Floats and Frames
Modular Pontoon Solutions
cutlass-marine-pontoon-floats-buoyancy-tanks.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.
Connected by bespoke framing modules, Cutlass Marine float units combine into arrays of almost any size — 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 deeper 600F is not required.
cutlass-marine-400f-foam-lined-pontoon-float.jpgThe Cutlass 400 with a factory foam lining: a 16 mm closed-cell PE foam inner skin bonded inside the same 600 mm shell. Identical footprint and rating with added stiffness and reduced deflection — our standard recommendation beneath habitable builds.
cutlass-marine-600f-buoyancy-float-tank.jpgThe deep member of the range: an 800 mm-tall hull for higher loads, deeper freeboard reserve and greater hydrostatic stiffness. Foam-lined as standard, for floating homes, flood-resilient retrofits, industrial rafts and high-load marina infrastructure.
| Specification | Cutlass Marine 400 | Cutlass Marine 400F | Cutlass Marine 600F |
|---|---|---|---|
| Footprint | 2444 × 904 mm | 2444 × 904 mm | 2444 × 904 mm |
| Height | 600 mm | 600 mm | 800 mm |
| Weight | 60 kg | 70 kg | approx 100 kg |
| Balanced load | 400 kg | 400 kg | 600 kg |
| Foam lining | — | 16 mm integral PE foam skin | 16 mm integral PE foam skin |
| Wall | 6 mm PE-HD | 6 mm PE-HD + foam skin | 6 mm PE-HD + foam skin |
| Best for | decks, docks, jetties, standard builds | beaching, hardstanding builds | heavy or multi-storey builds, deeper freeboard reserve |
Start with the load. Up to 400 kg per float, the Cutlass 400 covers decks, docks, jetties, marina infrastructure and standard houseboats. The foam-lined 400F is our recommendation for beaching vessels and more aggressive environments. Step up to the 600F when you need more buoyancy per float unit — the highest reserve for the heaviest superstructures and flood-resilient designs. 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). All three floats share a 6 mm wall; the foam-lined 400F and 600F add a 16 mm closed-cell PE foam inner skin for extra stiffness, 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.
All three 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 400F is the same float with a 16 mm closed-cell foam inner skin (70 kg), keeping the 400 kg rating with added stiffness and reduced deflection. The 600F is 800 mm tall, weighs about 100 kg, is foam-lined as standard and supports a 600 kg balanced load. Choose the 600F for heavier or multi-storey houseboats and fewer modules; the 400 or 400F for decks, docks, jetties and habitable builds.
A Cutlass 400 or 400F supports 400 kg of balanced load and a Cutlass 600F supports 600 kg. 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 16 mm closed-cell PE foam inner skin in the 400F and 600F stiffens the wall and reduces deflection under point loads. It suits beaching and hardstanding use, deeper immersion, higher loads 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, 400F and 600F floats are available for sale individually, by the pallet, or paired with aluminium framing as a complete kit. Request a quote and we will turn individual, pallet, trade and bespoke orders around quickly.
