Pontoon Float or Boat Draft Calculation

This calculator assumes that a pontoon float or boat consists of two or more pontoons tied
together by some form of structure, which is decked over to form a platform for people and gear.
Assumptions:
D
pontoon
27in := Diameter of the pontoon

pontoon
54.07
lbf
ft
:= Unit weight of the pontoon
L
pontoon
48ft := Length of the pontoon
DL
struct
2747lbf := Weight of platform, hardware, etc.
N
pontoon
2 := Total number of pontoons
Unit Weight of water
Fresh: 62.4
Salt: 64

water
62.4
lbf
ft
3
:=
Calculations:
DL
vessel

pontoon
L
pontoon
N
pontoon
DL
struct
+ :=
DL
vessel
7937.72lbf = Total weight of the pontoon boat (unloaded)
V
pontoon

D
pontoon
2
|

\
|
|
.
2
N
pontoon
L
pontoon
:=
Calculate the total volume of the pontoons
Calculate the Recommended Maximum Gross Load
per: "Construction Standards for Small Vessels (2010)"
TP 1332 E - Section 4
GL
vessel
V
pontoon

water

( )
DL
vessel

2
:=
GL
vessel
7940.29lbf = Recommended Maximum Gross Load - Passengers & Gear
Volume of water
displaced by just the
pontoon boat weight
DL
Vol
DL
vessel

water
:=
DL
Vol
127.21ft
3
=
Volume of water
displaced by pontoon
boat + peaple + gear
GL
Vol
DL
vessel
GL
vessel
+

water
:= GL
Vol
254.46ft
3
=
End area of submerged
pontoon, pontoon boat
weight
DL
Area
DL
Vol
N
pontoon
L
pontoon

:= DL
Area
1.33ft
2
=
End area of submerged
pontoon, pontoon boat
weight + peaple + gear
GL
Area
GL
Vol
N
pontoon
L
pontoon

:=
GL
Area
2.65ft
2
=
In this next section, we need to use calculated values to pick values from a table.
Table is attached at the end of this worksheet.
inTable
DL
DL
Area
D
pontoon
2
:=
inTable
LL
GL
Area
D
pontoon
2
:=
inTable
DL
0.26 = Find this number in the table, under the column area/D
2
. Pick
the value of d/D from the column to the left of your value, and
enter it below.
Find this number in the table, under the column area/D
2
. Pick
the value of d/D from the column to the left of your value, and
enter it below.
inTable
LL
0.52 =
outTable
DL
0.37 := This is the number you picked off the table, in the d/D column
and from the same row as the value for inTable
DL

This is the number you picked off the table, in the d/D column
and from the same row as the value for inTable
LL

outTable
LL
0.63 :=
d
DL
outTable
DL
D
pontoon
:= Multiply the value found above by the pontoon diameter to
find the submerged depth or draft of the pontoon boat under
just it's own weight.
d
LL
outTable
LL
D
pontoon
:=
Multiply the value found above by the pontoon diameter to
find the submerged depth or draft of the pontoon boat under
just it's own weight.
Results:
d
DL
9.99in = Submerged depth or draft of the pontoon boat under just it's own weight.
d
LL
17.01 in = Submerged depth or draft of the pontoon boat with passengers and gear.