoablations]

i have seen big winds spring up on the murray, houseboats have no chance against them with their HP to surface area ratio. I also want to see you gas it tho..

[@juraganangler3122]

👍👍👍

[@anneclugston4273]

Thanks for the thumbs up and for subscribing. Have a great day.

[@WanderingNature]

Tom

[@cengizmergavul5799]

Çok güzel Tekne

[@aggabus]

Duck disapproval demonstrated during drum deck deploy day dinkum dare

[@anneclugston4273]

Black Swans can be a bit territorial 😄

[@aggabus]

@@anneclugston4273 .. yes .. and he is not looking for a friend.

[@KennethT32505]

Can you show me where did you buy the canvas canopy? TIA

[@anneclugston4273]

We got it made by a company in Victoria

[@daleval2182]

What is that damn screeching

[@anneclugston4273]

Dale Val the bird life is very vocal on the Swan River

[@daleval2182]

@@anneclugston4273 lol good lord I'll say, sounded like an all out battle., thanks

[@israelwore1669]

Wit h a 60 Hp - is it safe at full throttle? Impressive though

[@anneclugston4273]

Only about 7 knots max. Otherwise the nose starts to porpoise. We did have nose cones on the end designed to split the water. That allows another knot or two. We had the larger motor to navigate the larger river the Murray in Victoria. It has a much stronger tide and locks and snags. We spent 6 weeks on the pontoon

[@SVMSICE]

I’ve been really digging these homemade pontoon boats made out of drums like this. Very nice!!!

[@anneclugston4273]

Thanks very much

[@aggabus]

Native to Australia, the black swan or Cygnus atratus can be found across the mainland, except for Cape York Peninsula. Populations have also been introduced to New Zealand, Japan, China, the United Kingdom and the United States The black swan (Cygnus atratus) is a large waterbird, a species of swan which breeds mainly in the southeast and southwest regions of Australia. Within Australia, the black swan is nomadic, with erratic migration patterns dependent upon climatic conditions. It is a large bird with mostly black plumage

[@anneclugston4273]

Thanks Rayan. That black swan gets lots of comments.

[@craigpledghammer7168]

Young Man you done a fine job on that pontoon! I may have to steal that idea....

[@anneclugston4273]

Don't they say imitation is the sincerest form of flattery!

[@patrickguillory7552]

Man! I like that ⛵️.

[@anneclugston4273]

Patrick Guillory thanks very much

[@trongchaet]

This is Awsome! Would love to try it once.

[@anneclugston4273]

It is really good fun. Because it is flat you really feel part of what is happening around you. We often see dolphins and lots of birds like the black Swan in the video. We occasionally tie off on a mooring and sleep the night in a swag and in season catch crabs and bream.

[@trongchaet]

@@anneclugston4273 Have you considered pontoons from the marinedocksystems company? Any particular reasons to change to these blue containers? I am motivated by your video and would love to build one in Thailand. Though, I am in Brisbane at the moment and plan to go back home in several months.

[@Farmer2492]

great video love the Murray i am from Victoria

[@anneclugston4273]

Farmer2492 - we are from Western Australia and my husband, son and 3 dogs loved their month on the Murray in the pontoon. They talk a lot about going through the weirs and trying to catch the local cod and the great people they met

[@williamsutton2182]

Needs more wate in the front

[@anneclugston4273]

Thanks William. This video was when the pontoon was first relaunched after we replaced metal drums with plastic drums. The weight has since been readjusted.

[@markthomas4594]

That’s pretty cool mate ,u in Australia,thinking of something along the build,any law like rego ,I need to think about

[@anneclugston4273]

It has to be licensed but we didn't have too much trouble

[@djfitzgerald111]

60 Hp, that's overkill.

[@anneclugston4273]

Dan Fitzgerald normally absolutely overkill with a 60 hp agreed. We spent nearly a month going downstream on a sometimes narrow fast flowing river in our eastern states. We needed the thrust for the bigger prop to help us power around obstacles whilst being forced sideways. We were towing a large dinghy with our supplies and fuel as some iof it was fairly remote and days between towns. We had a "bigfoot" leg fitted to the 60 which also has a bigger alternator.

[@Clan501-Scotland]

Just needs a counter ballast like breeze blocks at the front.

[@anneclugston4273]

Thanks Charlie. Good suggestion.

[@AdrianCalgary]

nice ride. cheers from your new sub 128.

[@Just-Smile77]

That's awesome I made a 10×5 power with troller motor

[@anneclugston4273]

Thanks. What you have done sounds awesome as well. Post something so we can see

[@Just-Smile77]

@@anneclugston4273 Thanks Nothing special but I'll post it . Floats great and have caught many fish off of it . Ill let you know when I post

[@Just-Smile77]

@@anneclugston4273 I posted a 15 second video of it on trailer. I posted video next time I take it out on the water .

[@anneclugston4273]

@@Just-Smile77 love your use of PVC pipe. Look forward to seeing it on the water.

[@Just-Smile77]

@@anneclugston4273 Thanks I'm going to do more work on it. and post new video .I'm new to all this you tube trying to turn on my comments .

[@grahambate3384]

Gr8 video

[@anneclugston4273]

Thanks very much Graham😀

[@rodmuller1339]

makes me want to build one as well.

[@anneclugston4273]

Thanks Rod. Sorry I missed your comment. Did you ever build one?

[@hobikitochannel1065]

I like it✅✅

[@anneclugston4273]

Hobi Kito Channel thanks very much

[@wemike100]

done i need more subs too

[@fanifauvalentine8865]

Pretty good job. Just really need one for fishing

[@anneclugston4273]

We do some crabbing and fishing for Brim

[@billyrichmond9348]

i want to build something sim. out of 35 gal barrel human power paddel wheel any tips or need to knows

[@anneclugston4273]

Billy Richmond - just remember (assuming yours are US gallons) 35 gallons being roughly 132 litres will support 132 kilos fully submerged, but you never want barrels to be more than half submerged. The consequence is the "pontoon effect" which is worth googling. This will explain stability. Best wishes with the project

[@billyrichmond9348]

The whole vessel will way about 400 pound with ten 35 gal drums should lift 2600 lbs should only draft about 5 inchs

[@steveallen984]

Billy Richmond. Maybe how to swim? I'm only kidding. I wouldn't mind building a pontoon boat myself. I've watched pontoon boat all summer stay pretty stable in some pretty choppy water out in a bay. If you want a paddle boat maybe keep a three barrel pontoon style in mind. Two you sit over and one in the front. It would allow you to mount a frame for your paddles and still float level. If you attach with pins you can disassemble it to transport it in lighter pieces to move around yourself. Just a thought. Good luck with your project

[@robertmyers4155]

I love your project luxurious boat!

[@anneclugston4273]

Thanks, Robert. It is nice of you to describe as luxurious. We certainly get lots of looks when out on the Swan River. Probably because there are not a lot of pontoons around.

[@davidjester9658]

Cool but I wanted to see how much speed you can get on of these builds.

[@anneclugston4273]

David Jester only about 7 knots max. Otherwise the nose starts to porpoise. We did have nose cones on the end designed to split the water. That allows another knot or two.

[@bondiola09]

what is the need of 60 hp in a pontoon that will not plan ??? with 10 hp left over!

[@anneclugston4273]

Good question Oscar. Thus 60hp four stroke has a Bigfoot leg and gearcase on the outboard with a larger prop designed for houseboats, large pontoons etc. We did a month long trip on the Murray River in fast moving water sometimes navigating tight spaces weaving between rocks and tree trunks. The extra thrust was a lifesaver. The Bigfoot also has a higher output alternator than the standard 60hp which kept everything charged for live aboard.

[@bondiola09]

@@anneclugston4273 Very well now I understand perfectly! I thank you for clarifying the doubt !!! and go my congratulations for the adventure! and the floating motor home, thanks again!

[@재니쿡]

130 done now your turn!

[@kahelekoki6215]

Looking like you could use more barrels

[@anneclugston4273]

Kahele Koki thanks. One earlier rebuild had added centre six barrels. We have since redistributed the weight and all is good now.

[@foosman1]

Cool

[@anneclugston4273]

foosman1 thanks we have a great time. Unfortunately it is out of the water at the moment being repaired. Issues with the engine but we will be back soon on the Swan River in Perth. Have a good day!

[@capiberra4118]

Cool! I want one. Godspeed.

[@anneclugston4273]

Sorry i missed your kind comment. We are still going well

[@russellclement2058]

Metal drums ? I thought they looked like plastic,,

[@anneclugston4273]

Thanks for the comment Russell. As Christopher has said this is when we are putting the pontoon back into the water after the metal drums were replaced with poly drums.

[@russellclement2058]

@@anneclugston4273 hi Anne ,, I've been watching with lots of interest,, home away from home ,,

[@anneclugston4273]

Russell Clement you are quite right. We often spend a night on it on the Swan River.

[@user-jm7ou9kk7n]

What straps did you use to hold the drums in?

[@anneclugston4273]

Metal bands with an adjustable bolt for both the original metal drums and the poly drums. I love the name and cheers.

[@richardtaihitu6157]

The goose was so pleased it seemed that the blue pontoon appeared

[@anneclugston4273]

The Swan was very curious about the pontoon that day 😊

[@richardtaihitu6157]

@@anneclugston4273 yup

[@joshpinson5513]

Are we supposed to answer the title?

[@anneclugston4273]

Josh Pinson the question mark implies WTF

[@DarinWixon]

Did you make the canvas top?

[@anneclugston4273]

Driver - sorry that I missed your comment. We had it made. The frame folds down to go under low bridges. The canvas and clears we had done by a marine upholster. Regards Annie

[@ufochannel01]

great job man wow so kool! how much cost was the total build?

[@anneclugston4273]

Tom Slaymaker thanks Tom. Without labor $10,000 Australian dollars including the outboard and canvas works.

[@LandofNonecom]

Anne Clugston I'm assuming the outboard ate the majority of the budget.

[@anneclugston4273]

We got it for about $5,000 second hand.

[@timwegman5776]

I know this is an old post but if ypu are still watching the comments I'm curious how much did they charge for the canvas top it came out great.

[@CanIbeWithThee]

Looks like it needs to level

[@anneclugston4273]

Looks Up yes you are right. After we installed in-drum storage for firewood and water and the kitchen at front it levelled itself almost horizontal.

[@CanIbeWithThee]

Anne Clugston You've inspired me to make one to now 😊

[@anneclugston4273]

Looks Up great. Let us know how you go 😊

[@ChrisMartin-sw9kb]

How long were you able to build it??

[@williewhite191]

Yep just what I thought lol

[@triss87tr]

Hello. Any idea of the overall weight fully loaded?

[@anneclugston4273]

Sorry I missed the question. We try and check. More info - his DIY pontoon raft spent a month going 600 kilometres downstream on the Murray River in Victoria. It was then towed back to Perth Western Australia and moored at the Maylands Boat Yard. After 6 months in the salty water of the Swan River only one of the metal drums had leaked. Rust was beginning to show but was not yet getting serious. Now the 44 gallon metal drums have been replaced with 44 gallon poly drums. Each drum is 200 litres / liters or 55 gallons U.S. Half submerged, each drum would support 100 kilos. This is a high-tech barrel raft with 60 hp four stroke outboard, fridge and hot and cold running water, hydraulic steering and 3 deep cycle batteries. Stern mounted helm has taco and speedo with usb charging ports and Bluetooth sound system.The canvas super-structure folds down to get under troublesome bridges. Pot belly stove keeps us warm when we are camping, fishing and crabbing. After the new plastic drums were attached this video shows the pontoon being relaunched and being taken back to its pen in Maylands.

[@johnw65]

@@anneclugston4273 Love it! 'Collapsible for bridges' is a problem I'd not thought of....

[@colinwilson1755]

How did you do the trailer

[@anneclugston4273]

Colin Wilson Colin, it is a converted ski boat trailer with 2 sets of guide rails for the drums Ro slide onto to. The guide rails are sheathed low friction plastic.

[@deepsouthNZ]

Excellent

[@anneclugston4273]

Thanks. Have a happy New Year

[@Wetzelpretzels]

what did you use for the cloth walls?

[@anneclugston4273]

Sorry I missed your question. They are canvas and a little older now and will need replacing soon.

[@anneclugston4273]

Also when the Pontoon was on the Murray River in Victoria we had to put the sides down to go under low structures. The whole structure supporting the canvas folds forward and down.

[@DeaFBRED]

Your INSPIRING Me

[@anneclugston4273]

Thanks. I hope you have been inspired

[@marcospaulosantos3810]

thats amazing

[@anneclugston4273]

Marcos Paulo Santos thanks Marcos. We have a great time on the pontoon 'Ponty'

[@RogerHammond]

Just watching a guy in Canada with a homemade pontoon boat just using solar panels and a small trolling motor to power it. I assume with your 60hp engine the boat would have needed to be registered and you would have had to get a boat licence to operate a private vessel (vs car licence for hire boat).

[@anneclugston4273]

That sounds great. Our pontoon is registered and licenced in Perth. Solar panels are really interesting

[@lucianoguerra9013]

Thank You For clearing up the reason for the extra big engine. I'm new to water going engine's. To me I'm still stuck on push the gas an you go faster, but that only works on land machine's. In water you only have a tiny propeller an you need a lot more power. An working on a budget a large engine is cheaper then buying two small engines. and most likely they won't put out the power that is needed. I'm glade that you made the top section collapsible. It will make it easier to move. I was so worried that a heavy wind would damage it. I so hope to be out there some day. Take care.

[@anneclugston4273]

Thanks Luciano. I am sorry I missed your comment. The pontoon is still all good but conditions on the Swan especially upriver are fairly sheltered. How is your project going? would love to hear about it

[@johnw65]

Chud327, another Do it Yourselfer, made an outboard motor out of a lawn mower engine that he uses on his barrel boat...

[@michaelfound9010]

I live in Louisiana on gulf of Mexico I'm gonna build one it these, drive it to Mississippi ( 125 miles) the past Alabama to Florida(235 miles). Then gonna hang a rite go to the end of Florida 😎 if she holds up no problems!!!! I m gonna try to make the 90 miles open ocean run to Cuba!! Mite make a KZbin channel just for the trips

[@anneclugston4273]

Legendary plan!! We have travelled to Florida and Cuba (by plane and road) loved looking and reading about this story fla-keys.com/news/article/9351/ Take care. We have taken our pontoon on the ocean off Fremantle only briefly and we didn’t go far

[@anneclugston4273]

Hi, Michael. Did you ever do your trip?

[@rosseverson74]

I am about to build a pontoon from steel drums. My concern is coming up with the best method for attaching the steel drums. My initial thoughts were to weld a mini keel and two top longitudinal beams on a row of drums, plus weld the drum ends together. Or would it be better to keep the drums slightly apart and use straps so as to make it easier to remove a drum if holed? Were there any lessons learnt from your steel pontoon boat?

[@anneclugston4273]

Naleen Saing I will ask my son and let you know what he thinks. They are great fun!

[@rosseverson74]

Thanks, I am keen to hear his recommendations.

[@anneclugston4273]

Naleen Saing - each drum is held on by 2 metal straps with threaded rod welded to the end. We had steel drums originally but they rusted after 1 year in the river. He says if you are building a new one you need plastic. Not enough speed can be generate to warrant the keels. Our pontoons maximum speed is 7 knots. He says google and learn what the pontoon effect means. We put a centre row of drums to overcome any concerns of the pontoon effect. If you use steel paint it.

[@rosseverson74]

Thanks for the information, it has been a great help. I understand the pontoon effect and the need for the middle row of drums and to minimize weight. The info on the speed is helpful. Will use plastic drums if they are available.

[@fasteddiebull]

What about using stainless steel banding used for securing pallets?