Check out this completely inflatable pontoon boat built by Ron S. It’s designed for fishing and drifting down rivers, and the goal was to make something lightweight that he could easily hop on and off of wearing waders. Here’s what Ron had to say about it:
“The camo raft in the photo is my 3rd generation. My first raft was the 210D Yellow raft. It has the same basic shape but the center piece is an air filled box 8″ x 40″ x 22” which I heat welded to the pontoons. It was tricky to get the sides with the TPU out while getting the top and bottom TPU in. The reason was so I could do the baffles between the top and bottom and also attach the sides to the pontoons. It was necessary to reinforce the seams between the pontoon and the seat. That was also tricky but do-able. That raft works but due to the square corners on my seat it was difficult to seal and I have yet to find that final pin hole… I tried something different on the 40D red raft and after 20 hours (estimated…) I inflated it and the fabric tore at the intersection of the attached seat and the pontoon. The stress of 2 things inflating in different directions was too much for the 40D. I then dreamed up the Camo raft design. Two pontoons with a top and bottom sheet of fabric connecting the pontoons. Then I built a large seat which fits in the hole. The “seat” is essentially the same as your seat, an easy to build proven design. I made it with the 40D because it will be protected on all sides with 210D and I am shooting for low weight. The air pressure from the seat holds the pontoons apart without stressing one another. The pontoons are 12″ Diameter. It is completely adequate for one person and some gear. It weighs 5lbs and one ounce and rolls up very nicely. I want to float 2 people and I wish I had gone a foot longer and with a 13″ diameter.”
It’s amazing how much volume you can get at such a light weight! Very cool. Thanks, Ron!
