Pontoon Boat & Deck Boat Forum

I'd love to see some factory floor photos of pontoons being built.

I got to watch my last toon be built. It was a 24' Sundancer. The factory really isn't much. Just tube benders,welders, and large rolls of aluminum panels. From time pontoons were made up till I pulled it home was around 5 hrs. Was neat to talk with those who built the boat.

lakerunner wrote:I got to watch my last toon be built. It was a 24' Sundancer. The factory really isn't much. Just tube benders,welders, and large rolls of aluminum panels. From time pontoons were made up till I pulled it home was around 5 hrs. Was neat to talk with those who built the boat.

That's pretty cool to have seen your own toon being built.

In my prior life I was a safety guy. I have toured Sundancer, Lowe's, G3, and Landau plants from the 80's through the 90's. As a result, I had my mother buy a Sundancer.

So why didn't I buy one? 'Cause I needed a 25 footer, and they don't make those.

I didn't replace my Sundancer with another because they were still using wood for furniture bases and console. Also the only area dealer was a used car lot. I would have no dealer support plus have to go to another dealer for motor

lakerunner wrote:I didn't replace my Sundancer with another because they were still using wood for furniture bases and console. Also the only area dealer was a used car lot. I would have no dealer support plus have to go to another dealer for motor

Ouch!

Frankly, I am surprised that Sundancer's are still being made. They are still family owned and a small workforce, so I guess they can hang on better than those with huge overheads. Bob Falconer (hence Falcon Industries, the maker of Sundancer pontoons) used to work for Lowe's until he patented an extruded pontoon attachment clip and started his own shop. Unfortunately he died some years ago.

OP did you go through the Playcraft factory at Richland?
Here's 3 of their boats http://picasaweb.google.com/shootmor/HotAndColdToons#

fishmor wrote:OP did you go through the Playcraft factory at Richland?
Here's 3 of their boats http://picasaweb.google.com/shootmor/HotAndColdToons#

No, sure didn't

An interesting fact about Richland is that is where the Appleby family started to build aluminum boats in the "50's. They made some that were sold to Sears. The original owner of Lowe's married into the Appleby family and started his own business. after they sold out, the son, Brent Lowe, stated G3 (3rd generation of boat builders) as soon as the non-compete ran out.

I believe Landau worked for either Appleby or Lowe's, but memory is getting fuzzy.

The long history of aluminum boat building is why Tracker built there plant in Lebanon, across I44 from Lowe's and Landau.