Floats and Frames
Modular Pontoon Solutions
cutlass-marine-pontoon-floats-array.jpgEngineered and manufactured by Floats and Frames in Poole, Dorset, our Cutlass Marine pontoon floats form the foundation of every modular pontoon, deck and floating-home base we build. Each float is a sealed buoyancy tank, rotationally moulded from high-grade linear polyethylene for corrosion-proof durability, impact resistance and a long service life in fresh and tidal water.
Unlike ferrous or composite hulls that oxidise, delaminate or demand constant maintenance, polyethylene float tanks stay chemically stable and maintenance-free for decades. The rotomoulding process produces a seamless, stress-free shell with consistent wall thickness and a distinctive hard-chine geometry that improves lateral stability and resists vertical compression.
Floats can be used singly, paired, or in arrays of almost any size to create custom buoyancy foundations for floating homes, house boats, garden-room pontoons, marinas, work platforms, jetties and water-based event structures. They are sold individually for DIY and trade builders, paired with companion aluminium framing to form modular pontoon bases, or as part of complete floating-home kits.
Every float has a sealed internal cavity with a removable access cap, allowing optional water ballasting to fine-tune trim or controlled flooding for retrofitting beneath existing structures. Fully recyclable and repairable, Cutlass Marine floats are a clean, modern replacement for older concrete and expanded-polystyrene pontoons now being phased out over microplastic and environmental concerns.
cutlass-marine-400-pontoon-float.jpgThe original Cutlass Marine buoyancy cell: compact, durable and easily handled by two people. Ideal for decks, docks, jetties, end-of-garden moorings and marina walkways, and for standard-load pontoon or base platforms where the larger 800_F is not required.
cutlass-marine-800f-buoyancy-float-tank.jpgThe heavy-duty member of the range, designed for higher loads, deeper draft and greater hydrostatic stiffness. Foam-lined as standard, with no hollow-only variant, for floating homes, flood-resilient retrofits, industrial rafts and marina infrastructure.
| Specification | Cutlass Marine 400 | Cutlass Marine 800_F |
|---|---|---|
| Footprint | 2444 × 904 mm | 2444 × 904 mm |
| Height | 600 mm | 800 mm |
| Weight | 60 kg | approx 100 kg |
| Balanced load | 400 kg | 800 kg |
| Approx draft | approx 300 mm | approx 500 mm |
| Freeboard | approx 300 mm | approx 300 mm |
| Wall | 6 mm PE-HD (foam-line optional) | 12 mm HDPE shell, closed-cell foam core |
| Best for | decks, docks, jetties, lighter builds | houseboats, flood-resilient, high-load bases |
Pick the 800_F when you need more buoyancy per footprint, greater stiffness at depth, fewer modules, or higher reserve capacity for heavier superstructures and flood-resilient designs. Use the 400 for lighter houseboat pontoon hulls, decks, docks, jetties and cost-sensitive walkway arrays. Not sure? Send us your structure's size and weight and we will size the float count and formation for you.
Cutlass Marine floats are rotationally moulded from UV-stable linear polyethylene (PE-HD). The standard Cutlass 400 has a 6 mm wall, while the Cutlass 800_F adds a solid closed-cell PE foam inner skin for extreme durability and impact resistance. The seamless, stress-free moulding gives consistent wall thickness and a hard-chine geometry that improves stability and resists vertical compression.
Yes. Every Cutlass Marine float has a sealed internal cavity with a removable access cap. You can add water ballast to fine-tune trim and level a pontoon, or controlled-flood units when retrofitting a base beneath an existing structure. Drained and capped, the cavity delivers the float's full rated buoyancy.
Both share the same 2444 × 904 mm footprint. The Cutlass 400 is 600 mm tall, weighs 60 kg and supports a 400 kg balanced load; the Cutlass 800_F is 800 mm tall, weighs about 100 kg, is foam-lined as standard and supports an 800 kg balanced load. Choose the 800_F for heavier or multi-storey houseboats and fewer modules; the 400 for lighter decks, docks, jetties and cost-sensitive builds.
A Cutlass 400 supports 400 kg of balanced load and a Cutlass 800_F supports 800 kg, each at roughly 300 mm freeboard. The total buoyancy available for a houseboat is the sum across all floats, less the pontoon's own weight. Our team can size the float count and formation to your structure's mass and intended freeboard.
The closed-cell PE foam core in the Cutlass 800_F stiffens the wall, reduces deflection under point loads, and keeps the unit buoyant even if the outer shell is ever punctured. It suits deeper-immersion, higher-load and flood-resilient applications where a hollow shell alone would flex.
Yes. Cutlass Marine floats are moulded from recyclable polyethylene, are repairable rather than disposable, and are engineered for a service life of up to 60 years. They are a clean replacement for ageing concrete and expanded-polystyrene pontoons, which are increasingly restricted due to microplastic and environmental concerns.
Yes. Cutlass Marine 400 and 800_F floats are available for sale individually, by the pallet, or paired with aluminium framing as a complete kit. Use the Buy Pontoon Floats Online option, or request a quote for larger, trade or bespoke orders.
