You’re the best Tom! But I recommend getting a 25’ fish tape from harbor freight or Amazon to help pull wires thru Bimini tops or anything like that. It’ll save Cory the frustration 😂 and save a ton of time.
I haven't tried running a fish tape through, but I'm pretty certain it would get hung up on the hardware that's all over inside of the bimini frame. The vacuum works the wire around the hardware and usually pulls it through pretty quick and easy.
Tom, You have done a Phenomenal job on that custom built ground up toon!!!!! 1/3 the cost of a Name Brand and you know there were no short cuts in the build process. You should be very proud of that work! I don't have an upholsterer anywhere near me that I would trust. I love the sun deck/storage cover. Could you provide your upholsterers website? Or their contact info if they let you? I would send them a detailed drawing of the dimensions of the lid that I would want if they would be willing to create one for me. I wish I lived closer to you!
Thanks for the kind words and for watching! I have a bit of a unique situation with my upholsterer. He's self-taught and works out of his home. I've had others reach out about having sun decks made and shipping them, but unfortunately he said he is already too busy keeping up with his local customers to take on more right now. It may be worth a longer drive to a bigger shop with a good reputation for you to seek out in your state to get it done right.
I enjoy watching all your videos. I’d love to do this. I own an auto repair shop but this would be great to do. We have so many great customers that depend on us so I guess I’ll have to just keep working on vehicle’s
Thank you! It's been a blast to work on boats and to build this channel. I think as small business owners we all look to other things that would be fun to do for a living working for ourselves. I'd love to build more custom fishing boats, but I make my living restoring pontoons so I'm sticking to that as what I do 99% of the time. And if I get some free time I can always weld a boat up!
That boat came out awesome! I would love for you to do a video talking about the pros and cons of each brand of pontoons, Tom's ranking of pontoon brands
Yes! I absolutely love that idea! I have seen the bare bones of dozens of brands from the 1970s to brand new boats. I was thinking of a “Chalkboard Chats” discussing all sorts of topics needing drawings and explanation. Stay tuned!!
Tom, I am sorry I have another question, You went ahead and added the underskin. Can you tell us what the thickness was? And Possibly where you bought it? I have researched videos and I see where it would be beneficial after 15 MPH on the water. And you said it was Not Easy but not hard. Do you have a video of you actually installing that? (This was like fast forwarded) I see the bends, but how did you achieve this? Definitely want to add the underskin. But the prices locally are through the roof!!!! Also; Just watched the NEW video of the fuel gauge. Makes sense. Adding a ground due to mine currently is Plastic, but want a stainless steel filler in the new fencing. Keep up the videos!
Thanks for the questions and for contributing to our channel, so much appreciated! I only had the time lapse of the underskin install. It’s .063 aluminum sheeting. I had it bent about 30 degrees on each side to cover the bolts that came down through holding the toons to the crossmembers. Then just a thinner strip screwed to the inside of the outer pontoons. The center pontoon was built with solid bracing so water couldn’t spray between. I’ll post the pricing breakdown of the project soon, but I can tell you that the aluminum for that was $1,000…and I’d still like to extend it forward in the front. And yes, my mechanic buddy said if it’s plastic you should be just fine, but it’s a good idea to have it on a stainless or cast fill spout!
That was a prototype kit they had at the time. They opted for a more universal design that’s easier to adjust to each boat and install. It’s just what they have on the website now in the kits.
@@tomspontoonswish they had kept that option, it looks awesome! What were the overall dimensions of your railing kit? I know you mentioned the deck was 22'. I'm trying to price out a build for the near future, trying to get my ducks in a row.
It was trickier to install and line up, and I had to fabricate stuff to make it into a sundeck…they didn’t have it as a sundeck kit like they do now. It was just a rear railing with no pad or structure for a sundeck. We had zero front deck on that boat, and about 2’ in the stern for water sports. That’s my favorite layout. So probably a 19’ to 20’ railing kit, with a 21.5’-22’ deck.
We are in the process of pricing out our pontoon restoration and are now trying to figure out if we should carpet or vinyl the floor. The debate starts based on the temperature of the floor in the sun. So we gotta ask, how hot on your feet does the woven vinyl floor get after it's been sitting in the sun for a while?
Every benefit of vinyl outweighs any downside including hot feet. It’s never been so hot you can’t be barefoot, but it gets toasty on a 90 degree day with the sun beating down. When it does, just give it a quick splash or rinse and it good to go for another couple hours. Or pop the Bimini top up and it’ll cool instantly in the shade. Down south things might be a little more extreme, but here in Michigan it does great all around.
@@tomspontoons thanks for the quick response and your thoughts, all great points and I'll share this with the Mrs. Thanks for the videos, keep them up and look forward to seeing more of your efforts.
Just how I was taught back in my marina days to be honest. I'm not sure if it has to do with preventing phantom draws more or something else, but I just follow the way I was taught and the way it's been working for me for years.
My welding skills are getting there! If we can keep growing our TH-cam channel I promise we will do more projects like double deckers, twin motor tritoons, custom decked out fishing machines, and more! Keep sharing our videos when possible to help out!! And thanks for subscribing, commenting, liking, and all that good stuff in the meantime!
We’ve used them on tons of boats, new and old style railings, and they always look sharp. Enter “TOMSTOONS” at checkout to save 5% if you do buy them. Here’s the link: www.PontoonStuff.com/tomstoons Search “wall mount LED navigation lights” and they’ll pop right up!
@@tomspontoons thank you so much, I ordered about 3,000$ worth of stuff from pontoon stuff so far and love all of it. They have cornered the market on pontoons that’s forsure!
@@lucasgarrigan2709 Awesome! Hopefully you took advantage of our discount code! They absolutely have done that with their commitment to making QUALITY aftermarket materials and standing behind them with a great warranty and even better customer service. Best of luck with your project. You'll love that you took it on every time you're out on the water!
@@tomspontoons I forgot to use your discount code!!! I’ve literally purchased fence paneling, plywood, carpet and glue and have been thrilled. I will make sure to use the code next time if I order anything else.
The sundeck was made by a local upholsterer I use often, and the enclosure was build from individual railing pieces. These railings were part of an initial order, sort of prototypes. They will be available hopefully soon!!
You’re the best Tom! But I recommend getting a 25’ fish tape from harbor freight or Amazon to help pull wires thru Bimini tops or anything like that. It’ll save Cory the frustration 😂 and save a ton of time.
I haven't tried running a fish tape through, but I'm pretty certain it would get hung up on the hardware that's all over inside of the bimini frame. The vacuum works the wire around the hardware and usually pulls it through pretty quick and easy.
thankyou tom video
Happy to help!!!
What a fun boat!!!!
Indeed it is!!! Can't wait to share the final episode with everyone!
Love it!!!!!!!
Good!!!
Beautiful boat Tom and Cora ! Love that motor too 👍
Thanks David! We will talk specifics and fun stuff in the final episode, so stay tuned!
Tom, You have done a Phenomenal job on that custom built ground up toon!!!!! 1/3 the cost of a Name Brand and you know there were no short cuts in the build process. You should be very proud of that work!
I don't have an upholsterer anywhere near me that I would trust. I love the sun deck/storage cover. Could you provide your upholsterers website? Or their contact info if they let you? I would send them a detailed drawing of the dimensions of the lid that I would want if they would be willing to create one for me. I wish I lived closer to you!
Thanks for the kind words and for watching! I have a bit of a unique situation with my upholsterer. He's self-taught and works out of his home. I've had others reach out about having sun decks made and shipping them, but unfortunately he said he is already too busy keeping up with his local customers to take on more right now. It may be worth a longer drive to a bigger shop with a good reputation for you to seek out in your state to get it done right.
I enjoy watching all your videos. I’d love to do this. I own an auto repair shop but this would be great to do. We have so many great customers that depend on us so I guess I’ll have to just keep working on vehicle’s
Thank you! It's been a blast to work on boats and to build this channel. I think as small business owners we all look to other things that would be fun to do for a living working for ourselves. I'd love to build more custom fishing boats, but I make my living restoring pontoons so I'm sticking to that as what I do 99% of the time. And if I get some free time I can always weld a boat up!
That boat came out awesome!
I would love for you to do a video talking about the pros and cons of each brand of pontoons, Tom's ranking of pontoon brands
Yes! I absolutely love that idea! I have seen the bare bones of dozens of brands from the 1970s to brand new boats. I was thinking of a “Chalkboard Chats” discussing all sorts of topics needing drawings and explanation. Stay tuned!!
Tom, I am sorry I have another question, You went ahead and added the underskin. Can you tell us what the thickness was? And Possibly where you bought it? I have researched videos and I see where it would be beneficial after 15 MPH on the water. And you said it was Not Easy but not hard. Do you have a video of you actually installing that? (This was like fast forwarded) I see the bends, but how did you achieve this? Definitely want to add the underskin. But the prices locally are through the roof!!!!
Also; Just watched the NEW video of the fuel gauge. Makes sense. Adding a ground due to mine currently is Plastic, but want a stainless steel filler in the new fencing.
Keep up the videos!
Thanks for the questions and for contributing to our channel, so much appreciated!
I only had the time lapse of the underskin install. It’s .063 aluminum sheeting. I had it bent about 30 degrees on each side to cover the bolts that came down through holding the toons to the crossmembers. Then just a thinner strip screwed to the inside of the outer pontoons. The center pontoon was built with solid bracing so water couldn’t spray between. I’ll post the pricing breakdown of the project soon, but I can tell you that the aluminum for that was $1,000…and I’d still like to extend it forward in the front.
And yes, my mechanic buddy said if it’s plastic you should be just fine, but it’s a good idea to have it on a stainless or cast fill spout!
I'm not seeing that angled stern entry option on pontoon stuff, did you guys get that from another supplier?
That was a prototype kit they had at the time. They opted for a more universal design that’s easier to adjust to each boat and install. It’s just what they have on the website now in the kits.
@@tomspontoonswish they had kept that option, it looks awesome! What were the overall dimensions of your railing kit? I know you mentioned the deck was 22'. I'm trying to price out a build for the near future, trying to get my ducks in a row.
It was trickier to install and line up, and I had to fabricate stuff to make it into a sundeck…they didn’t have it as a sundeck kit like they do now. It was just a rear railing with no pad or structure for a sundeck.
We had zero front deck on that boat, and about 2’ in the stern for water sports. That’s my favorite layout. So probably a 19’ to 20’ railing kit, with a 21.5’-22’ deck.
@@tomspontoons appreciate it! Loved the build videos! Keep up the great work!
@@The_Cape_84thank you!!
We are in the process of pricing out our pontoon restoration and are now trying to figure out if we should carpet or vinyl the floor. The debate starts based on the temperature of the floor in the sun. So we gotta ask, how hot on your feet does the woven vinyl floor get after it's been sitting in the sun for a while?
Every benefit of vinyl outweighs any downside including hot feet. It’s never been so hot you can’t be barefoot, but it gets toasty on a 90 degree day with the sun beating down. When it does, just give it a quick splash or rinse and it good to go for another couple hours. Or pop the Bimini top up and it’ll cool instantly in the shade. Down south things might be a little more extreme, but here in Michigan it does great all around.
@@tomspontoons thanks for the quick response and your thoughts, all great points and I'll share this with the Mrs. Thanks for the videos, keep them up and look forward to seeing more of your efforts.
@@ericjohnston3167 thanks for watching!
Just curious why you don’t brake the ground instead of the positive
Just how I was taught back in my marina days to be honest. I'm not sure if it has to do with preventing phantom draws more or something else, but I just follow the way I was taught and the way it's been working for me for years.
What are the chances you add an upper deck and slide? I want to see a Tom’s Toons version of a double decker!
My welding skills are getting there! If we can keep growing our TH-cam channel I promise we will do more projects like double deckers, twin motor tritoons, custom decked out fishing machines, and more! Keep sharing our videos when possible to help out!! And thanks for subscribing, commenting, liking, and all that good stuff in the meantime!
Hey do you have the link for the front nav lights? I like how they are low profile
We’ve used them on tons of boats, new and old style railings, and they always look sharp. Enter “TOMSTOONS” at checkout to save 5% if you do buy them. Here’s the link:
www.PontoonStuff.com/tomstoons
Search “wall mount LED navigation lights” and they’ll pop right up!
@@tomspontoons thank you so much, I ordered about 3,000$ worth of stuff from pontoon stuff so far and love all of it. They have cornered the market on pontoons that’s forsure!
@@lucasgarrigan2709 Awesome! Hopefully you took advantage of our discount code! They absolutely have done that with their commitment to making QUALITY aftermarket materials and standing behind them with a great warranty and even better customer service. Best of luck with your project. You'll love that you took it on every time you're out on the water!
@@tomspontoons I forgot to use your discount code!!! I’ve literally purchased fence paneling, plywood, carpet and glue and have been thrilled. I will make sure to use the code next time if I order anything else.
@@lucasgarrigan2709 Bummer!! All Good though. Anything you order from them you'll be happy with!
Where did you,get the sun deck? This is the new line that pontoon stuff has and I don’t see that for sale. Thanks
The sundeck was made by a local upholsterer I use often, and the enclosure was build from individual railing pieces. These railings were part of an initial order, sort of prototypes. They will be available hopefully soon!!
Also ours is a double decker 30’
@@elainepduncan That's a lot of boat!! We have a video series of restoring a 28' double decker...took up most of my shop!