05-05-2016, 07:05 PM
[#0000FF]Welcome aboard. Nice lookin' ride. But a lot larger and more complex than any tubes or toons I have modified...so I am really not qualified to make valid suggestions on some of the construction issues.
Best I can suggest is to check out various kinds of heavy sheet metal...like the diamond stuff. I know some folks use that for platforms or to reinforce transoms.
Lean bars? I would use PVC but suspect that metal tubing would be stronger and lighter. The key issue is method of connection...and where. You want to avoid drilling the frame. But there are threaded clamps you can get at plumbing supplies that will clamp over the frame but will take a threaded pipe.
Motor mount and motor size? Weight and placement are the primary concerns. A gas motor weighs more than an electric...but an electric requires a heavy battery. Wherever you put it, it will change the balance and dynamics...but not nearly as much as it would on a 1 man craft. My suggestion is to look at building a combo rear deck and motor mount...with the heavy metal plate material. One 90 degree bend with reinforcing bars should do the job.
If you are putting an electric on, you can probably get by with anything over 30# thrust. But with the 2 person craft you may want to go a bit bigger...and with at least a series 27 deep cycle battery. Good pontoons don't ride deep in the water and have a small "footprint" so you can get decent speed and range with an electric.
Yes, the harbor freight trailers seem to be popular with the tube and toon crowd. Whatever you get, be sure to keep the bearings greased and keep an extra tire.
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Best I can suggest is to check out various kinds of heavy sheet metal...like the diamond stuff. I know some folks use that for platforms or to reinforce transoms.
Lean bars? I would use PVC but suspect that metal tubing would be stronger and lighter. The key issue is method of connection...and where. You want to avoid drilling the frame. But there are threaded clamps you can get at plumbing supplies that will clamp over the frame but will take a threaded pipe.
Motor mount and motor size? Weight and placement are the primary concerns. A gas motor weighs more than an electric...but an electric requires a heavy battery. Wherever you put it, it will change the balance and dynamics...but not nearly as much as it would on a 1 man craft. My suggestion is to look at building a combo rear deck and motor mount...with the heavy metal plate material. One 90 degree bend with reinforcing bars should do the job.
If you are putting an electric on, you can probably get by with anything over 30# thrust. But with the 2 person craft you may want to go a bit bigger...and with at least a series 27 deep cycle battery. Good pontoons don't ride deep in the water and have a small "footprint" so you can get decent speed and range with an electric.
Yes, the harbor freight trailers seem to be popular with the tube and toon crowd. Whatever you get, be sure to keep the bearings greased and keep an extra tire.
[/#0000FF]
[signature]