pontoon boats

BTDT2 · May 10, 2010

Wow.... at two pages of typing a reply to some of the mind numbing replies on this thread, I realized most of the responders have never owned, let alone driven, a pontoon boat.

Bottom line- Pontoon boats are one of the most stable and smooth riding boats available, but what do I know, I have less then 20 years operating pontoons, not to mention I own green and orange tractors.

PILOON · May 11, 2010

If you are not a waterfront property, check out launching fees.
Around here (Quebec) many lakes ban motor boats and those that allow them have increasingly stiff fees.
We also need 'drivers permits' that require taking a training program.
That may not apply where you are, but worth checking into.

MikeD74T · May 11, 2010

Soundguy said:
Yikes.. I think the miss's ain't gonna be gettin a boat!

soundguy

I think the Soundman ain't gonna be gettin ..............:laughing: MikeD74T

Bird · May 11, 2010

PILOON said:
If you are not a waterfront property, check out launching fees.
Around here (Quebec) many lakes ban motor boats and those that allow them have increasingly stiff fees.
We also need 'drivers permits' that require taking a training program.
That may not apply where you are, but worth checking into.

Good point. In my younger days, the launching ramps were nearly all free, but now the ramps on the nearest lake are $6 and $10 (or about $50 for an annual permit), depending on which city is managing those for the Corp of Engineers. And the ramps on the Lake I like best are in a state park, so entry is $5 per person in the vehicle unless you buy a $75 annual permit.

Soundguy · May 11, 2010

we have 3 launces within an hour of my place.. one within 15m. I'll have to run over and check them out and see about a boat rental one day just to get a feel for it.

thanks for the ideas

soundguy

deepNdirt · May 11, 2010

a pontoon is the better choice of 1st time buyer/owner of any boat, I've had all kinds of boats, We had a 18 ft Bass buggy was a very comfortable cruising vessel, anything larger will become a hassle if transporting to and fro the lake, the Bass buggy had a 40 hp evnrude and done well under normal water conditions, although I have been caught out in the water when a storm come up and a 40 hp engine is not fast enough to get back in while on choppy water, the advantages of a Pontoon is you can beach it or pull up to a bank side and simply step off, while in the water you are looking over the water not actually in the water as would be in the hull of a boat, pontoon's have plenty of walk around room while fishing,
My 18 ft was easy enough to maneuver into tight coves,
I only sold the Pontoon because I had no time to use it for 2 years and I was letting it go down, my fast 21 ft speed cruiser and really speed is not where it is when trying to enjoy a day on the lake, at least for age group 50+

2 years ago we went into drought conditions and the area lake was record low so I sold it as well,

when time to get another it will for sure be a pontoon,:thumbsup: but with perhaps a bit larger engine,

lakngulf · May 11, 2010

We had that same drought year (2007) on Lake Martin as well. Some thought the lake would never be full again. I just kept pushing my floating dock out farther and farther, and built a ramp to it.

TheGoose · May 11, 2010

Whatever you do, a 4 stroke engine is a good choice for a pontoon boat. Make sure you run lots of stabilizer in the gas to handle the ethanol. Don't let it sit for more than a few weeks without any stabilizer or you'll be sorry.

Pontoons are stable and slow. They have lots of room. They can be difficult to handle in high winds. Very fun boat IMO and not easy to tear up like a glass boat.

Good luck.

Wayne County Hose · May 13, 2010

My boat is on a 15 mile lake here in Northeast Pa. I have been passed by pontoon boats when I was at full throttle! They pull tubes and water skiiers behind them. All depends on how they are powered.