Building a 44ft Quad-Tune Pontoon: Mounting Twin 250HP Engines

In this episode of B is for Build, the team takes on the Herculean task of mounting twin 250 horsepower Mercury Verado engines on a massive 44-foot quad-tune pontoon yacht. Yes, you heard that right - a pontoon boat with not one, but two powerful engines, totaling a whopping 500 horsepower. This is not your average leisurely cruise on the lake; this is a bold move that pushes the boundaries of traditional pontoon boat configurations. Will it work? Well, that's the million-dollar question, and the team is ready to find out.

The process begins with meticulous welding of the boat, followed by the construction of a hot tub enclosure and custom decking. Water testing is crucial to ensure the boat's integrity, with special attention given to making sure every pontoon section is airtight. Structural supports are added to facilitate moving the boat around the shop and eventually onto a shipping truck. The engines, purchased used, present a new challenge for the team, as they dive into the world of boat engine mechanics with little prior experience.

With a mix of CAD designs and good old-fashioned trial and error, the team sets out to mount the engines in a unique outboard-inboard configuration. The redesign of the engine mounts using quarter-inch aluminum and additional supports showcases their commitment to getting it right. As the first engine is successfully mounted, the team faces unexpected hurdles and adjusts their approach on the fly. Stay tuned as B is for Build navigates uncharted waters in their quest to bring this unconventional pontoon yacht to life.