Looking for another boat, need your opinions.

[wvff525]

Hello all, I've currently got an old 15' tri hull that I use for fishing and cruising the river. Most of the time it is just me and a buddy and my current boat works just fine. Our wives have recently expressed an interest to go boating with us so we thought we would give it a try. Long story short, the little 15' tri hull with only a 50Hp Outboard could not handle 4 adults very well.

So I've began the search for a bigger boat. My problem is I'm torn between two different types of boats. I like the open bow ski boats in the 17' to 20' range. My wife would prefer a pontoon, and I'll have to admit I do see some advantages to a pontoon.

So basically I'm trying to weigh the pros and cons between the two types of boats. I thought maybe some more experienced boaters could point out a few things that I, being a fairly new boater, may not think of. Your advice/opinions would be greatly appreciated. Thanks

 

[valkyr]

Re: Looking for another boat, need your opinions.

You're really really going to have to sit down write down the pros and cons of each. Figure out which one you'll get the most use out of. Do you think you'll fish more than ski (because Pontoons are great for fishing). Do you think you'll socialize and like to sit back and putput around the lake more than zoomzoom around the lake? Are you really going to need to be able to pull skiers? How often? Do you have a friend that has a ski or pontoon boat already that you could use when you have the desire to do one or the other.

I was torn between a pontoon and a runabout/bowrider as well. But I have 3 small kids and I want to teach them to ski and pull a tube with them etc. But, I absolutely love to fish. I went with the runabout and we fish off it some but we can't get as close to the banks (and out of the way) as I would like but its serviceable for fishing....A pontoon might be serviceable for pulling a tube but probably not a skier.

Just my .02...Good luck!

 

[rogerwa]

Re: Looking for another boat, need your opinions.

If you are trailering, go with the runabout.. Trailering a pontoon, while feasible, is a lot more difficult than the runabout.

Smaller pontoons may not be too much of a problem, but from my experince, I hated trailering the pontoon and dragging it everywhere. Took up a lot of room on my driveway and acted llike a sail on the road.

Trailering the 17' OB was a pleasure. Easy on/Easy off and the thing towed very easily.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Looking for another boat, need your opinions.

go to the best of both worlds, a deckboat. combo of the toon/bowrider. or the new to come Bayliner 205 fish m ski. it is able to give you the bass boat set up, and the runabout bow rider. total conversion, less than 10 minutes, all the stuff is stored aboard the boat. fish in the morning, pull into the dock, remove the pedistal seat, floor panels, stik them in the storage spots, and the wives have the bowrider, also comes with the motor guide wireless trolling motor.. here's a link to my post about them:
http://forums.iboats.com/showthread.php?t=198208

 

[KCook]

Re: Looking for another boat, need your opinions.

For me it would depend in large part on the water I'm running on. For a big lake or river, where I want to cover a lot of distance, I would want the faster bowrider. But for more modest water, or just exploring the lazy arms of a lake, a pontoon is mighty comfortable.

Here is a thread on another site that may help -

http://www.boatingabc.com/forums/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Board=10&Number=283672

Kelly Cook

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Looking for another boat, need your opinions.

here's a shot of the boat i'm suggesting, just letting you know what in the near future, and not availble yet.

 

[wvff525]

Re: Looking for another boat, need your opinions.

Thanks for the responses! tashasdaddy, that boat looks and sounds great, unfortunatly, my budget is only going to allow me to buy used. A deck boat crossed my mind, but honestly, I've never seen one in my area, so the likelihood of finding a used one in this area is rare.

I don't live on the water so I'll have to trailer to and from. Thats really the only big draw back I can see with a pontoon. We have tons of them hear, but I rarely see one being trailered.

Skiing isn't real important, but the ability to pull a tube would be nice.

Other concerns of mine is the fuel consumption.

I fish about every time I go out, but if I'm not fishing I mainly just putt putt around. Going fast isn't a big deal for me. The boat I have now, does approx. 25 to 30 and thats plenty fast for me.

Heres a pro and con list I've come up with so far.

Pontoon Pro's
roomy enough for family and friends
able to be powered by smaller motor
smaller motor, easier gas consumption
bring the grill and have a cookout on the water
easy to fish off of

Cons
big, require larger storage area(space in yard)
not very areodynamic for long tows
probably a pain to load on trailer???
not really feasable to take when just my buddy and I want to fish

Open Bow/Ski boat Pro's
ability to fish of of
ability to pull tube
easier to manuever
easier to trailer to and from
easier to load and unload from trailer
they look cooler (personal opinion)
easier to store (would probably fit in my garage for the winter)

Cons
limited space for passengers and gear
bigger motor
bigger motor = more fuel consumption


Thats all I can think of right now. please feel free to add to my lists if I've forgotten anything.

If I decide to go with a pontoon, what size should be enough for 4 adults and a few children? I was thinking like a 24 footer. But I know where there is a nice 18' one for sale now. There is just so many options, its driving me crazy.
Thanks again for the advice/opinions offered thus far.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Looking for another boat, need your opinions.

i am getting older 58, and considering find a toon to refurbish, and put my 88spl on it. i like the idea of the grill, and open space. my idea is to make the seating in the middle of the toon vs the sides as many are set up. this way you can fish all the way around, have a wireless trolling motor. still be able to grill, and i'm thinking 20 footer. i've also seen some where they are open except for the helm, and deck chairs used. with the 88, and 20' i think it would tube ok.

 

[sc_shane]

Re: Looking for another boat, need your opinions.

Thought I would key in here as a pontoon owner. I've got a 25 foot pontoon with a 90HP Yamaha on it. I run around in it at 20 mph all day with 6 people on it plus pulling someone on a tube. It's perfect for fishing and bringing as many as you want on it (I've had 10 people on it for a nice evening cruise).

If I were you, I'd go down to a local dealer and get on a new 20 footer just to see how big it is. Trust me, it's a good sized boat! I'm not suggesting you buy new, just so you can see the difference in size. Most places have a 20 and 24 footer in the showroom.

As for the ease of putting on the trailer, a pontoon is really easy as long as you don't have one of those old worthless scissor trailers. A nice drive on is simple as can be.

Towing a pontoon isn't as nice as a bowrider, that's for sure. I keep my near the lakes (I'm an hour away from 3 different lakes, so I pay $50 a month to dry store it convienient to all 3 lakes). That way I don't take up space at the house, have to trailer it and am able to keep the interior nicer. But, for occasional tows home for maintenance and tinkering, it's not that bad - it just depends on your tow vehicle.

And lastly, as for taking it out for just 2 people, it's still great! Although I've taken mine out by myself before, I do not recommend that, but for 2 it's just fine. It really is easy to load and unload and you have TONS of space.

I went through the same thing as you looking at bowriders and pontoons. For my situation, versitility came through in the pontoon. I can simply have more opportunities to use it than anything else - especially with 2 young kids (the sides act as a big playpen!).

Best of luck to you and whatever you decide. But really, go to a dealer and get on one so you can see the size of them. They're wonderful!

 

[studlymandingo]

Re: Looking for another boat, need your opinions.

Other concerns of mine is the fuel consumption.

bigger motor = more fuel consumption

This is not necessarily true. If you have a boat with a small motor that is lugging and straining to push the thing around, then you are going to be using more fuel than a properly sized motor that is relaxing as it pushes your boat at the same speed.​

 

[ezmobee]

Re: Looking for another boat, need your opinions.

Given your chosen activities and boating style you described it certainly seems as though the pontoon would be the way to go. They are no doubt one of the most versatile crafts you can buy. My uncle had one set up like TD described. Deck chairs and home-built cushioned-lid deck boxes. The only thing bolted down was the drivers seat and console. He had a painted deck and no carpet so the entire thing could literally be hosed down. However, towing looks to be a nightmare. Ever follow someone towing a 'toon? Ugh.

 

[Frank Acampora]

Re: Looking for another boat, need your opinions.

You left out the most important PRO: Your wife is partial to the 'toon.
When the woman is happy, everyone is happy. When the woman is pissed, the whole neighborhood hears it.

 

[wvff525]

Re: Looking for another boat, need your opinions.

Thanks for all the replies! The wife and I went saturday to look at an 18' toon. Turns out that she didn't care for it once she climbed onboard and checked it out. Then a bow rider caught her eye so we checked it out too. We ended up purchasing the bow rider. Its a 1980 18' Thompson with a I/O. It was a little older than I was thinking of purchasing but the price was way below our budget and it appears to be in really good condition for its age. Now I've got to do some research and familiarize myself with an I/O. Once again, thanks for all your help.

 

[sc_shane]

Re: Looking for another boat, need your opinions.

Congrats on the new boat! Keep an eye on the forums around here for advice and answers to many questions. This place is great for information! Enjoy your new boat!

 

[wildspeed]

Re: Looking for another boat, need your opinions.

came to late in the thread ....but a Dual console OB was (in my opinion) the best choice for your needs...

Congrat on your new purchase..and enjoy your new toy safely