As soon as I saw your cool solar pontoon boat I had the idea of making a floating fire pit to attach to the front between the pontoons. That way you could get the whole camping experience and not go on land. Excellent build.
I had the exact same thought when we were out camping on the boat!!! I haven't quite figured out yet how to do that safely though. I think next year I will rebuild part of the boat and improve it where I can, maybe by then I can come up with something.
@@adrianwoodworm Thin walled steel box tube for the floats wouldn't melt, but I don't know if you have a welder. Otherwise, I think you could just use polystyrene if you insulated it with that ceramic insulation and spaced a couple sheets of sheet metal over it. Like you did for the woodstove in the houseboat.
Really nice additions. Completely agree with your commonsense, practical, frugal methods when possible. Don't let the armchair web perfectionists get you down! :)
Every one of your videos is truly impressive all the way through the detail of the project itself and the slickness of the presentation. While it is obvious that you have a stupendous skill set, I am always impressed by how you finish off the practical detail such that all elements work easily and with longevity. The pontoon boat is awash with examples. The connections between the platform and tubes - between the canopy and the platform - between the solar panel and the arches......and so on. "Thumbs up" are one thing but thunderous applause would be more appropriate. Many thanks for all the effort you put into RU-vid. Your houseboat is certainly going to be a classic, once finished..
Thank you very much! I have to admit though things look and fit better on video vs in real. The camera doesn't seem to pick up the small flaws (and it is very easy to hide the enormous mess on the other side of the frame😆)
I love it! Great job! Our very first solar powered boat had solid pontoons, two large batteries and only 90w solar panel. Later we had an array 500w of solar power and could cruise all day. Our latest boat is a small yacht, 1.5kw of solar and we do expeditions on large inland waters.
You could probably modify the pieces that make up your deck to connect together to make a box to keep all the other parts of the boat in when it's not in use. Maybe just a couple of corner pieces, with a dowel and hole at 90 degrees from each other, if you didn't want to modify the actual deck pieces.
Have you thought of capping some sewer pipe to create outriggers in the event of extreme weather so that you don't capsize? Extreme waves especially on the ocean could capsize you. Also gutters in a bucket can create a collection well in the event you end up too far from shore. Plus a pot a pan of ferrocerium rod saw knife paracord sanitizing liquid and whatever else you want in case of a Gilligan situation
Due to the two pontoons that are basically set up like a catamaran, the boat is extremely stable, so there is no need for outriggers. Regarding extreme waves and the ocean: this boat has absolutely no business on the ocean in extreme conditions and it is not what I designed it for. Your ideas for the rain gutter and the other gear are great! I have to say though, I am a bit too old for getting myself into those extreme survival situations😄 on the other hand, you can never be prepared enough, I do have always a plastic crate with me with some essentials: water, knife, multi-screwdriver, wire, lighter, rope, additional live jackets and good old ductape. I would like to add in the future a first aid kit, a signal air horn, a flare and sanitizing liquid as you suggested, good call btw!
@@adrianwoodworm on my budgetary limitations of $454 a month American before bills barring a miracle I would need to build it on $500 or less total cost and if I were building it with how many times I've been homeless I would need to build it like a mini floating mobile home making it necessary for outriggers if only because I couldn't afford the mistake if it went down but I love what you've done with the place keep up the good work and I love the videos too
great for where your located but the south texas sun murders pvc flotation in 1 to 2 years, and the tarps might be gone within the first year. people in the south need to stick to there is another inflatable floatation material but it is super expensive which would be outside your range i know.
Yeah, I can imagine, the sun can be surprisingly brutal. I would be curious about the other inflatable material you mentioned. Do you remember what it is called?
I’ve been thinking about building a 20’x8’ barge but this little boat has me rethinking things. Thank you so much for the inspiration? Also, when do you hope to launch your houseboat?
Thank you for watching! The summer has been very busy so far and I didn't get to work on it the last couple weeks, so things are moving slow on that front. I don't think I will be able to launch before the end of next summer. I want to take my time with it and work on it as time and money allows. It is definitely a longterm project but I promise to keep you guys updated!
Der See heißt Nukko lake! Das ist ungefähr 40min. außerhalb von Prince George in British Columbia! Vielen dank für das Video anschauen! Viele liebe grüße zurück an alle!!!👋🇨🇦
I'm not sure what you are talking about, but I had the boat in the water all summer, used it about twice a week for multible hours each and only used the solar panels to charge the batteries. They haven't been hooked up to the grid once, so I would call that solar powered.
@dennisdickinson8337 No, I can't, nor do I claim that. But I do claim that the system can run on solar only when used in a reasonable way, which doesn't include running it 24/7 for every normal thinking person. Your claim that this setup is only solar assisted would apply that there is another primary power source, which is simply incorrect.
How do you deal.with the voltage? Solar panels always come in 12 volts I find and motors way higher like 48 I'm trying to build something with no battery usage at all. Just straight solar to power output
The newport motor was the biggest motor I could find that runs on 12 volt. So that part was no problem. I don't know enough about this topic to tell you if it is possible to run the power directly to the motor. For me personally it wouldn't be an option since I would want to be able to run the motor at any time, in the dark and when it is too cloudy for the panels to produce enough power. Good luck with your project!
