Just be careful when creating "hard points" that you spread the load
smoothly out to the skins. Any abrupt change in loading such as occurs at
the edge of a metal backing plate will lead to failure in that area.

Prime areas for concern include deck attachment points and bulkhead to skin
joins.

Big epoxy fillets are good; as are stacked backing plates of decreasing size
with the largest and limpest next to the skin.

Roger

http://home.earthlink.net/~derbyrm

"M Russon" wrote in message
...
Dear Group,
I am interested in some feedback on pontoon construction. I have
looked at several designs for wood pontoons with fiberglass over them.
I would not be building something huge, perhaps about 18 feet max. Has
anyone had experience building a pontoon? I have built wood/fiberglass
construction before, but never a pontoon. Ideas on floatation foam and
bulkheads? Proper support for deck attachment? Etc. Thanks a ton for
any feedback.


M Russon