25 1/2' Fishtoon build

[Bmac]

I installed new hubs,wheels,and fenders. Decided to stay with the shorter tires,as many of our ramps get shallow in the summer. They're E-rated 1,650 lbs for the tires and rims. Axles are 3,500's

I was planning on using canvas filler panels in the rail to match the T-top whenever I get it built. Changed my mind again and used 1/4" king star board instead. Went ahead and laced it on anyways. Like it or not,it's different. The front and rear openings will remain open to let the wind through,and slow my drift down.

Also made up an 8 rod carrier that hangs off the 1 1/2" ball bases for the ram rod holders. Just cut a key hole in and snapped them in place. The whole thing pops off in second to slide in the truck. Next I'm going to build a long tackle storage unit down the other rail.

 

[Jonboat Jerry]

Absolutely Killer work Bmac! Looks like a half acre fishing machine!
Thanks for showing what a fishing pontoon is capable of looking like! =D>

 

[Bmac]

Thanks, Jerry

I have more to post,but for some reason it's saying my pics are over 800 pixels wide. Believe photobucket has changed things again. Now I'll have to resize them all.

 

[TMax27]

This thing is crazy! I like it!!!

 

[wely]

I like your build! Can't wait to see the finished product!

 

[TimRich]

Man this thing is crazy! Awesome work! I'd love to have a toon like this...

 

[thewalleyehunter]

I love the rod holders......I might have to borrow your design. :wink:

 

[Country Dave]

Hey Ryan I remember your build from the pontoon Forum. Looks great. I never really finished mine. I've have two different boats since then. :LOL2:

 

[Bmac]

Thanks guys, I can't wait to see it finished too. Dave, I know what you mean. I've had 3 different vehicles,another boat,and a new grandson since I started this one. :mrgreen:

Added two more tubes to the bottom of the tackle side for the 11' rods I like to carry for special occasions. The compartments with the vented bottoms are for drift socks and cast nets. The 12"x27" cutting board is ram mounted like the rod holders,and will fold down between the side boxes. You can move it anywhere along the rails,as all the ball mounts are spaced 24" on center around the railing. Still have some details to finish,like pliers,knives,and buey markers holders, ect....

The tackle side and rod carrier will break down into 5 sections and load up into the pickup in just a few minutes,for those play days with the family.

 

[Flat Bottom]

Looks like a blast! Im at 21ft so i love seeing the longer stuff, gives me great ideas!

 

[Bmac]

Finally got the rest of the pics resized.

Installed the T-top a few weeks ago. I was going to build my own top that folded down,but found this factory top that fit. Not as big as I wanted,but does what I want for about what I would of had in materials. It's plenty stout,and kinda matches the railing. This will give me a little shade while fishing,and not get in the way like a bimini top.

When it folds down it rests against the toekick of the front bench. Shortens the profile by 3 1/2'. Otherwise it would be over 11' tall going down the road. Currently working on an electronics box for the top. Have a stereo to install,some nmea and Ethernet networking on the lowrance stuff,and new shad tanks to get plumbed in. Getting close! Just wish I wasn't working 70+ hrs. this week.

Oh since I took these pics, I've replaced those front seats with some fold down seats. Setting behind the console I can now see the front deck edging. Better visibility now.

 

[Bmac]

Got a good start rigging up the electronics box today. More of a stereo box than anything. Got me thinking how funny this project is. A 8.5' x 24' deck and all my electrical is confined to a small chase along the length above the center tube, a 3' bench seat base, one of the smallest consoles I could find, and a small fiberglass box that's going up in the T-top.

In those areas I have approximately 500' of wiring.
electric/hydraulic jackplate
5 batteries
3 bank,and 2 bank battery chargers
battery isolator
5 pumps
3 timers
20 switches
11 circuit breakers
6 gauges
20 small LED lights
4 large LED's
LED nav lights
2 networked fishfinders
4 transducers
an external gps antenna
trolling motor
am/fm antenna
stereo system with an external source receiver, amp, and an 8" sub
an engine alarm and a horn

No wonder this project is dragging on. I don't know where to stop! :mrgreen:

 

[Gators5220]

Not a big pontoon fan but I must say this is a beautiful rig, and very well done. To a quality I'm surely not able to do, nice job man.

 

[DOBSONFLY]

Too cool, its something different and done well! Good work! =D>

 

[wely]

Keep up the good work! ;-)

 

[Bmac]

Finished up the sound system and the structure scan. Also mounted 8 more of the little bullet LED's into the box,aimed to cast a lite glow across the deck and console. Mounted the amp and sub above the box under the canopy. The sonic hub audio system is networked to the lowrance graph,and controlled there. AM/FM,sirius radio,ipods,usb mp3's. Sounds great in that fiberglass box. Easily listen to it at half volume while motoring across the lake. I had to mount the structure scan outside of the console,and is switched independently for conserving battery when needed. Going to have to stop,as I'm running out of room for electronics. The structure scan transducer is huge, hope the factory bracket holds up.

 

[Bmac]

I crisscrossed some 1/2" bungee's across the back half of the top to form a stretchable net for storing lifevests,rainsuits,deflated tubes,softsided tackle bags,etc. Here's also a pic setting behind the console showing the driving visibility,and the 50 gal. bait tank.

 

[DOBSONFLY]

Just keeps getting better. Still loving your build and love the quality craftsmanship. A+

=D>

 

[Bmac]

Thanks Dobs, the build is about done. Just some loose ends to tidy up. Problem with this one is there's many ends,so even that takes time.

See your from KS. What part? I'm about dead center. Home lakes are Marion and Milford.

 

[bigwave]

Very nice electronic box, I also like the custom bracket you made for the livewell........you put too much more stuff on that thing and you might as well live on it......great job man. =D>