Scratch pontoon boat build

[wakeboardfusion]

I have started a pontoon build with some extra parts and an ep1 I had laying around. Pontoons are black ABS 2" pipe, I know they may be a bit heavy to float well, but one 24" holds over 3 pounds, so with two 24" and one 10" it should hold the weight. I found eggs from hobby lobby, cut them in half for the front and back of the toons. Motor mount is 1/2" ply. Here are some pictures so far.

http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y68/wakeboardfusion/3bfcf3ddf67e670c50e7c881281578dc.jpg
http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y68/wakeboardfusion/bc3c2b0d3ca6bdf5d11a23f7998ff13f.jpg
http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y68/wakeboardfusion/4f6afc0737dbe38d7a874bd7d04cba10.jpg
http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y68/wakeboardfusion/fd05057b4febd56547b6b5c7414e9bf5.jpg
http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y68/wakeboardfusion/4f2494f8f48cb147b903a683cf230b18.jpg

[Cooper]

Looks pretty cool so far. I too have taken interest in the scale builds. Just finished up a springer tug. My neighbor was looking into building a pontoon so I'll forward this thread to him, and maby he has some ideas. I'll keep watching. :)

[wakeboardfusion]

Got the pontoons mounted and did a test fit on the motor. I need to epoxy the underside to waterproof, what can I dilute 2 part epoxy with to coat it?

http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y68/wakeboardfusion/1794705b9f5c8b853c81e86a5877b4bc.jpg

[Cooper]

Some say denatured alcohol , me, acetone , a little bit goes a long way. As long as you are using a slow cure epoxy. You don't want the epoxy to set up before the thinning agent evaporates if so the epoxy will not harden to a desirable degree. I'm not an expert so see what others say. And if its a coating then ok but structural I would not thin but use the appropriate epoxy. Finishing resin should be thin enough to coat. Again just my opinion as I may be wrong So see what others say also.

[BlackSnakeRacing]

when i do my scratchbuild airboats from ply i usually use finishing epoxy, its alot thinner than 30min and is easy to spread/brush on and gives a good seal. I have 2 that are over 3 years aold with alot of use on them and they are still in perfect nick, no water has started seeping through the epoxy. I run them across the water and flat out up the bank and back to the car along a rocky track ;)

[wakeboardfusion]

If I primer/paint the wood should I still use finishing epoxy or is that just added weight?

[BlackSnakeRacing]

i epoxy then paint over the top, if you paint first the epoxy doesnt bond as well and can peel off in my experience. First one i built i tried painting first and when sanding a few lumps out of thye epoxy it was peeling off in my hands after 3 days cure time.

[philg]

I`m looking at building a pontoon as a camera platform for cataloging the local wildlife on the wetlands where I live.
I will be watching this build with interest as this will be my first boatish build.
What total weight are you looking at,and what motor are you using?

cheers.

[wakeboardfusion]

Phil- I am going to use the stock EP1 outboard and motor. Not sure if I will use a traxxas XL5 waterproof, or a water cooled ESC yet. (not sure I will need it) As far as weight, I am just ballparking at 6 pounds. The pontoons should be able to float 10, but I will have to do a float test to verify that.

[wakeboardfusion]

http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y68/wakeboardfusion/2013-01-30_09-04-31_369.jpg
http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y68/wakeboardfusion/2013-01-30_09-04-16_558.jpg
http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y68/wakeboardfusion/2013-01-30_09-03-53_913.jpg
http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y68/wakeboardfusion/2013-01-30_09-03-32_236.jpg
http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y68/wakeboardfusion/2013-01-30_09-03-22_402.jpg

It weighs in at 4.8 pounds as it sits. As you can see with a 3 pound weight it is a bit heavy. I'm sure the boat will float, but I need to make it on the lighter side.

[philg]

Thanks for the reply and info mate.
My machine is made of 100mm PVC pipe and aluminium top plate, and so far weighs 10 pounds.

I`m looking at this motor http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/store/uh_viewItem.asp?idproduct=17707 running on 4S to start with.
I`m still looking at which ESC to use.

I`ll post something as I get it together.

[iridebikes247]

This thing is really cool, nicely built. looking to build something similar this summer that can pilot a 6 pack of beer out to my friends swimming on the lake haha. Anyway good luck with it!

[Darin Jordan]

Looks like it would be excellent with a pair of Pro Boat Stiletto Outboards mounted... One on each sponson! A pair of 1500KV MG motors on 3S instead of 4... would be just about right!

[wakeboardfusion]

Two of those will push it very well. I am hoping to get my shipment of finish resin from HK soon to get back to working on the boat