New to toons and looking for input

[clerick]

I've started looking for a boat that the whole family can enjoy, plus maybe a few moochers. A pontoon seems to make the most sense since i want space and a certain amount of flexibility (tubing, cruising lakes/rivers maybe camping). I've been looking at used boats and I can't decide if i should go with a mid condition boat that's ready to run but in need of some cosmetic TLC or start with a boat that's in rough shape and build from the ground up. I like the idea of a project and the pride that goes with the finished product but I don't want to get into a situation where I spend a lot more money over the cost of a newer, good condition boat. I also like that a project boat can be done piecemeal as funds are available versus taking a loan out or getting the money up front.

Here's what I'm wondering;

1) Is there any cost savings (long run) in finding a boat to strip down and rebuild?
2) How big a headache is rebuilding a boat going to be? I'm good with wiring and mechanical, but know next to nothing about pontoon specific issues.
3) If I go with a project, what am I looking for? Types of pontoons, tritoon versus dual, size and trailerability issues etc.

thank you in advance.

 

[The Rooster]

Re: New to toons and looking for input

Welcome to iBoats, Clerick. A bit more info would help. Plenty of experts that have rebuilt pontoons will chime in here shortly. Where will you be boating? Doesn't seem like you are that concerned about boating this year so time is on your side. It's not rocket science rebuilding a pontoon, so I'd concentrate hard on getting a top notch running motor. Sounds like 20' - 24 ' will suit you. Most would agree something in the 75-115 hp range for any watersports. Triple tubes are nice, but hard to find used, but you could build one yourself. How far do you think you will be towing? Dual axle trailer w/ brakes are recommended, along w/ a full size pickup/SUV. Good luck !!!

 

[bav/270w]

Re: New to toons and looking for input

Well, certainly a lot variables apply here. If this is your first boat I would stick with a boat ready to go. Cost factor for rebuilding a boat greatly depends on how handy you are and your source for supplies. Rebuilding from ground up is a very huge project and take several months to a year or more. Most companies now a days use round sectioned tubes. Bigger the diameter the better. Naturally a tritoon would be better all around but would cost more to begin with. You could start with a twin tube and add a third one later, this is done all the time. More so lately because of the abundance of twin toons out there already. I did this to mine. Mine is a 20' and is set up more for fishing and can accommodate 6 adults comfortably. I hope this will help and I'm sure other will chime in with their suggestions also. And welcome to the site, a great place for information.

 

[calvinator]

Re: New to toons and looking for input

IMO, I would buy a pontoon boat -- really enjoying mine !

But I would not buy one then rip it all apart and put it back together. That costs $$$ too.

I would just find a mid-condition water ready pontoon that may need some TLC, clean up, and freshing up.

Couple things to consider.

a) motor -- get the right motor/size for your intentions. You said water sports. Get 100HP plus motor. Tubers like 15mph-25mph.
b) sun coverage - you'll want canvas or metal tops - those are pricey to add later.
c) pontoon diameters - read up on what that means. It relates the # of people and size of motor you can have.
d) trailer - if you buy a pontoon with a trailer, triple check the road-worthiness of the trailer. Trailer maint. can add up.

and FWIW - here is a plot of pontoon length to motor HP to help determine motor size for water sports.

 

[Okieboatguy]

Re: New to toons and looking for input

Welcome, You are at the start of a fun and often frustrating trip. The chart Calvinator put up is right on, but does not take into account a TriToon. Mine is 21' Tritoon w/90 hp and we top out at 35+ mph. I have the lifting strakes and under-skinning as well and we love it, we are able to pull tubes water ski and wake board (although we don't get much of a wake). I would suggest shopping and visiting a lot of dealers so you can really get a grip on what you really might want. Beside the options on the deck, there are the options below, Like pontoon or Tritoon, skinned (which I highly recommend), and lifting strakes, in combination with your outboard horsepower. The items on the deck can be much easier changed later, however, the stuff below you are almost stuck with for the life of the boat unless you plan on spending some serious $$ to upgrade.
Also, make sure you are able to take it out before you buy, just don't take someones word that all is good since they can start it in their driveway with muffs.

 

[clerick]

Re: New to toons and looking for input

Thank's for all the input!

I can appreciate the frustration of buying new versus rebuilding old (have done more than a few cars like this). I have to admit that I'm drawn to the rebuild because I love projects, I have a few ideas and what better way to develop an intimate knowledge of your craft! But I'm no fool either, I've abandoned a few projects in my day, usually after dumping some good $$ into them.

I live in Minnesota, so we have 15,000 plus lakes and the Mississippi. I assume that we'll spend most of our time on lakes but the Mississippi and St. Croix offer some fun cruising possibilities.

I have an Excursion for trailering duty, so I'm not too worried about size. I had been thinking 24'+ because that should handle a family of 6 and a few friends. I know I'll need some HP to push a bigger boat but just a few hours on the internet has shown me that Minnesota has no shortage of used boat parts!

 

[rogerwa]

Re: New to toons and looking for input

Remember that a pontoon does not need furniture. You can use lawn chairs, coolers, whatever is comofrtable. So your project can be done in phases. The basic thing you want is a solid platform.

I would look for a toon that has larger logs, 23+" diameter, with good deck (plywood in good shape), good rails (skins can be changed or modified), and a good powerplant. In MN you can get an older motor which will still be very viable due to our short seasons. Just ensure what you do get is a good reliable model and in good mechanical condition.

The rest can be modified or upgrqded as you see fit and on your schedule.

 

[clerick]

Re: New to toons and looking for input

Remember that a pontoon does not need furniture. You can use lawn chairs, coolers, whatever is comofrtable. So your project can be done in phases. The basic thing you want is a solid platform.

I would look for a toon that has larger logs, 23+" diameter, with good deck (plywood in good shape), good rails (skins can be changed or modified), and a good powerplant. In MN you can get an older motor which will still be very viable due to our short seasons. Just ensure what you do get is a good reliable model and in good mechanical condition.

The rest can be modified or upgrqded as you see fit and on your schedule.

This is what I was thinking, though I'd probably replace the decking since that seems relatively easy to do and would probably be smart on the older toons that I've seen.

From my short time shopping around the net there doesn't appear to be any shortage of parts and upgrades available.

 

[rogerwa]

Re: New to toons and looking for input

You can make it what you want. Even swapping motors is easy if it comes to that..

 

[5150abf]

Re: New to toons and looking for input

Pontoons are probably the most basic of any boat and If you have a decent mechanical ability you will be fine, they are just nuts bolts and screws.

Add to that you have all of us at your fingertips if you it a snag, not much this group couldn't talk you through.

I would say know what your costs will be up front so you don't end up spending a ton so once you find a maybe boat figure out what it needs and spend a bit on the computer looking those parts up so you have an idea.

Never rebuilt a pontoon, I have built 100,000 of them new though, but I did strip my fishing boat to the keel strip and rebuilt that and it was a tremendously aggravating exhausting super rewarding experience that I would recommend to anyone.

Anywhere you look on the boat I can say "I did that" and that is like that because it I the way I wanted it but like I said it is a lot of work too.

 

[Rancherlee]

Re: New to toons and looking for input

A simple re-deck, carpet, and new furniture could be done in in a single weekend if you have a good helper and don't mind putting in 12 hours each day. redoing all the railings, redoing a wiring harness,and polishing everything up is what takes ALOT of time. I invested about 4000$ into re-decking and new furniture on mine and its like a new boat! 500$ Pontoon + 4000$ in rebuilt + 500$ center tube with strakes + 3200$ Johnsuki 70hp + ALOT of time = 8200$ like new Tritoon where as a new 21' would have run me 25k+ . If you got time and tools rebuilding a pontoon is a very worthwhile project!

 

[The Woo Woo Kid]

Re: New to toons and looking for input

I'ld buy one ready to run. Also, with all the endless threads on here about " How Do I Get My Pontoon To Go Faster ? " do your homework and buy one with lifting strakes. Honestly, there's a never ending supply of people on here who buy a toon only to very soon realize they want/need more speed. It's crazy. Many guys are tearing their's apart, adding a third toon, adding strakes(very difficult) or some other gadget because for most people slow toons suck. It's amazing how common it is on here.....why bother.....why go thru all that bs, major work and expense just to get an end result that quite often is disappointing.

Triple toons cost considerable more money and hp for hp aren't faster than a toon w/lifting strakes. Plus they weigh more and use more gas..... that's bad. Some guys have them and love them.... that's cool BUT they do cost a lot more and are heavier when it comes to a tow vehicle....you may need to also change tow vehicles. If none of this bothers you then go for it. Keep in mind boats are expensive to operate, towing, boat gas, launch fees easy $100 bucks a trip.

Suntracker claims, depending on HP/ boat size, lifting strakes increase speed up to %40 some percent and gas mileage up to %30 some percent. From my experience, that's accurate.

You may have to travel to get a used boat w/strakes or have it shipped but IT'S WORTH IT !!!

Strakes also eliminate the splash that soaks riders on average pontoons. My has no, none, nada,zip splash entering the boat. Why? Cause the lifting strakes lift the front end is out of the water and the shape of the strakes also directs any other splash down. This is a biggie as many say they get wet to considerably wet from toon splash.

Just my 2 cents worth. A quick look around this board and you'll find many threads bemoaning their slow pontoons, can't tube and wanting to make it faster, better riding.

Get strakes...Go a lot faster....Save a lot of gas.....No splash.

 

[clerick]

Re: New to toons and looking for input

Thanks for all the input! I really do appreciate it. I'm in the research stage and am hoping that by the time fall comes and prices drop I'll be in a position to pull the trigger on whatever I do.

 

[Bamaman1]

Re: New to toons and looking for input

I suggest you sign onto Pontoonforums.com for the best website dedicated to this subject. There are many dedicated tooners that'll lead you in the right direction.

Sounds as if you're going to be traveling heavy with people, etc. Tritoons are best with lifting strakes and 150 hp motors if you're going to be carrying more than 6 people.

You can easily find older twin toon boats to recondition, but after spending $3K for new furniture you'll still have an old style, under performing boat. You'll save $, but you'll also get what you pay for.

Late model good brands of tritoons are quick to sell on the used market. Craigslist.com and Boattrader.com are the best places to look for all boats.

 

[Old Screwball]

Re: New to toons and looking for input

We bought our first pontoon last year. We went with an 18 footer because it would fit in our garage off season, and still hold 9 adults. We opted for the largest engine allowable for the transom, a 75hp Merc. Once you get used to going 24.6 mph instead of the 75 the 'fast boat' went, it is a great toy! We bought new because I'm a terrible impulse buyer and I wanted my pontoon NOW. Maintenance is nearly zilch. I installed an RV water pump so I can hose off the deck and seats in the lake, and have one hell of a water gun when the water fights start. Also fabricated a slide for my grand kids, and an umbrella to shade the front of the boat. Cost was kind of a factor, our 'toon was just under 20 grand out the door with options. Would have loved to go Tri with a 150hp, but costs got prohibitive. Maybe if we sold a couple of the Harleys......

Good Luck, and happy hunting!

 

[The Woo Woo Kid]

Re: New to toons and looking for input

Very sharp lookin toon ! Blue always looks so good on the water.

The water's nice and clear, too.

 

[clerick]

Re: New to toons and looking for input

Excellent! I'll check it out.