Replace Pontoon Canopy with Trampoline??

(sbt3) · (sbt3) **Join Date: Jun 2002** 10-12-2009, 1:47 PM

Earlier this summer we were hanging on the pontoon boat and I saw a pontoon with a hard top and they had a little exercise tramp the kids were jumping off of.

It quickly got my wheels turning and I thought what if we took the canopy of the pontoon and replaced it with a 8x14 rectangular trampoline. It would still provide sun protection for people if you wanted to sit under it as long as no one was jumping. It would be ridiculously fun. I figure the mat would be about 7 feet off the top of the deck. We would use some stainless tubing to provide mounting between the tramp frame and the deck of the boat. I've got it pretty well figured out in my head. We'd also have a net to prevent people from landing in the front of the boat.

Has anyone seen anything like this before. I've search around but can't find anything. I'm sure nobody makes one from a liability standpoint but I'd be interested to see if it's been done before.

Any other thoughts or drawbacks besides the obvious?

(polarbill) · (polarbill) **Join Date: Jun 2003** 10-12-2009, 2:00 PM

sounds like fun

(wake1823) · (wake1823) **Join Date: Dec 2005** 10-12-2009, 2:18 PM

Do you have responsible friends? lol. I could see some really stupid s_it being done off the tramp into the water. Me personally....wouldn't want the liabilty.

(bill_airjunky) · (bill_airjunky) **Join Date: Apr 2002** 10-12-2009, 2:19 PM

I've never seen it done on a pontoon. But I know of some guys in Texas who did it as an integrated part of the tower on a Mastercraft. Looks like a lot of fun to me. I'm not sure I'd do it on a boat that comes from the factory with a tower on it. But it has to improve the value on a boat like an MC 205 in these pics.

They talked about making them for sale at some point. I haven't heard if it ever got off the ground though.

Upload

(sbt3) · (sbt3) **Join Date: Jun 2002** 10-12-2009, 2:31 PM

Bill-That is sweet... exactly what I was thinking only bigger. Thanks for the pics.

Sam- yeah I'm sure there would be plenty of stupid crap being done off of it. It's actually my friends pontoon and he's all for it.

(bmartin) · (bmartin) **Join Date: Jan 2007** 10-12-2009, 2:52 PM

I like the idea....but I bet there are some civil attorneys out there that like that idea even more.

(dhcomp) · (dhcomp) **Join Date: Jun 2003** 10-12-2009, 3:15 PM

That is retarded

(mastercraftboarder)

Step into your bindings and hop right off the top.. HAHAHA Great idea, safe though... probably not

mendo247 10-12-2009, 4:34 PM

Accident waiting to happen.

(jhuff79) · (jhuff79) **Join Date: Mar 2005** 10-12-2009, 4:41 PM

I did not think wakeboarding could get any better. This is total Awesomeness.

(lfrider92) · (lfrider92) **Join Date: Sep 2008** 10-12-2009, 5:37 PM

i first saw this and thought it was stupid. then about 30 seconds later, i realized how much fun that thing would be while chilling in the boat during lunch

(westsidarider) · (westsidarider) **Join Date: Feb 2003** 10-12-2009, 5:58 PM

oh man i could only begin to imagine the shenanagins my friends and i could get into with something like that

(westsidarider) · (westsidarider) **Join Date: Feb 2003** 10-12-2009, 5:58 PM

+2 for complete awesomeness

(nbigger) · (nbigger) **Join Date: May 2008** 10-12-2009, 6:12 PM

That is great but after jumping into the water and getting back on I would believe it would be really slick. With that said I want to make a tramp tower for my boat now LOL.

(sbt3) · (sbt3) **Join Date: Jun 2002** 10-12-2009, 7:07 PM

I was thinking about the slippery thing to as one of the drawbacks... I think it may dry fairly quickly on a sunny day when it's hot out. I jump on my regular tramp when its wet sometimes but it is definitely a little slick.

I just need to find a good deal on a 8x14 rectangle. I think that will be perfect for the pontoon. I emailed one of the tramp manufactures to see if they would provide me with a drawing so I can do some measurements. Hopefully they will get that too me.

The other thing I was thinking may work is the springfree 8x13 oval. I like this idea because mat would go all the way to the edge and there would be no chance of falling through the springs if it was slippery.

http://www.springfreetrampoline.com/sf60e

(plhorn) · (plhorn) **Join Date: Dec 2005** 10-12-2009, 8:01 PM

ugly but awesome.

(brett564) · (brett564) **Join Date: Jul 2006** 10-12-2009, 8:02 PM

One of the most original and cool ideas ever!!!

It doesn't look any more dangerous than a normal trampoline raised 4 feet off of dirt. put some of those pads that go around the edges to prevent you from falling through where the springs are, and it will be complete!

(calexan) · (calexan) **Join Date: Dec 2008** 10-12-2009, 9:24 PM

Id be more worried about getting bounced off the front into the bow/windshield.

Still looks like an awesome idea.... Would be great in a party cove or sandbar....

(ferral) · (ferral) **Join Date: Sep 2007** 10-12-2009, 9:33 PM

I almost killed myself jumping from my trampoline to my pool in the backyard. The tramp may dry fast in the sun, but when you are wet and jumping, it gets really slick. Watch out for the swim platform on the way down :-)

(dlwsrider) · (dlwsrider) **Join Date: Apr 2007** 10-12-2009, 10:42 PM

SO. FREAKIN. COOL.

(watson_134_lf)

that boat is the most awesome thing ive ever seen in my life

(sbt3) · (sbt3) **Join Date: Jun 2002** 10-13-2009, 6:31 AM

We plan to put a safety net in the front to prevent people from landing on the deck of the pontoon and it should be big enough to be flush with the sides and over the back to the only danger would be out the front which we'll protect.

I got the drawing from the tramp mfg last night so now I just have to make some measurements to see if it will fit without to many mods.

(kbob) · (kbob) **Join Date: Aug 2009** 10-13-2009, 7:14 AM

I was talking to the guys at Houston Mastercraft when the 300 came to lake conroe...and he mentioned that someone had custom made a trampoline on their tower...which also doubles as a full length bimini that runs the entire length of the boat...hands down the most creative southern engineering i've seen haha!

(nbigger) · (nbigger) **Join Date: May 2008** 10-13-2009, 8:00 AM

The nitro circus needs that boat.

(westsidarider) · (westsidarider) **Join Date: Feb 2003** 10-13-2009, 9:02 AM

^^^^who can do the most backflips while the boat is at full speed......

(andrewjet) · (andrewjet) **Join Date: Jan 2003** 10-13-2009, 11:13 AM

you have insurance right? Jet

(dirwoody) · (dirwoody) **Join Date: Apr 2003** 10-13-2009, 12:54 PM

Sweet jesus - that is the sweetest bimini ever, but with the amount of adult beverages consumed on my boat, I'd be a bit scared. Although I'd love sitting in the front watching the girls jump......

(wakemikey) · (wakemikey) **Join Date: Mar 2008** 10-19-2009, 1:14 PM

I am in a river (mississippi in MN) and the depth can change very quickly from 10-14' to only a few feet if you are floating and not keeping to a channel (it is dredged in other areas but not everywhere).

I have been in deep water, idled the boat a few hundered feet. Went to dive in and at last second decided to shallow dive. Hands in front of me hit rocks. Not fun to imagine. But not to scare you away from the idea just check the depth and ask people not to dive (without testing).

(wakeboardsam) · (wakeboardsam) **Join Date: Jun 2008** 10-19-2009, 2:25 PM

As the center of gravity gets higher, what stops the boat from flipping over? I would imagine if you let more than a couple people up there it could get a little scary.

F=MA

(davenk) · (davenk) **Join Date: Feb 2008** 10-19-2009, 5:03 PM

I saw this boat in person on the water, looks as cool in person but I can't do it.

(htownrook) · (htownrook) **Join Date: Oct 2009** 10-20-2009, 3:40 PM

New to the forum - Bill told me about this thread so i thought i'd say hello

We built this tower almost 4 years ago and it is still holding strong. the original goal was bimini and storage (get the girls out of the way). the trampoline was added for comfort mostly since a hard deck would be miserable on a bumpy ride. it is the most comfortable ride on any boat i've ridden - especially on the river at times of high traffic.
though treacherous for jumping off, we have managed to stay out of trouble and injury free
We can pull from the front or back, so it adds seating to the boat in any mode.
Besides the shade, it does have other perks. Bill didn't mention that we installed misters around the entire frame - it gets hot down here. That, combined with the enjoyment of watching bikinis bounce, make it a nice place to be in the coves/beaches.

(99_slaunch) · (99_slaunch) **Join Date: Oct 2005** 10-20-2009, 4:40 PM

I see that boat at the SB river all the time. If I'm not mistaken there is a guy on that boat that is pretty sick on an air chair.

(srock) · (srock) **Join Date: Mar 2002** 10-21-2009, 7:59 AM

I like the idea of a large bimini and a comfortable area to rest to boot.

(srock) · (srock) **Join Date: Mar 2002** 10-21-2009, 8:00 AM

Ohh, watch out! Correct Craft probably already owns the patent!

(loudontn) · (loudontn) **Join Date: Feb 2005** 10-21-2009, 8:13 AM

Wait...what?! You drive with people up there?! I mean, I'm only a first year law student but....that seems a little dangerous.

What happens when you hit a big roller with people up there and the trampoline compresses and launches your occupants?

(rallyart) · (rallyart) **Join Date: Nov 2006** 10-21-2009, 9:21 AM

Then you hope the video is on...

(axismatt) · (axismatt) **Join Date: Sep 2009** 10-21-2009, 11:01 AM

Ha that is insane! 205 with "The Manshow" edition tower!!

(indemand12) · (indemand12) **Join Date: Mar 2003** 10-21-2009, 4:26 PM

Oh s#!? some of you guys are a bunch of nancy boys! Who cares if it is dangerous? Last time I check wakeboarding or most of the things that go along with it are dangerous, isn't that why most of us like it so much? That said congrats on a great idea!!

(loudontn) · (loudontn) **Join Date: Feb 2005** 10-21-2009, 6:19 PM

Matthew Bishop, product expert!

(fhu667) · (fhu667) **Join Date: Oct 2004** 10-21-2009, 6:36 PM

I definitely felt like I had to hang on with both hands when I was up there, but it sure was a blast.

(axismatt) · (axismatt) **Join Date: Sep 2009** 10-22-2009, 5:03 AM

Cody Farmer, Law student!

(loudontn) · (loudontn) **Join Date: Feb 2005** 10-22-2009, 7:44 AM

I want a pull behind that pretty boat in your profile

(axismatt) · (axismatt) **Join Date: Sep 2009** 10-22-2009, 8:26 AM

Be at the plant at 4!

(loudontn) · (loudontn) **Join Date: Feb 2005** 10-22-2009, 9:30 AM

Workin till 4:30 then I have class or I'd love to. In Loudon? You all going out tomorrow? I'll be out in Lenoir City most of the day and may atleast tag along if you're going.