Pair Of Pontoon Tables

[roughsawn]

Another project is done. My brother, and his neighbor both wanted upgrades from the cheap plastic tables that come with a pontoon boat. Here are a few pics from them coming out of one big, old slab of red oak. No glue joints! Pics of drilling the cupholder holes, also. The oval table originally had 2 cupholders. Owner wanted 2 more, so now he has 4.

I don't have finished pictures yet, but I'll take some and post later. PS, the round table has crazy, beautiful figure all over. Definitely furniture worthy. 

[fcschoenthal]

Are these from the same slab group that you made the coffee table from?

[roughsawn]

Yes. He has brought 7 slabs over, so far. I think he has 8 or 10 more.

[Mark J]

How are they finished?

[roughsawn]

3 coats of my toner/shellac, 2 coats poly, 5 coats Total Boat Halcyon.

[fcschoenthal]

I've used Halcyon before, (love the application & finish) but never over poly. I'm assuming you're using a water-based poly.

[roughsawn]

You know what they say about assuming...

Oil based poly. Every day in the shop is an experiment. I'm forever trying new techniques, methods, finishes, colors, sizes, milling shortcuts, jointery, etc. 

If something doesn't work, it goes on the burn pile, and I start over. If it works, I'm a hero...lol

[fcschoenthal]

If you're using oil based, I'm surprised that you aren't using TotalBoat's Gleem or Lust, both marine spar varnishes. Maybe due to the ambering. I've heard good things about General Finishes Exterior 450. It's a water-based, clear urethane/acrylic blend. All supposedly are great to work with, non-yellowing and UV resistant.

[Tom King]

You could probably make a living making them here.  Probably the largest population of pontoon boats anywhere here.

[gee-dub]

On 3/4/2025 at 5:17 PM, roughsawn said:

You know what they say about assuming...

Oil based poly. Every day in the shop is an experiment. I'm forever trying new techniques, methods, finishes, colors, sizes, milling shortcuts, jointery, etc. 

If something doesn't work, it goes on the burn pile, and I start over. If it works, I'm a hero...lol

So true. .  Those tables are going to be a class-act upgrade.  I like pontoon boats for scuba; plenty of deck space, sidewalls for tie-downs, and tables for fresh cut fruit when you come up.  Nothing better than fresh cut watermelon after a dive.

This was obviously a few years ago . . . I have hair.

[curlyoak]

Living in a warm and humid climate, an important consideration is the climate at the moment. All summer it is too hot for varnish, especially oil. I bring pieces to be varnished in the house. Finding the right slot of time to bring it in is also an issue.

Now that I have some excellent weather for varnish, I have no need.

[roughsawn]

Never thought of that, curly. You have great winters, where we freeze our a***s off...and can't go outside half the time.

But, we can apply varnish during the summer...lol

[roughsawn]

Got them finished. Ready for delivery.

 

[wtnhighlander]

Those are really nice!

[Coop]

Those came out great! 

[pkinneb]

Nice!!

 

[Mark J]

Very sharp.  Your "clients" should be pleased.  

[Chestnut]

Nice!

[fcschoenthal]

Your finish really does look nice on those.

[Enzo Caleb]

Love how you transformed that old red oak slab into such unique pontoon tables. The added cupholders are a smart touch, and I can already imagine how stunning that figured round table must look finished.

[curlyoak]

On 3/9/2025 at 12:02 PM, gee-dub said:

Nothing better than fresh cut watermelon after a dive.

I love watermelon on a boat. Diving or fishing. But right now shipped in from Southern California is the honey dew melons. And the brand makes a difference. King of the West. Turlock Farms. More than 100 years old. They ship them on the green side but in a week they are perfect. To keep the flow going I have 2 melons. One will be ready tomorrow and the other in a week. When Im down to one melon I buy another. Sweet and juicy down to the rind!