Hello from Maryland

[Jpford]

I am a new forum member and a new pontoon boat owner. I live less than a mile from the Chesapeake Bay and my previous boats have always been deep V dual consoles.

But, I am one of the blessed 28% to make it out the other end of an Acute Myeloid Leukemia diagnosis. And after 3 years of full time fighting and 5 bone marrow cycles, I am ready for a family focused project.

My boating goals are to have more room for family, including young grandchildren, to swim off the port side while chicken neckin' for crabs off the starboard. To explore the tributaries and picnic and pull a tube occasionally.

I bought a late 80's Sunchaser with pontoons in great condition...freshwater only. Nothing else could be salvaged except fence and deck. It came with a good condition trailer and i bought an eTec 50 with boat show warranty and rigging deal in January. Deck is 8' x 20'4". Am building a new transom.

I have designed a new deck layout that I think will fit my needs but would love to hear input from you all who have more experience. Basically my plan is a 30" swim platform at the bow outside the playpen. Lean back lounges on each side in the front, a port gate, a small L shaped lounge behind the port gate, a pop up changing room with chemical toilet behind the L-shaped seats, a stern gate butted up against the starboard side. Starboard side helm and console with a 15" wide 5 gallon capacity sink in front of the helm. 70 qt. Marine cooler will slide in front of port gate while underway and provide cooling for lunch and iced tea! Bimini top will provide shade (frame is usable) but don't have canvas budgeted yet.

Flooring will be commercial grade vinyl. Our dog will be first mate!


I'm leaning toward pontoonstuff for the seating. They've provided me with patient answers, but they do not sell a popup changing table. Wife hates the thought of mismatched colors.

I live in the upper bay area, less rough water than the lower bay, and plan to dock in a botel to take advantage of the only floating docks around. Otherwise tide differences on a fixed dock could present me some trouble...I've lost some flexibility, but an working to regain it.

So, what am I missing?

Thanks in advance for your input

Jeff

[smltooner]

Welcome to the club.
Sounds like a great project.

[robertm]

Congrats on a new lease on life and never giving up! Sounds like you have an awesome new project which will give you many more great memories with the ones that matter most.

I have no specific advice for you on the pontoon other than just do what the wife wants. She'll get her way in the end anyways and you can save yourself a lot of grief along the way.

[curtiscapk]

Welcome! Sounds great! Check my rebuild in my signature for tips, if you have the time.

would this work? You can keep the potty under a seat and use this when you need it.

http://www.pontoonstuff.com/collections ... n-w-zipper

[badmoonrising]

Welcome ! I'm from Chesapeake City. Getting my boat ready to go this week, we usually hang out on the Bohemia at the duck blind. See ya on the bay !

[RcgTexas]

Welcome!

[farmer_dre]

Welcome from NOVA SCOTIA!

Sounds like a fun Project! it well be neat to see the progress!

[Jpford]

Gee. It took me a while to figure out this forum and how to reply!

Thanks for all the warm welcomes. I'm excited about all the information on this forum and have to figure out how to post my before pictures.

Badmoonrising, I spend I good amount of time dog training at the canal and folks live on the shore so I do the 213 /313 trip quite often. I'll wave as I cross the Bohemia bridge!

Curtiscpak, I considered the drop down curtain and family said it wouldn't feel secure enough for a potty. Thanks for the photo example.

Jeff

[Gonefishing]

Pontoons have the curtain. It is plenty secure mine came with a changing room. Which is a curtain that zips up has a Porta pottie inside . Have had no problems using it.