Abstract: A pontoon (20) for a boat (22) includes a base member (24) and a closure member (26) which are attached to form a U-shaped performance structure and a cylindrical support structure. A foam (74) filled nose cone (29) is connected to front ends (36,46) of the base member (24) and closure member (26), and an end cap (28) is connected to the back ends (38,48) thereof to form an air tight chamber (66) in the support structure. The pontoon (20) is connected to a deck (30) of the boat (22), so that the pontoon (20) contacts the deck (30) along the entire length of the pontoon (20).

Abstract: A recreational boat comprising first and second sheets of aluminum having respective first and second longitudinal edges, the first sheet having a first bend extending along a majority of the length of the first sheet between the first and second longitudinal edges of the first sheet, the second sheet having a second bend extending along a majority of the length of the second sheet between the first and second longitudinal edges of the second sheet, the first sheet and the second sheet affixed along the respective first longitudinal edges to form a centerline of the boat, a plurality of transverse ribs affixed to the first and the second sheets, first and second inboard vertical walls, and first and second narrow side decks each having an outer edge portion and an inner edge portion, the first narrow deck outer edge portion affixed to the second longitudinal edge of the first sheet and the first narrow deck inner edge portion affixed to the top of the first vertical wall, the second narrow deck outer edge por

Abstract: A recreational boat comprising first and second sheets of aluminum having respective first and second longitudinal edges, the first sheet having a first bend extending along a majority of the length of the first sheet between the first and second longitudinal edges of the first sheet, the second sheet having a second bend extending along a majority of the length of the second sheet between the first and second longitudinal edges of the second sheet, the first sheet and the second sheet affixed along the respective first longitudinal edges to form a centerline of the boat, a plurality of transverse ribs affixed to the first and the second sheets, first and second inboard vertical walls, and first and second narrow side decks each having an outer edge portion and an inner edge portion, the first narrow deck outer edge portion affixed to the second longitudinal edge of the first sheet and the first narrow deck inner edge portion affixed to the top of the first vertical wall, the second narrow deck outer edge por

Abstract: A boat comprising a deck having thereon a helm, and a canopy operable in a first mode wherein the canopy is spaced a first distance above the deck and a second mode wherein the canopy is spaced a second distance less than the first distance above the deck and wherein the canopy permits an operator to be positioned at the helm.

Abstract: A pontoon log is formed by welding the upper flanged edges of a U-shaped hull member to the side edges of a flat top plate. At points at which the deck beams are to be attached to the log, the log top plate is notched and the weld is continued around the perimeter of each notch. The deck beams are bolted to the pontoon log with the bolts passing only through the hull flange in the region of the notches and hence outboard of the weld line. The modified embodiments, various types of spacers and clips are provided to reinforce the hull flange in the region of deck beam attachment.