Non Valk, Pontoon Boat

[pais]

Good morning all, hope all is well with you and yours!
I am kicking around buying a pontoon boat. A few years back my Nephew had one for sale and we passed on it. Wife and I have regretted it since. She has been hinting around about one and I have to admit I would like it as well. It will take away from my Valk time but wife doesn't enjoy riding. Pontoon would be for both of us as well as the kids.
I do not know a thing about them and boat motors seem to be less than reliable and a big expen$e. Any input, suggestions will be appreciated. Market always seems to have a variety out there for sale.
I am all ears gents!

[..]

You do know the best 2 days of boat ownership?

[Detn8er]

Bust
Out
Another
Thousand

[h13man]

You do know the best 2 days of boat ownership?

Yep, sure do. 

[da prez]

  We bought an electric pontoon boat for up north. Mighty Toon.

                                    da prez

[Oldfishguy]

Ok.  I have been around all kinds of boats most of my life. I can help but I need some more information.

Do you want to putt putt around a lake or do you want to pull tubers/water skiers?

How many people will typically be on the Toon at any given time?

Will you be in rougher water like big lakes or fast rivers?

Do you live on the water or will you be trailering it to the water every time?

What is your budget roughly?  $2000, 25000, or 50000?

A lot of choices out there; a little more information would help.

[cookiedough]

agree all kinds of pontoons out there to consider,  need to know your needs and wants first.

My rich neighbor has what I would call way way overboard but he has money spent 40-50K for a 30+ plus foot tri-toon with 300hp Mercury outboard outback.  He said saved over 10K off new pricing was a demo model at a boat dealership used gently by owner of the dealership a few times.   Then again,  he supposedly goes up and down the Mississippi river over by Iowa/WI/MN border with it.   He downsized had a 50 foot  houseboat twin diesel engines and he admitted got himself over his head with that one too expensive and too big.    At least this 30 foot ti-toon he has a trailer for and can tow (just barely) with a 1/2 ton truck vs. having to dry dock and pay someone to get that monster houseboat off the water before freezing.

My choice would be a basic pontoon (tri-toons are best though if wanting to pull people around outback on tubes, etc. and more stable in rougher/bigger waters) say in that 18-23 foot range tops enough to hold 6 people comfy with at least a 60hp engine.  I would stick with a 4 stroke engine in the Honda or Mercury or Evinrude mfg. since they get better mpg than a 2-stroke does, but upfront cost is more, but buying used vs. new is the key as 4 stroke outboards have come down in costs vs. the 1990s when I was comparing new technology 4stroke HOnda 40hp vs. my Mercury 2-stroke 40hp tiller model I have now on my 17 foot fishing boat.  I was then buying new not willing to pay 1500 more just to get a HOnda 40hp 4 stroke vs. mercury 2-stroke.

I have put 6 adults in my 17 foot fishing boat with 40hp 2-stroke 4 cylinder Mercury tiller outboard and NOT doing that again,  5 adults max preferably 4 since I over exceeded the weight capacity and was barely on plain full throttle bucking a lot of water upfront weighed down a lot, thus the need for a 60 hp on up outboard if in a pontoon IMO.  Most will say go 90 hp bare mininum but if only 4 adults on a pontoon and not wanting to pull tubers,  a 60 hp, even 40hp is iffy o.k. if say 17-18 foot pontoon smaller one,  if not wanting to go over 25 mph tops in a pontoon and 4 or less adults in the pontoon.   My 40hp 17 foot vhull alumacraft fishing boat tiller model with me and just my wife in front to hold the front end down goes 38 mph top speed as read by my GPS and to me,  that is fast enough especially in a tiller outboard.    I am able to keep up side by side on the lakes with those larger boats pushing more water with 90 hp engines.

In that 23 foot and under range is more manageable to load onto a trailer and pull easier with a 1/2 ton truck or bigger SUV.    For those getting over a 25 foot pontoon,  I say fine but unless going into big waters say Lake Michigan or huge lakes or having the need for more than 6 adults,  why the need?  to impress the neighbors like my neighbor thinks he does with money to burn?    I swear that 300hp Mercury in back of neighbors 30+ foot tritoon was taller than me and am sure weighed much more than me as well, was a monster.

[cookiedough]

if you did not get my hint,  buy gently used NEW boats are the worst in depreciation much more so than cycles and cars..

there are going to be some real good buys on craigslist in the coming months am sure and would always suggest asking the owners to go to the nearest boat ramp and test drive them first with the owners on board of course to make sure the engine runs well and the boat handles well and NO leaks in the pontoons themselves.    That way you know how to load/unload the pontoon onto the trailer and to see if too big or too small for your needs and able to handle it.  Like said,  over 23 foot IMO is harder to load onto a trailer at a boat ramp, especially smaller lakes, especially if the winds kick up.  It takes me only a couple of minutes to load/unload my lighter weight alumacraft 17 foot fishing boat at a boat ramp as compared to some taking 10-20 minutes.  If was mine,  I would get a gently used 60hp 4 stroke outboard in that 18-20 foot pontoon in good shape under 10 grand easily, they are out there just have to find them able to seat comfy 6 adults.    No experience using one, but heard they make a bigfoot model of outboards like Mercury does that supposedly can handle more torque needed in bigger boats like a pontoon weighing more with more adults/weight in them to help move the boat along in the water better.  That in an engine with a pontoon would be beneficial as well if you find that in an outboard.

Only a few times on my v-hull has the bunk trailer (non rollers) been off sideways but since is such a lightweight boat and somewhat 40hp motor,  I do not have to back the boat up into the water to move the bunk trailer over to get centered,  I can barely on dry pavement lift the boat/motor in back over 2-3 inches to get the bunk supports in the grooves again where they should be. 

bunk vs. roller trailers is debateable which is better.  When I bought my new 17 foot fishing boat/motor the dealer said go bunk trailer since supports more weight evenly along the hull underneath while others say go roller trailer, up to you, both are fine with me.  I could be wrong, but I see more bunk trailers with pontoons my guess is because they make a special type of trailers just made for pontoons taking a special variety to support well the pontoon floats themselves.

[cookiedough]

am no expert on mfgs. to get since I find most are acceptable am sure, but this one nearby is o.k. priced (could be cheaper since 2003 model year and smaller outboard) but like said, that 40hp mercury like mine is pushing the smallness on engine size on this 20 foot pontoon.  If not wanting to go over 20 mph with only 2-3 adults on it,  then is fine, but would be nice to go 60 hp on up for a little more oomph especially with 4 more more adults on board since this 20 foot size can easily handle 6 adults am sure. 

Putting 6 adults on this 20 foot pontoon with only a 40 hp engine would be stressing that little engine for power.

https://madison.craigslist.org/boa/d/delafield-2003-misty-harbor-20-pontoon/7086318211.html


this one below is nice but as said,  even if a 4stroke being better 40 hp mercury engine is all, is a bigger 24 foot pontoon and 40 hp is not enough for 5 or more adults unless want to just putz around not going very fast even though without a tri-toon, most pontoons are not made to go fast.  60 to 90 hp would be best but 40-50 hp would do I guess if not into 5 or more adults ever and have even seen 25 hp engines in 20-25 foot pontoon boats for those just wanting to go 10 mph or under for a leisurely cruise.

https://madison.craigslist.org/boa/d/hartland-2004-sylvan-24-pontoon-40-hp/7091833715.html

If into fishing though,  I would not get one like this above made more so for lounging around.  I would get a pontoon with at least 2 front individual boat seats upfront to fish off of with an upfront trolling motor foot mounted operation.   Some pontoons even are made for fishing with 2 individual upfront and 2 individual in back fishing seats would be best if into fishing with family a lot.

[cookiedough]

https://madison.craigslist.org/boa/d/hartland-1995-sylvan-mercury-bigfoot-50/7086951846.html

this one for me anyways would be ideal if it was not for the lounge seating upfront for 2 adults vs. my preferred individual fishing seats with trolling motor upfront to fish off of.  It has a new trailer and what appears to be a nice 50hp bigfoot mercury 4 stroke outboard and plenty of open space for 7 to 8 adults if needed. 

nothing fancy but roomy and 20 feet long is more then enough for most.  If had to guess that  2007 50 hp bigfoot 4 stroke mercury motor (depending on how much use and what condition) is easily worth 3k used and with new trailer and if seats not ripped and pontoons float no water leaking out of them if taking it for a test spin since is an older 1995 boat,  could be worth 9-10K.

back in 1997 when mercury just came out with 4 stroke technology when HONDA 4 strokes were king back then the 4 stroke (besides crazy insane pricier)  fuel economy was much better but much heavier for my fishing boat as well thus went with the 40 hp mercury 4 cylinder 2 stroke gas hog.   I think, not sure, then in 1998 mercury came out with the 3 cylinder 2-stroke as well to replace my 1997 mercury 4 cylinder for improved mpg fuel efficiency but the dealer told me for smooth low speed operation the 4 cylinder was  by far superior than the 3 cylinder replacing the 4 cylinder in the tiller model.

Also,  I wanted to put a 2 stroke 50 hp on my fishing boat vs. the 40 hp 2 stroke but my 17 foot fishing boat was only rated for 45 hp engine and dealer would not do it liability reasons exceeding hp rating but the weight of the 50 vs. 40 was not much at all and dealer said would work just fine but could not do it for not much more in price of a 50 vs. 40 hp 2 stroke back then and not much more in weight either. 
 

[Alberta Patriot]

You do know the best 2 days of boat ownership?

Bin-there, Done-that
There are a lot of very enjoyable days in between those two days.

[Jess from VA]

With boats (and a few other things, like girlfriends), it is worth your time to look at total cost of ownership (tax, maintenance, insurance, registration, dockage, trailer costs, storage, headache, yada), and how often you will actually use it (never the same as how much you hope to use it), and then compare cost of periodic rental.  

For instance, look at the total costs of a big RV (motorized or tow).... and then calculate how many motel rooms that would buy you.

Boats are almost never an investment.   

Growing up on an island, a buddy of mine built a 2by4 frame with deck around 10-12 55 gallon drums with a small transom to take a small outboard.  It was not like yachting, more like a slow moving island to drop an anchor and swim and fish from.  A big storm blew in once, and we discovered it lacked sufficient power to move against the high winds.  Best we could do was stay even and not get blown up on the rocks.  Then we ran out of gas.  We were good swimmers though (Abandon Ship!).  And the tremendous lightening was disconcerting, being the tallest thing out there.  When we retrieved it the next day, it was undamaged.

Another wise practice when boating.... learn to pay attention to the weather and storm warnings.  It helps keep the excitement level down to manageable.  Growing up, I twice watched my dad row a small dingy over a quarter mile out to a navigational black can buoy, where two people who lost their small boats in storms were hanging on for dear life in high winds and waves, and row them back to our house (frozen and scared stupid).  

[Patrick]

I prefer a 3 log pontoon to the normal 2 log. They ride and handle much better. Motors are very reliable today especially with a good name brand. I prefer Mercury though.

[Pappy!]

I may be able to help
We put out about 90 pontoons per year and service a Hell of a lot more.
I have been in the marine engine manufacturing industry (corporate and private), in advanced engines/engineering, almost all of my working life and way before that as well.
We see all brands of pontoons come in the shop. They all look great when new but as time in the elements progresses you can tell the quality between brands easier and easier.
We happen to sell Bennington Pontoons. They are on the upper end of the scale but have different models to choose from that start out pretty affordable.
We have the least amount of engine problems with the Yamaha family of engines as long as they are maintained. There are Yamaha dealers everywhere you look and that is something to keep in mind when choosing power. Also not all pontoons carry all brands of engines. Again, choose wisely as there needs to be a factory authorized servicing dealer near you.
Things to look for are the number of cross beams and spacing. Lesser pontoons will have fewer and spaced farther apart.
Quality of fasteners, upholstery, wiring, hardware, deck coverings, etc should all play a part in long term decision making.
Size of the pontoons and eliptical or round? Eliptical will support a heavy load better. Lift strakes or not? Strakes will help lift the hull onto plane, maintain a slower planing speed, and will be a few mph faster at top end with the same horsepower. You can look into triple pontoons in the larger boats for more load carrying capability. Choose according to the number of people you will carry MOST of the time.
Warranty. Benningtons have a bow to stern warranty that is about the best in the industry. Check out what is covered and what is not and for how long when looking at brands.
What I (we) see is that after a few years the Benningtons do seem to do well compared to most other models and they hold their re-sale value extremely well compared to a lot of them.
If we get a used Bennington on the lot most of the time it is sold within a few hours! We have waiting lists for them. Not a bad brand to have.
 

[pais]

Ok.  I have been around all kinds of boats most of my life. I can help but I need some more information.

Do you want to putt putt around a lake or do you want to pull tubers/water skiers?

How many people will typically be on the Toon at any given time?

Will you be in rougher water like big lakes or fast rivers?

Do you live on the water or will you be trailering it to the water every time?

What is your budget roughly?  $2000, 25000, or 50000?



A lot of choices out there; a little more information would help.

1)We will be putt-putting around a lake but will want to pull a tube around as well.

2) 4 people maybe 6 sometimes

3) Probably no rivers, definitely NOT fast moving. Lake size will vary.

4) Do not live on the water. Will pdock it at the lake and store in the Winter.

5) $10k max

[pais]

Bust
Out
Another
Thousand

 

[pais]

You do know the best 2 days of boat ownership?

Bin-there, Done-that
There are a lot of very enjoyable days in between those two days.

I agree with Alberta Patriot on this!

[shadowsoftime]

I have lots of knowledge in pontoons, as I have bought remodeled and sold lots and lots.

1-My personal opinion,Do not buy that have u-shaped logs, the one I had leaked bad and others I looked at leaked.
2-With logs hot in sun light, unscrew the drain plugs, if a woosh of air does not come out they leak.
3-It is normal for a cup of water to drain from log, condensation, 2cups or more it has a leak.
4-Outboard motor is best, any name brand, to winterize put motor in down position, add sta-bil start it with water muffs and garden hose on run for 5 minutes, disconnect muffs, run another 5 seconds
water drains out, it is winterized.
5- If owner will not let you test drive on lake, WALK AWAY, It may run and sound good on dry land but has to be on lake, not a barrel of water, must put a load on motor to see how it runs, after it has run awhile turn off and restart a few times, some will not start after warmed up.
6- 24 foot and longer at least a 115 HP motor.
7- check deck for rot.
8- Aluminum deck is a plus
9- All lights work
10- life jackets and ladder.
11- Take a spare battery, always
12- Check trailer tires and lights

I have had all lengths from 16 Foot to 32 foot.
For a family I would suggest a 30 foot Sun Tracker Party Hut,upper deck, kids love to dive off and you can pull it coast to coast with a 1/2 Ton p/u V8-5.7 L
If it has a full enclosure a big plus, just be sure to set it up, it might be rotten.
If you don't want to trailer a slip will run upwards of 200.00 a month.

Don't be in a hurry to buy, something better will always pop up.
use Craigslist
If not local, dicker to get best price before travel.
You will enjoy a pontoon and kids love them.
Can get a nice used party Hut, depending on year, I had 96 and 97 models, for 7,500.00 trailer included.
Brand new or used they are all the same, a deck sitting on logs with seating and motor, just cosmetics.
Good luck and happy boating

[Moonshot_1]

Ok.  I have been around all kinds of boats most of my life. I can help but I need some more information.

Do you want to putt putt around a lake or do you want to pull tubers/water skiers?

How many people will typically be on the Toon at any given time?

Will you be in rougher water like big lakes or fast rivers?

Do you live on the water or will you be trailering it to the water every time?

What is your budget roughly?  $2000, 25000, or 50000?



A lot of choices out there; a little more information would help.

1)We will be putt-putting around a lake but will want to pull a tube around as well.

2) 4 people maybe 6 sometimes

3) Probably no rivers, definitely NOT fast moving. Lake size will vary.

4) Do not live on the water. Will pdock it at the lake and store in the Winter.

5) $10k max

Would renting be an option? Seems like going rate would be 4-6 hundred a day for a nice one. Split up cost with friends and or family for the day. No hassle hauling, no hassle with renting boat space at a marina, no hassle with maintenance, no insurance, or taxes except that regarding the rental cost.

My daughter and son-in-law have a pontoon boat. Takes it up the Mississippi. It is a hassle hauling and launching and recovering it. It is an old boat but water worthy. It is really a nice one and I like it because it is not mine.

[Big Rig]

Rent FIRST!!!

Take a half day out on a lake....


Motors will be small...slow boat to cruise around on....

Go to boat shows if you are not in have to have it right now situation.

Decking on pontoons are key...especially of you are looking for used...

Construction is alum frame with marine grade plywood deck covered with either carpet of fiberglass coating.

The motor is where you want to be heavily invested. Check the hours on it if it is used.

Motor maintenance is the same as the bike...

If you are mechanically inclined you will be fine...google is your friend...there are also forums for specific motors.

Just figure out what you want to do with the boats...fish, cruise, skiing or just hangout at the local sand bar with friends???

Size matters...

Good luck.

[cookiedough]

see no reason for 24 foot or bigger and 115hp or more and not as likely this springtime of year you can get one for under 10K in good shape being in your budget.  Definitely as said go for a test drive on a local lake with owner and like said, if not, walk away.  Definitely as said walk all around the decking to see if rotten or spongy floor and good idea to check the floats for leakage as said. 

a 60-90 hp will pull a tuber just not as fast is all.  Was not ideal, but I pulled up 165lb. adult waterskiing with 1 other person in front seat to hold the front down of my 17 foot tiller model semi vhull alumacraft fishing boat,  but it took awhile to get onto plane but was do-able, but that 40 hp mercury tiller model was hurting for sure giving all it had.   

[Oldfishguy]

Ok.  I have been around all kinds of boats most of my life. I can help but I need some more information.

Do you want to putt putt around a lake or do you want to pull tubers/water skiers?

How many people will typically be on the Toon at any given time?

Will you be in rougher water like big lakes or fast rivers?

Do you live on the water or will you be trailering it to the water every time?

What is your budget roughly?  $2000, 25000, or 50000?



A lot of choices out there; a little more information would help.

1)We will be putt-putting around a lake but will want to pull a tube around as well.

2) 4 people maybe 6 sometimes

3) Probably no rivers, definitely NOT fast moving. Lake size will vary.

4) Do not live on the water. Will pdock it at the lake and store in the Winter.

5) $10k max

Well, your kind of in between that price range of something pretty nice and just ok. 

First the motor:  Most pontoons are sold with 50hp 4 stroke motors these days.  Yamaha and Mercury dominate the market.  In order to pull a tuber at speed you will need a 115 hp on most pontoons of any size.  Although a 50 hp will pull a small child at a speed they are happy with.  Please do not buy an old 2 stroke motor, much frustration will ensue. 

The pontoon:  You can go old or new.  Vinyl furniture coverings sitting outside become worn and brittle in a decade or so.  Decking boards become soft after a few decades.  The newer pontoons have larger diameter tubes and float higher and are more stable than pontoons of several decades ago.  Better yet is the 3 tube pontoons, but they are out of your budget range.  Modern pontoons are vented on the top of the tubes too and will not hiss when removing the rear plug. Atleast a 20 foot pontoon and not bigger than 24 foot; think garage and storage space, plus trailer.

The best name brand for the last 10 years has been Bennington as previously mentioned by Pappy!, and outsell others in the country almost 10 to 1.  There is a reason for that, they are very well made and of modern design. 

Good used pontoons are very hard to find; at least they were up to a few weeks ago. You will find better luck now I am sure of that.

The other options is to go old school like I did a few years back if you have the skill set.  Restore an old one and hang a new motor on it, 25hp in my case.  The small older tubes though are good for only about 6 people though.

1974 Weeres 20 foot with original aluminum chain link fence

     

[phideux]

Ok.  I have been around all kinds of boats most of my life. I can help but I need some more information.

Do you want to putt putt around a lake or do you want to pull tubers/water skiers?

How many people will typically be on the Toon at any given time?

Will you be in rougher water like big lakes or fast rivers?

Do you live on the water or will you be trailering it to the water every time?

What is your budget roughly?  $2000, 25000, or 50000?



A lot of choices out there; a little more information would help.

1)We will be putt-putting around a lake but will want to pull a tube around as well.

2) 4 people maybe 6 sometimes

3) Probably no rivers, definitely NOT fast moving. Lake size will vary.

4) Do not live on the water. Will pdock it at the lake and store in the Winter.

5) $10k max

Well, your kind of in between that price range of something pretty nice and just ok. 

First the motor:  Most pontoons are sold with 50hp 4 stroke motors these days.  Yamaha and Mercury dominate the market.  In order to pull a tuber at speed you will need a 115 hp on most pontoons of any size.  Although a 50 hp will pull a small child at a speed they are happy with.  Please do not buy an old 2 stroke motor, much frustration will ensue. 

The pontoon:  You can go old or new.  Vinyl furniture coverings sitting outside become worn and brittle in a decade or so.  Decking boards become soft after a few decades.  The newer pontoons have larger diameter tubes and float higher and are more stable than pontoons of several decades ago.  Better yet is the 3 tube pontoons, but they are out of your budget range.  Modern pontoons are vented on the top of the tubes too and will not hiss when removing the rear plug. Atleast a 20 foot pontoon and not bigger than 24 foot; think garage and storage space, plus trailer.

The best name brand for the last 10 years has been Bennington as previously mentioned by Pappy!, and outsell others in the country almost 10 to 1.  There is a reason for that, they are very well made and of modern design. 

Good used pontoons are very hard to find; at least they were up to a few weeks ago. You will find better luck now I am sure of that.

The other options is to go old school like I did a few years back if you have the skill set.  Restore an old one and hang a new motor on it, 25hp in my case.  The small older tubes though are good for only about 6 people though.

1974 Weeres 20 foot with original aluminum chain link fence

     

I like that one.

[cookiedough]

this is a very nice one I feel would be perfect if into fishing.

not too big 18 feet yet sits 4 people comfy on each corner to fish out of .

ONLY thing I wish was a 40hp or 60hp 4 stroke that 25 hp 4 stroke would sip the gas, but only go say 15 mph or so just enough to catch a breeze going full throttle on a very hot day.

https://madison.craigslist.org/boa/d/marshfield-2007-misty-harbor-pontoon/7110225043.html

[cookiedough]

you will not be pulling a water skier so really feel no need if 18-22 foot pontoon to go 115 hp as suggested.   pulling a tuber 160lbs. or so behind with a 60 hp is fine as long as not 5-6 other people on board as well.  I pulled a 160lb. adult up water skiing with my 17 foot aluminum fishing boat with my 1997 mercury 2stroke 4 cylinder 40hp tiller outboard with 1 other person upfront to hold the front end down.  Top speed taking awhile to get onto plane was about 25 mph or so just fast enough to have fun, but was struggling to get onto plane quickly from a start.  My wife and me on board only does 38 mph plenty fast enough to have some fun keeping up with 90 hp outboards on bigger and heavier boats.   Without a console model,  that tiller outboard holding it doing near 40 mph has some torque steer to it.

[Oldfishguy]

this is a very nice one I feel would be perfect if into fishing.

not too big 18 feet yet sits 4 people comfy on each corner to fish out of .

ONLY thing I wish was a 40hp or 60hp 4 stroke that 25 hp 4 stroke would sip the gas, but only go say 15 mph or so just enough to catch a breeze going full throttle on a very hot day.

https://madison.craigslist.org/boa/d/marshfield-2007-misty-harbor-pontoon/7110225043.html

That Honda motor is carbureted, not fuel injected. Honda outboards were quite late to the game in converting to fuel injection. I know it is a Honda and we ride Honda’s, but if your buying a 4 stroke might as well buy one with fuel injection. Don’t assume all 4 strokes are fuel injected.