Newbie

[BuckyBadger]

Hello all. Been lurking for while and have been getting lots of good tips and insight. It's a very knowledgeable bunch here on the forum.

I was going to post a pic of our boat but looking through all our pictures I realized I don't have a good picture of just the boat (I know I can't believe it either). All the pictures are from on the boat or on the sandbar.

We have a 2 year old 20' Starcraft pontoon. We were seriously looking for about 2 years before finally taking the plunge. Talked about it for quite a few years before that. Its our first boat and when we started looding we intended to go used but just couldn't find the right boat and the right deal. Then we found the Starcraft and couldn't pass it up.

Have two girls who are now 6 and 4. The pontoon has served it purpose well but we have just started discussions about getting someting with a little more oomph. If this search goes like the last one it may be a while though.

Just wanted to say hi and thanks for all the info. I will work on getting a pic up. Might not be till next weekend though.

 

[CheapboatKev]

Re: Newbie (FNG)

Re: Newbie (FNG)

Welcome Aboard!
Sounds like the toon has served you well..And a Starcraft to boot!

 

[lprizman]

Re: Newbie (FNG)

Re: Newbie (FNG)

hello and welcome aboard!!!

 

[woosterken]

Re: Newbie (FNG)

Re: Newbie (FNG)

if you like your toon,why not put more oomph on it?

woosterken

 

[dodger11]

Re: Newbie (FNG)

Re: Newbie (FNG)

I agree with woosterken, if you like your boat, look at a larger motor. Might be a lot cheaper than a whole new rig!

 

[BuckyBadger]

Re: Newbie (FNG)

Re: Newbie (FNG)

I have considered this option. Currently have a Merc 60hp bigfoot and getting 17mph WOT(gps) with a good size load on board. The boats max hp rating is 115. Just not sure if that would be enough for towables and the limited research I've done so far it looks like a repower is going to be a sizable chunck of change as well. I also have some concerns about the handling of the toon. Its great for just cruising but anything beyond that I would think a V or modified V will have some distinct advantages.

 

[Bob_VT]

Re: Newbie (FNG)

Re: Newbie (FNG)

Welcome to iboats.

Please in the future use an appropriate thread title which includes the subject. Titles such as help or newbie do nothing for assistance. Read this thread for help http://forums.iboats.com/showthread.php?t=250872

 

[cribber]

Re: Newbie

Welcome to the forum!!! Are ya thinking about trading over to a deck boat or something similar? Or going with a toon with more horsepower? There is a lot of info in here as you already know. Check out the Pontoon threads for suggestions on where you want to take your boating. I've got a buddy that has a 28 foot pontoon with a 351 Windsor that is really overkill!!! That is one scary fast toon!!!

 

[ezmobee]

Re: Newbie

You sound like a great candidate for a deck boat to me! Check out the new Hurricanes. They look really awesome to me.

 

[dave11]

Re: Newbie

You sound like a great candidate for a deck boat to me!

X2 When you pick something out, make sure you take it out on a sea trial to make sure it will have enough "oomph" for you. Be sure to load it down, not just an empty boat.

 

[BuckyBadger]

Re: Newbie

Agreed on the deckboat. I was leaning that way when we originally bought the pontoon. The wife was pretty set on the pontoon and at the time we really didn't know much about the deckboats. So the pontoon won out. We did go to sports and boat show earlier in the spring and the wife finally has come around on the deckboats. I did get a "You were right" and I don't get too many of those.

Our plan was to keep the pontoon about 5 years so we still have a year or two before we pick up the pace on the search for a replacement. I like to keep up to date with whats available in our area and if we come across the right deal. Who knows?

Ezmobee mentioned the Hurricanes. I've heard good things about them but there are hardly any in our area (southwest wisconsin). Went out to their dealer locator and found a couple places a few hours north. Might be worth the drive to take a look.

I've never even considered jet propulsion but I have to admit the layout and the amount of space available in the new Yamahas has me taking a second look. At this point I definitely feel more comfortable with a standard prop drive. But might have to give it a closer look.

 

[sewerrat]

Re: Newbie

Hello all. Been lurking for while and have been getting lots of good tips and insight. It's a very knowledgeable bunch here on the forum.

I was going to post a pic of our boat but looking through all our pictures I realized I don't have a good picture of just the boat (I know I can't believe it either). All the pictures are from on the boat or on the sandbar.

We have a 2 year old 20' Starcraft pontoon. We were seriously looking for about 2 years before finally taking the plunge. Talked about it for quite a few years before that. Its our first boat and when we started looding we intended to go used but just couldn't find the right boat and the right deal. Then we found the Starcraft and couldn't pass it up.

Have two girls who are now 6 and 4. The pontoon has served it purpose well but we have just started discussions about getting someting with a little more oomph. If this search goes like the last one it may be a while though.

Just wanted to say hi and thanks for all the info. I will work on getting a pic up. Might not be till next weekend though.

If I didn't already have a boat I love and had the garage space, I'd jump on this http://milwaukee.craigslist.org/boa/1654352640.html

If you are used to the space of a pontoon, this appears to be a great compromise. I love deck boats.

 

[ezwitter]

Re: Newbie

welcome to iboats.

 

[reap182]

Re: Newbie

Welcome aboard!