Pontoon Boat Tips and Tactics
These tips are based using North Fork Outdoor inflatable pontoon boats; however some may be applicable to a verity of manufactures and personal boats.
Mount a trolling motor by using the transom of the rear cargo deck. Cut a piece of 2X4 to fit the entire inside length of the cargo deck. You may end up leaving the 2X4 in place when using a motor or not. If so, consider bolting into place for a semi permanent fixture.
Off set the motor towards your dominate side for easier access, and to avoid interfering with the anchor system.
Strap the cargo deck to both D-rings and directly to the frame (4 total straps) for a more secure attachment, especially when using a motor.
Glue extra patch kit material on cargo deck at points of contact to the frame to reduce scratching of the hammer-tite powder coating.
Glue extra patching material on the bottom of cargo deck at the point of contacts with the inflatable tubes to reduce discoloration and wear from the metal cargo deck.
Replace the wing nut on the anchor pulley located on the cargo deck with a regular nut for a cleaner finish.
Consider using regular nuts or even locking nuts instead of the manufactured supplied wing nuts for a cleaner finish.
To remove the extra length of the threaded bolts from below the seats using a hack saw. Make sure to thread a nut into place before cutting. Therefore you are able to back the bolt off the threads after cutting and maintain the thread of the bolt.
Use proper length of wood screws to attach a swivel or pedestal to seats. This is for a permanent attachment.
Place felt, as used for the foot of chairs on hard floors, under the arm of the standing platform where it rests on the frame and below where the lean bar attaches to reduce noise and scratching.
Use heat shrinking tubing over the small arms on the front end of the standing platform to reduce noise a scratching when sliding the standing platform.
Replace D-clips with pins secured with cotter pins to for a cleaner finish. Make sure to use the same size diameter pin!
Place 1” dowel rod into lean bar at the connection to the standing platform for greater lateral strength. First, place dowel rod into lean bar tubing as far as possible, then cut excess length. Note: In order to create a lean bar stop cut dowel at appropriate angle on each side! Finish be drilling the pin hole using existing holes in aluminum tubing as guide hole. At the stage you may want to drill from both ends for a straight hole.