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The True DIY kit is just the 4 pontoons and brackets. You will provide everything else. We’ll send you a list of all the materials you’ll need to build your deck, plus:
- 4 welded aluminum pontoons (each 5’ long)
- Hardware for bolting the pontoons to the deck frame
- Optional Motor Mount (choose True DIY w/ Motor Mount)
If you’re confident in your woodworking skills, but not so sure about your carpeting and finish-work technique, you can opt to have us send you pre-cut marine grade carpet and a 6-piece kick-rail and trim package by choosing the Build Your Own Boat Kit Plus option. That will include:
- 4 welded aluminum pontoons
- Hardware for bolting pontoons to the deck frame
- A list of materials you'll need to build your deck and assembly instructions (Download them below so you can have your deck ready when the pontoons arrive)
- Pre-cut, marine-grade carpet to cover the deck
- Marine-grade glue and trowel for spreading
- Motor Mount
- 6-piece 6” kick-rail with edge trim package
The DIY Mini Pontoon Boat Kits ship in boxes via Fed Ex Ground. It's a Boat in a Box -- well, BoxES! Each pontoon ships in its own box and weighs 34 lbs.
The shipping rate will be calculated at checkout.
The pontoons associated with the "Do-it-yourself" boat kits carry a 5 year warranty. We have made recommendations regarding the deck size, materials and construction. Any modification to these recommendations will nullify the warranty.
Pond King must receive payment in full for the mini pontoon boats before shipping or delivery. Generally, you can make a full payment when you place your order online. If, however, you would like to make a 50% deposit to get your boat into our production lineup and pay the balance with a check or ACH, please call us to make those arrangements.
You’ll receive complete assembly instructions for building the deck of your boat, including a materials list. We estimate it’ll take about 4 hours to complete the deck once you’ve obtained all your materials. If you’d like to get started building your deck so it’s ready when your pontoons arrive, download the instructions from this list:
FAQ
All of Pond King’s mini pontoon boats are intended for 2 people fishing relatively small bodies of water. So, the other factors you should consider are your budget and ability to do some assembly. If you are very budget focused, and pretty handy, the DIY Boat Kit would be a good option. However, if price is important but you aren’t very good at building things, the Patriot could be right for you. If you want a fully-assembled boat you can just put out on your backyard pond, choose the Champ if you want to use a trolling motor to get around.
All of Pond King's finished pontoon boats are made to order, right here at our facility in Gainesville. Once we receive your order, we'll get started building your boat but production time will depend on when you place your order. (If you are ordering between March and June, call for an estimated delivery time.) A typical lead time is around 4-6 weeks for completion, depending on the season. The DIY boat kits are usually able to be turned around a little quicker -- around 2-3 weeks -- but again, it all depends on the season!
It is very important that you examine your shipment BEFORE accepting it. Here’s how to properly receive a shipment:
- Inspect all boxes/pallets and make sure you have all the pieces to your order.
- Check the bill of lading from the delivery company to make sure you have all your boxes/pallets.
- Report any missing boxes/pallets to the driver and NOTE ON THE BILL OF LADING. Get it in writing!
- Next, inspect all the boxes/pallets for anything that looks like damage. If there is a punctured or smashed box/pallet, open it, and make sure that there is no damage.
- In the event of damage, you must report it to the driver and NOTE ON THE BILL OF LADING. If you do not note the damage on the bill of lading, you are confirming that you received the goods in perfect condition, and you release both Pond King and the shipping company of any liability on the shipment. While we will do what we can to help you out, ultimately Pond King is not responsible for any damage caused during shipping by a third party.
The DIY boat kit and the Patriot have 4 pontoons because we wanted to be able to ship these boats via common carrier. So, instead of one long pontoon on each side of the boat platform, we made two shorter pontoons. Functionally, on the water, they provide exactly the same stability and buoyancy as a single pontoon would, it is just that the smaller pontoons make it possible to ship the boats - which can be less expensive than delivery.
The main difference between Pond King’s mini and small pontoon boats isn't just their capacity (the mini boats are 1 or 2 person) but also the size body of water for which they are appropriate. The Pond King mini pontoon boats are intended for smaller bodies of water, specifically ponds or limited access fishing on lakes, whereas the small pontoon boats can handle larger bodies of water.
If you choose the DIY pontoon boat kit, because we are only providing parts of a boat, and not a completed one, the boat kits do not have a HIN (Hull Identification Number), and therefore, no title. The Patriot and Champ are completed boats and will come with an MSO (Manufacturer's Statement of Origin) and a HIN (Hull Identification Number).
In Texas, if you are only using your boat on your private property, you don’t need to register it. However, if you’ll be transporting your boat to public waters, registration is required. If you’re not a Texas resident, we recommend checking with your state to find out the laws and requirements.
No. You will have to purchase material to build the frame and deck of your choosing for your mini pontoon boat.
The DIY pontoon boat kits are designed to have a frame built out of 2x4s and a deck made of a sheet of plywood. If you have the skills and resources to build it out of other materials, you're more than welcome to do so!
When built to our recommendations, the size of the deck on the DIY pontoon boat is 4'x8' and accommodates two people.
We have only tested the DIY pontoon boat kit for the size of deck we recommend -- 4' x 8'.
We don't offer an aluminum frame and deck option for the DIY. To get that, you'd need to purchase the Pond King Patriot.
No. The DIY pontoon boat is rated for electric trolling motors only. We recommend either a 45 lb. thrust or 55 lb. thrust.
Once you've completed your pontoon boat kit, you'll need to check with your state to see who you need to contact and what's required. In most states, it's your parks and wildlife department. They'll need to do an inspection and provide you with a HIN (Hull Identification Number), and then you'll need to follow their rules and regulations regarding titling, taxes, and registration.
No. You'll need to purchase all parts of the seats you'll want to add to the boat.
Each pontoon is 5' long and 14" in diameter, and weighs 34 lbs.
We only offer a DIY pontoon boat kit in one size. The larger boats are all welded together, so we don't sell the parts individually.
We’re happy to answer any questions you may have. Let us help you determine if the Mini Pontoon Float System is right for you.
★★★★★
Brett
All Reviews
Very pleased with this boat. All parts were in the shipment and all fit as designed by the directions. I live on a 6-acre pond with 14 other neighbors. This is a perfect boat for a pond because you can't count how many times I dumped the water out of my other boats every time it rains. Thanks for the fast shipping, and a very well-designed boat.
Affordable Pontoon Solutions for DIY Builds
We’ve developed a modular pontoon float system to help you create your own custom floating setup without breaking the bank. Each option is designed to provide the same core flotation foundation—the difference comes down to how many components you want us to supply versus what you prefer to source yourself.
Because pontoons aren’t something you can easily pick up at a local hardware store, we start by providing the most essential piece: the flotation. From there, you can choose a basic package with just the pontoons, or upgrade to include additional components like a motor mount, pre-cut marine-grade carpet, and kick-rail with trim to simplify your build.
With either option, you’ll complete your project by sourcing standard materials locally for your frame and decking. The result is a compact, customizable floating platform designed to fit your needs—ideal for small-scale recreation and time on the water.
Thoughtful, DIY-Friendly Design
Pond King developed this compact pontoon float system with the same attention to quality found in our larger offerings, but optimized for easy handling, transport, and at-home assembly. By shipping core components instead of a fully assembled unit, we help reduce freight costs and make on-the-water projects more accessible.
This system is best suited for lightweight, small-scale builds. Many customers choose to pair their finished setup with an electric trolling motor—typically in the 45 lb thrust range with a 36" shaft—depending on their final configuration.
If your project requires a larger platform, increased capacity, or an all-aluminum, ready-to-use solution, explore our lineup of fully assembled small pontoon boats designed for bigger water and more demanding conditions.
Because of their size, these boats are only rated for an electric trolling motor - a 45-pound thrust with a 36-inch shaft would be just fine.
If you are looking for a boat that can handle a larger body of water where there may be waves or accommodate more than 2 people or is built completely of aluminum, check out our line of small pontoon boats.
