Aussie Builds His Own Pontoon Boat

A BoatTEST.com member writes -- "Over the last 18 months I have contacted various (maybe around 15) companies throughout the US asking for price on pontoon boats and shipping costs to Australia and have never had a reply – nothing, not even a note to say they weren’t interested. Sooooo I went to the US to source furniture, built my own pontoon boat. And now I’m awaiting my second shipment of furniture to build my second pontoon boat."

Watch out, Yanks, there is a new pontoon boat maker in Australia and he is all gassed up and ready to go.

The BoatTEST reader goes on to say --

"Our first boat test report is coming up in a magazine over here in March, so I will be interested in reading what they say.

This is Neil’s first toon, but another one is on the way.

Not His First Tune

"You may be interested to know that I bought a U.S. pontoon boat from a dealer over here in Australia a couple of years ago. He is now out of business as is the majority of them over here. During that time I contacted the manufacturer, re: accessories, technical questions, etc. and never got a reply. Nothing. Same goes with two other friends who both have different makes of American pontoon boats and they say the same -- they never get replies.

"I guess its because we are too far away and so they are not interested...still, we did buy their product so wouldn’t you expect that we would get some sort of answer?

"Anyhow, I would still like to purchase a top quality US boat as they are so good looking -- almost as good as mine! (Only joking!)

"I have attached some photos of our boat for BoatTEST.com to see and I would even appreciate your comments. In fact, why not come over to Aus for a boat test? But remember no flat lakes over here, mate. It’s all saltwater with 2’ chop and 4' wakes from the BIG boats going flat-out. But, WE LOVE IT !

I million fuel tanks helped pay for this Aussie Toon.

This Aussie is Tanked Up

"Our main line of work is aluminium fuel tanks for trucks hence the reason for doing pontoon boats. Pontoons are just a long fuel tank to us, and
after doing a million or so fuel tanks we are more than qualified. I would be keen to supply the tubes for U.S. builders, or get boats over here and we make the
tubes to go under U.S.-made surperstructures, to save on freight cost.

"If you find someone interested in selling me a pontoon boat or needs a distributor over here let me know."

Kind regards

Neil Stapleton 0419675898