Step 4 of Our Pontoon Build: Progress Update and Next Steps
Welcome back to our pontoon build journey! If you've been following along on our blog, you know that we're now diving into Step 4 of our project. It's been an exciting and productive ride so far, so let’s take a quick recap.
Step 1 Recap: Building the Foundation
We started by bolting the cross members onto the outside pontoons, creating the solid foundation needed for our build. Next, we added a third pontoon in the middle, transforming our boat into a tri-toon—providing that extra stability and space we wanted for maximum performance. After the pontoons were in place, we went ahead and mounted the transom, the crucial part of the boat that will support the motor. With the core structure now intact, it was time to focus on the decking and flooring.
Step 2: Laying the Marine Grade Plywood
After securing the main frame, we turned our attention to the decking. The first step in this process was laying out and installing the CCA marine grade plywood. Why CCA, you ask? CCA (chromated copper arsenate) treated plywood is specifically designed to withstand moisture and environmental wear, making it the perfect material for marine applications. We made sure every piece was properly aligned and securely fastened, ensuring a solid and smooth foundation for the vinyl flooring that would follow.
Step 3: Installing the Vinyl Flooring
With the plywood in place, the next step was laying down the vinyl flooring. After careful consideration, we chose a durable, marine-grade vinyl that could handle the tough conditions of life on the water. Using a high-quality marine vinyl glue adhesive, we rolled the vinyl out, ensuring it adhered seamlessly to the plywood underneath.
What’s Next?
With the decking and flooring done, we're getting closer to bringing our pontoon to life. Up next, in step 4 we’ll be focusing on adding the outside trim banding. The first step in adding the trim banding is to lay out all the pieces and decide where the seams will go. Most suppliers offer trim banding in 8' and 16' sections, but we prefer 8' sections for easier transport. Once we had our layout mocked up, it was time to cut the pieces to the correct length. These trim banding pieces are made of high-quality aluminum, and we used a miter saw with a sharp metal blade to make the cuts. It's important to cut slowly and steadily to ensure a clean, precise finish.
After the pieces were cut to size and fit into place, we secured them to the plywood deck using # 12 pan-head screws and matching finish washers, placing a screw every 2 feet. The finish washers help create a polished, professional appearance when the installation is complete.
With the trim banding in place, we moved on to the final step—installing the four corner covers. Just like the trim banding, each corner cover was secured with the same mounting hardware.
Stay tuned for the next step in the build: installing the railing system!
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