Pontoon Boats
Issue link: http://suncatcher.uberflip.com/i/583125
SunCatcher Foundation There are as many ways to build a pontoon as there are ways to build a house, and the quality of both depend on building on a solid foundation. The best way to have a superior foundation when building a superior pontoon boat is by through-bolting one-piece extruded cross members directly to the top of "U"-shaped flotation logs. This is a more labor intensive method of construction and very few pontoon manufacturers pursue this method. SunCatcher construction not only through-bolts all cross members directly to high-volume "U"-shaped logs, but also attaches all cross members 16" on-center, for the full length of the boat. Others often use 16" OC only for their premium series, or not at all. G3 uses 16" OC cross members for all models, and this provides unsurpassed strength and rigidity for all SunCatcher foundations. Other manufacturers using spot-welded "M"-shaped brackets, are compensating for the lack of flat surface space on top of a round pontoon log, and are creating an artificial flat platform on which they place cross members and attach a deck. This spot welding makes the "M" brackets inherently weaker than the SunCatcher "U"-Log construction method. "U"-shaped logs sit higher in the water with less drag on the side of the pontoon. This results in more efficient use of fuel, and higher performance, than the low-volume round logs many manufacturers use to save costs. SunCatcher pontoons give you "quality you can trust" due to all of these reasons. Flotation Blocks With the additional closed-cell foam flotation blocks inside the logs, SunCatcher construction goes above and beyond the industry standard. Even the Coast Guard does not require the additional foam flotation found in all SunCatcher pontoons, we add it simply for your family's peace of mind. It is called "redundant flotation" and it means that unlike air-filled round logs, you will always have "back- up" flotation even in the unlikely event of a log puncture. These lightweight foam blocks DO NOT absorb water and add even more rigidity to the log, which eliminates flex and increases performance. Nosecones A word about nosecones. Very few manufacturers go to the trouble of making nosecones out of a heavier gauge material than their logs. We like the added durability, so all SunCatcher pontoons feature heavier gauge nosecones, and our tri-logs feature extra reinforcement of heavy-duty .125 gauge aluminum in this high-wear area. One-piece extruded cross members form a solid foundation Cross members through-bolted to full length of deck and nosecone Heavier gauge nosecones provide added durability Closed-cell foam flotation 48