Pontoon Boat & Deck Boat Forum

Going to be starting a toon-up restore on my newly purchased pontoon.... I hope to learn alot of things here...the forum doesn't seem that busy, so we will see....

my first question, and i may be flamed for this, but, in the last two weeks since i bought this boat, i have heard so many different views on wood to use for the deck, I know marine grade is the right way to go, but I have also heard that you can get away with some ACX with some added sealer? Any thoughts?

Welcome aboard! not busy

NO way man marine grade all the way or you will be redoing it in 5 years!

Don't forget we get a 10 percent off discount from pontoonstuff.com code is at the top right of this page. Check out the rebuild thread in my sig for pointers if you have the time.

curtiscapk wrote:Welcome aboard! not busy

NO way man marine grade all the way or you will be redoing it in 5 years!

Don't forget we get a 10 percent off discount from pontoonstuff.com code is at the top right of this page. Check out the rebuild thread in my sig for pointers if you have the time.

I have already went thru your thread completely already, it was one of the reasons i signed up here, seemed to be alot of helpful people in that thread.

I haven't decided what I am going to do about the deck and furniture yet...I have a buddy that has a complete seat set-up, its a bit worn, but alot better then what i have, hes willing to sell it to me for $350...it does have the plastic bases, so I may go that route for now, and possible get them recovered in the future...not sure yet, still trying to get it outta the water so i can really dig into it..

Thanks a lot! you can't beat 350 for a set! Good luck! Holler with any questions!

So is this stuff a total no go? I can get these for $28 a sheet, normally about $40...where as locally I can only find marine grade a few places, and they are $78 - $85 a sheet...

this with sealer?

http://www.homedepot.com/p/Unbranded-Ar ... /100478798

your boat I guess... I know I wouldn't do it.

curtiscapk wrote:your boat I guess... I know I wouldn't do it.

i can appreciate that answer...i have read, everywhere from "no way, no how, marine grade only" to "marine grade is overpriced, when as long as you use non-treated but sealed ACX, you are fine for many many years"

I guess what it comes down to is, how long of an "investment" you are looking to get outta it...looks like i have a decision to make...

*edit* dont get me wrong, the same people that have said marine grade is overpriced, ultimately said its the BEST wood for the condition, just that with such a price difference, you can get away with something else..

I would look at it as for an extra $200 or so, you are guaranteed the longevity. $200 - $300 for a lot of years isn't a bad investment.

$350 for seats is a great deal even if they need recovered eventually.

So I had my first real maiden voyage on Friday, moved the boat from the previous owners dock to mine!

Boat ran ok, only issues I have are, the steering seems pretty stiff, and in order to go in reverse, the throttle needs to put alllllll the way down, once its all the way down, reverse seems to work ok.

Here she is at my dock:


Here is an interior shot:


Here is a question I have, why the small section of wood? I measured the deck and its exactly 16', so wouldn't (4) 4' wide sections be the way to go?

well nothing has been done yet...finding a used pontoon trailer to buy or even rent...has proven to be harder then I thought...

Bart, with regard to the different types of decking you are considering, just keep in mind what the guy says in the Fram Oil Filter commercials: "You can pay me now, or you can pay me later".
Do you really want to take a chance that in 5 years you might have to tear everything down to the deck to replace it for a difference of $200-300 or so?
Good luck!!

bassn386 wrote:Bart, with regard to the different types of decking you are considering, just keep in mind what the guy says in the Fram Oil Filter commercials: "You can pay me now, or you can pay me later".
Do you really want to take a chance that in 5 years you might have to tear everything down to the deck to replace it for a difference of $200-300 or so?
Good luck!!

Believe me, I get where everyone is coming from.....I havent made the decision yet....for what its worth, one of my friends here redid his desk 6 years ago with just standard 5ply exterior grade wood...and it still looks and feels ok, besides maybe the carpet coming up on some sections...

I went to Home Depot to check out this ACX wood that i posted above....although the description doesnt say it, it is 7-ply, and doing a quick look around the cut edges on a few sheets, i saw only one void...

So this rebuild was scrap'd....I took it outta the water this weekend and really was thinking I bit off more work then i really wanted to do...when another buddy of mine tells me that his friend is selling his pontoon probably for cheap...turns out this guy just redid all deck, with all new furniture (from pontoonstuff by the way) about a year and a half ago...so i put this boat on craigslist and sold it within hours of listing it...i bought this one for $800, sold it for $1100 and I am buying the other pontoon tomorrow for $1300...ill make sure to post pics!

Nice flip on the pontoon, plus saving yourself all the work of a rebuild!

I'm on the home stretch on my rebuild, I'd guess I have about 5 full days of work into it so far with two people. Of course this has all been two to four hour stints in the evenings after working a full day.

I did use marine plywood in my build, figured the extra $200 was well worth it!

This is my new ride...'82 Kayot 20' with 25hp Johnson...toon up rebuild 2 years ago...aluminum siding...(6) 6x9's (2)12" woofers, (2) amps....(3) deep cycle batteries with 6/13 date on them with multiple switch...poontoonstuff interior, all wired with pontoonstuff wire loom and switch board...even gave me the custom vinyl wrap to wrap the outside, just got to get it put on....