Advice needed on looking for a used pontoon

[Bob1958]

Since our kids are grown we're looking to move away from the bowrider and go to a pontoon. I know very little about them, and I'll research it for probably a good year before making a move. What I'd like is something on the higher end, reliable and sturdy, with quality seating and room for 6 to move about easily. Mostly we just drift around and fish or swim, so we don't need to necessarily be going more than 5 miles on most days. We'd prefer something that's not more than 5 years old, maybe in the $15 to $20 thousand range (of course we'd love to spend less if we could). I'll take any advice, from brand names to specific models and try to find them as we travel around the lake. Thanks in advance for your advice!

 

[WaterDR]

Re: Advice needed on looking for a used pontoon

Your price range is pretty realistic based on the age requirements you have specificed. Brand, condition, upgrades, size.....all will impact price. Also, motor size. $20k will get you a VERY nice boat that is 3 or 4 years old, with a 40 hp mtor, but will be very slow which may be fine. There are lots of nice brands out there.

i would stay to just start looking online and visit some showrooms to see what you like.

First few questions.....how big do you need and what size motor? What do you mean by "higher end"? That can mean a lot to different people. Do you want two or three tubes?

I find it curious that you stated that your kids have grown so are moving away from a bowrider. Personally, I think a pontoon is a far better platform in many ways for kids that a bowrider. They are a lot more stable, more roomy, and can make a ton of speed too. Not as manueverable.

 

[WaterDR]

Re: Advice needed on looking for a used pontoon

Also, don't foget to consider how many people you plan to have onboard. Some tune lay-outs are better for more people and others are better suited for less and use captains chairs in some places in lieu of coaches.

The fun and daunting part of pontoons is the wide-range of layouts.

 

[Bob1958]

Re: Advice needed on looking for a used pontoon

First few questions.....how big do you need and what size motor? What do you mean by "higher end"? That can mean a lot to different people. Do you want two or three tubes?

Judging by what I see, 24 to 26 ft. seems like that should be enough. Two tubes. By "higher end" I mean a well-built boat that doesn't skimp in the areas that count most. Most of what's on our lake is in the 70-90hp range, so I'm assuming that's about what we'll need.

I find it curious that you stated that your kids have grown so are moving away from a bowrider. Personally, I think a pontoon is a far better platform in many ways for kids that a bowrider. They are a lot more stable, more roomy, and can make a ton of speed too. Not as manueverable.

We're on a 30-mile lake, and when the kids were younger we spent time travelling all over it, but we needed to get where we were going in good time. Also, dragging a tube behind a 135hp I/O looks to be a lot easier than your average pontoon. Storage won't be as easy....what we have now is garaged all winter; a pontoon stays outside.

 

[gpfishingdude]

Re: Advice needed on looking for a used pontoon

We found a used 18' Bass Buggy about 10 years old and the important things we looked for were the condition of the pontoons and the rest of the structure-- the rails, frame, deck, transom. The 50 horse motor started and ran good and the trailer looked like it was in decent shape. We added some seating, a power anchor winch, a couple of trolling motor batteries and rewired the boat. The Tracker trailstar trailer had one bow stop missing and the other one was weather rotted. I replaced them with plastic wood that should last a lifetime. One of the trailer bunk boards fell off the second time we launched the boat and I reworked the bunk boards with bolts and washers that go clear through in place of the original lag screws. Fixed the inside guide ons and added outside guide posts, aft. I relocated the original bow hook for the winch strap from 3' underneath to deck side. We launched and loaded today in a matter of a few minutes. If you buy used figure on spending some money replacing things that deteriorate due to age-weathering- and if you are still saving money it will be due to the amount of sweat equity involved. 1991-$3500 plus about another $3500 to fix it up where it is safe and seaworthy and trailerable.