09/28/2026
Five years ago today, I was frustrated that our fixer-upper pontoon boat canvas pooled water every time it rained (which is every day in Florida during the Summer). I bought every product that claimed to keep the canvas tight and looking like a three-ring circus tent. Nothing worked; water always seemed to find a place to pool.
Out of desperation, I told my wife I was going to make something that would work. The challenge was on! Into my shop I went, and I looked around at what I had lying around. I hand-bent some screw rod and added a few nuts and washers spaced apart, and slid some PVC pipe over it... a dome! That would keep the water and debris from pooling on my canvas. I attached it to some channel and slid it onto my pontoon rails. It was a great idea, but the domes would topple over with just a gentle breeze against the canvas. I had to figure out how to tie everything together. Screw rod turned into 3/4" Solid Aluminum rod bent to the perfect angle, and I added five-way connectors with supporting legs. That formed more of a cage that also protected the furniture and supported the canvas over it. It was strong enough to withstand the wind and torrential rain, and even leaves couldn't find a place to gather. I put it to the test. I threw 5-gallon buckets of water at the canvas, and I even threw the bucket a few times. It worked as I had envisioned.
My wife smiled and said she knew I would figure it out. I figured I wasn't the only one who suffered this canvas dilemma, so I posted my "solution" on Facebook. Within days, orders started coming in from around the country. Pontoon Boat Solutions was born, and it was growing fast. Pontoon boats of different lengths and furniture heights weren't an issue; they were just reasons to expand our product line.
When winter snowfall proved to be too much for the PVC 4- and 5-way connectors, I designed the ULTIMATE Canvas Solution with solid ¾" Aluminum 4 and 5-Way connectors, and we just kept expanding and growing.
Many products were designed around my desire or need for things to be orderly, simple, and safe; others were designed just "because." I liked the idea of simplifying things. My motto was to keep it simple and easy to use, with no nuts, bolts, or holes to drill into the boat. On and off in minutes without tools.
I'm always up for a challenge, and anything we can do for our veterans is a heartfelt honor. Whatever they need or want, if I can find a way, they will have a "solution." Over the last 5 years, we've made some pretty wild "Solutions" for our servicemen and women. A challenge accepted; our solutions delivered.
God has given me the inspiration to come up with the "solutions", but they would probably just remain ideas without the support of my wife and daughter. I've been so blessed to have an amazing, supportive wife and daughter team who have probably questioned my sanity many times over the last five years, but they are my strength, pride, and inspiration as I come up with products that help people enjoy life on the water and off.
Today, we celebrate 5 YEARS and over 150 patent-pending products exclusively for pontoon boats, plus the countless amazing customers worldwide who love and support us. Thank you! We are here for you and appreciate each and everyone of you!!! God bless and stay safe.
You can find us at www.PontoonBoatSolutions.com and on Amazon, eBay, Etsy, Shop.app, Shopify, Pinterest, LinkedIn, Reddit, Everest.com, Facebook Marketplace, and Google Marketplace!
