I am a very social bass angler. I spend most of my

[Xander]

I am a very social bass angler. I spend most of my time deep sea fishing, but do love the odd bass fishing weekend as there are lots of farm dams in my area and there is a annual bass comp that gives you access to over 40 dams to fish on.

I have build a frame (copy from a friend's purchased one) with seat etc. I have a friend that does metal work etc so making it is an hours job.

Step 2 - The pontoons. Now I need them. I don't feel like spending big bucks on buying new ones or even second hand (well maybe if there is a good deal) coz remember I only do this socially with friends.

I want to make my own ones. I have some ideas cutting tractor tubes and getting speedy's to weld it for me, also there is the polystyrene covered in fibreglass one.

What do you suggest? Anyone? Who has done this before?

 

[Hannes101]

Try those 350mm pvc water pipes with a thickness of 4mm or less. cut it 1.8 m sections and use alum square tubing to buld the seat frame. The lighter the better

 

[Hannes101]

This is the best one i found so far cant go wrong

 

[Xander]

My end result.

Matarial for frame etc - R200

Pontoons - R1400 (Top of the range from Feral Inflatables.)

On the maiden trip I managed to bag some decent size big mouth bass. Comfy as hell and I love it!!

 

[Spinner]

Hi Xander

I am also interested in building my own pontoon kickboat.  I like your very practical set-up.

What is the weight of those pontoons and how easy will they fit in the boot of a car?

Cheers

Ryno

 

[Xander]

Hi Spinner. The pontoons deflate so can roll them up and fit into a normal tog bag so it will not be a problem. They are very light especially when inflated and are very buoyant. I am 6foot5 and about 110kgs, and you can see the water mark on the pontoon from fishing in the weeds. They can take lots of weight so am looking at maybe getting a trolling motor with battery box. Very nice pontoons, will definitely recommend them. You get one of those normal double action hand pumps for inflatable stuff, you pick them up at Pick and Pay for under R100 and it does the trick in like 5min. Or go for one you plug in your car's sigarette lighter, they are about R150 and then sit back with a warm coffee...

 

[Spinner]

What size are your pontoons?  It would be useful to know - I am similarly built.

According to Will from Feral Inflatables they come in 3 standard sizes:  1.8m x 350mm; 2m x 350mm and 2m x 400mm. 

 

 

[Xander]

Its the Large ones. You get a 3 year warrantee with them.

 

[cranky]

i have attached a picture of my most recent project...cost just over R1000...the most expensive part is the pontoons.

i am busy building one with a trolling motor...fish finder...livewell...cooler box and an umbrella for those 30+ summer days.

 

 

 

 

 

[Xander]

Nice one cranky. I built one for my brother with that type of chair, looks very similar. I opted for the comfy lawn chair...
The umbrella will not be a great idea hey, you will end up being blown all over the dam and need to keep moving to compensate for the wind.
Gives me an idea, has anyone ever heard of Kite Bassing? Start a new craze, get one of those stunt kites and use it to power yourself around a big dam...ha, ha!

 

[cranky]

i have started building and selling kickboats...will post a pic of the one i sell.

i am busy designing a frame which you will able to strip 4 wing nuts... fit into a bag so you can transport in a car...complete with rod holders and fold away crate.

modified my kickboat in the pic to fit a trolling motor and rod holders...took it for a trial run yesterday at shongweni...i have a few challenges which i will work on this week.

 

 

 

 

 

 

[cranky]

here is a pic of the kickboat in the boot of a vw polo broken down...just 4 wing nuts to strip...and the 2 long arms fit on the back seat.

 

[cranky]

rory doing a quality inspection on our basic kickboat ready for delivery. 

 

[tauruck]

Very neat. That looks like a winner.

 

[cranky]

thanks....it has taken years of experimenting (lots of time on the water for test runs in the   :fishn catching nice  ) to finally come up with the ideal super light strong frame with the best quality material for the pontoons and what is most important is it is practical...fits into a normal sedan.

we are already busy with the next project...went for test runs on sunday...a comfortable high speed kickboat which can run in both directions with the least  resistance...be small and light enough to fit into a vehicle with out having to strip it completely...and you might even be able to stand on it...but that we will only know once we modify the deck...it is gona have a fishfinder...trolling motor...adjustable rod holders...umbrella...cooler box for the cooldrinks/beers...livewell and have enough battery power to fish dams like inanda alberts etc...but the most important thing will be the cost...other wise you might as well buy a boat.

because i enjoy power fishing it will have a need for speed...i tried it with a 30 lb on sunday tooooo slow...next run will be with a 54 lb with 2 x 105 amp/hr batteries...while fishing...if you see this thing come flying past you and think is it a bird...is it a plane... not it will just be me trying out my new project

 

 

 

[Xander]

Nice cranky. The one I built also has wing nuts and the chair folds up and have a fold up crate so fits in my hatch back! You will see that my rods face the other way, the reason behind this is so that I don't have to worry about breaking a tip when launching, coming back or getting lures out of the weed. When the rods face backwords they seem to be in the way a lot. I have also fitted a strap at the bottom of my chair so when the boat is ready and inflated (rods and other things on) I can pick it up and put the strap over my shoulder and carry the boat keeping it the same as it would be floating. Very handy as I can now load all by the car and then walk everything in one trip down to the water.

Building something yourself is always the best way to go. It makes you appreciate it more and gives you a sense of wellbeing.

DIY ROCKS!!!

 

[Bono vox]

Hi, Cranky

 

Awesome home design and build. Almost exactly what I want/need. Where does one get the pontoons made up. The whole kickboat for just over R1000? Wow! Would it be stable enough for the rocking created by fly-casting? After all, I want a kick boat for flyfishing.

 

Cheers

 

[Xander]

Bono vox you don't have to worry. They stable as hell. You won'r have a problem. I tested mine out in the pool and did everything i could think of, even stand on the chair. No worries. If you get these type of pontoons though. The ones I got was from Feral Inflatables. They are a bit pricey, but top of the range and carries a 3 year warrantee.

 

[Bono vox]

You're a star. Thanks so much. What are the specs of the pontoons?

 

[Xander]

Pontoons - R1400, 2m x 400mm. Nice and big. Give Will from Feral Inflatables a call on 083 415 6026 or email - feral@telkomsa.net.