Most manufacturers offer a variety of different color combinations for customers to choose from when it comes to designing the perfect pontoon. The colors usually come with fancy names like “Blanched Almond” and “Onyx,” which basically mean brown and black, but sound much better when you add a slightly magniloquent twist.
But let’s say you want something outside the acceptable color range of blue, black, red or tan. Paint options are limited for those who want their boat to be a little different. This is the problem Jim and Sue Rampton came upon when they purchased their brand new JC Manufacturing TriToon. They wanted something special. Even with all the color options JC offers, the couple couldn’t find anything that, well, floated their boat.
But let’s not get ahead of ourselves. To really tell this story, we have to go back to the beginning.
The Ramptons own an RV dealership called Simi Valley RV & Offroad near Los Angeles, Calif. The company specializes in new and used travel trailers, fifth wheels, Ranger RZRs and Sportsman ATVs.
“We do the desert in winter with the RVs and ATVs,” says Jim. “We like to do the boating thing in the summer.”
Previously, the couple had taken in a custom Howard Boat on trade at their dealership and enjoyed the 80mph speeds the boat could hit. They had also owned Sea-Doos over the years, but these two crafts were the extent of their boating experience.
Rediscovering The Pontoon
The pontoon bug bit when Jim’s uncle asked him to pick up a part at a local dealership for a simple repair on his boat.
“I went into the boat dealer to buy a switch for my uncle’s boat,” says Jim. “As I walked by the pontoons, I thought to myself, ‘Wow, these things look cool.’ They used to not be cool and so before I couldn’t imagine ever owning one.”
One thing turned into another and before he left that day, Jim found himself signing on the dotted line and leaving as the owner of a brand new JC TriToon pontoon.
“I felt like a typical customer at my dealership,” laughs Jim. “I went in for a part and left with a boat.”
Exploring Options
When deciding to go with a JC pontoon, the Ramptons took a number of things into consideration. They looked at other brands the marine dealership carried and decided they wanted something with cool styling that was also sporty. These factors helped rule out everything besides the JC.
“We really loved the curved railings that JC Manufacturing offers,” says Jim. “They’re different and really complete the look. Most of the other manufacturers use straight rails, which are boring.”
By the time the boat was dropped off, the couple had a plan in motion to make it a one-of-a-kind, piece of art.
“I won’t be driving an old-man pontoon around,” says Jim. “I decided to have it custom painted to create some visual appeal when it’s on the water.”
Jim and Sue knew Rick Primeau, who owns Primo Customs—a custom airbrushing shop—was the right man for the job.
“Rick had painted some dune buggies for a friend so I was familiar with his work,” says Jim. “He’s a crazy-talented artist and he’s the only person I even considered.”
The Artist
California-native Primeau has been airbrushing since he started with t-shirts at 14 years old. Primeau has been featured on TV shows such as Rides and Overhaulin'. The only criteria he has for a job is that it has to stay still long enough for him to get it done.
“Well I chose to be a painter for a living, which means I may be a little mentally unstable,” laughs Primeau. “I’ve just always had a passion for making things different and not giving customers typical-looking paint jobs.”
Primeau is a paint restoration specialist when it comes to anything metal, especially motorcycles and classic vehicles. He has painted speed boats before, but never a pontoon. In fact, Jim wasn’t the only one who had to rediscover the modern-day pontoon.
“When he said he had a pontoon, I was thinking something like a floating dock and I didn’t think there would be enough room on the sides to paint,” recalls Primeau. “When he pulled up, I was like, ‘I thought you said a pontoon, isn’t this a houseboat?’ Man, these boats have changed.”
Developing The Theme
Jim went back and forth on a few different ideas before settling on the patriotic theme.
“I almost went with lightning, but then I thought that’s something that comes and goes,” says Jim. “I decided to go patriotic because that’s always popular and everyone likes it.”
Once Jim had picked the theme, Primeau started researching and putting ideas together.
“We just bounced ideas back and forth until we came up with exactly what Jim wanted,” says Primeau.
When the rough draft was put together, Primeau got to work. He pulled off the JC logos and used silicon to fill in the holes. Since the railings and other permanent features of the boat are incorporated into the design, he couldn’t pop off the panels and bring them inside. He had to paint the entire pontoon in the side yard of his shop. Due to the size of the boat compared to his work area, he couldn’t back up more than two feet so he was never able to stand back and take the whole thing in until it was completely finished and leaving the shop. The project took a solid 14 days worth of time, spread out over three months as the weather didn’t always cooperate and it caused numerous delays.
When the project wrapped up, it was definitely worth the wait. What had arrived at Primo Customs a regular—albeit very nice-looking pontoon—left a beautifully painted masterpiece. Primeau incorporated amazing details not visible to the naked eye. For example, on the Mount Rushmore portion of the boat, shale rock from the South Dakota landmark was crushed and mixed in with the clear topcoat.
The paint job isn’t the only part of the boat which encompasses an Americana feel. Jim had a custom bimini top made to resemble the American flag. He also had the boat wired for underwater LED blue lights and the top of the boat has alternating white and red lights running down the sides. He had a box built and covered it with Line-X to hold a slide-out barbecue grill and added more speakers throughout the boat, which is fitting because grilling food to loud music is a favorite American pastime.
“I enjoyed my fast 80 mph boat, but right now I love the pontoon thing,” says Jim. “I love the smooth ride and party atmosphere it has. I have friends that have extremely fast boats so I’m okay with a boat that tops out at 40.”
Ready For Use
Now the boat is done, it’s been officially launched on Lake Havasu near Havasu City, Ariz. Jim and Sue plan to leave the boat full-time on the lake during the summer months so if you are in the area, there’s a good chance you’ll see this beauty floating by, full of people enjoying an evening cruise.
To Find Rick
Rick Primeau at Primo Customs will gladly take on additional pontoon projects. You can check out his website at www.primocustoms.com.
