Pontoon Advice

[VaGent]

I'm about to purchase a 1984 JC 24ft pontoon that has the "U" shape logs & a full length deck. It is rated at 16 people or 2900 lbs max people+motor+gear & 90 HP motor max.

The logs are in excellant shape as is the floor but needs carpet & new furniture. It has an aluminum top that I will be replacing if I buy it & it comes with a Johnson 50 hp engine without trim & tilt & was rebuilt last year. The railing & fence is in good shape & just needs cleaning. Does anyone know anything about a JC MFG pontoon? Are they considered good pontoons overall verses other brands? Any info would be appreciated. Thanks

 

[gbb]

Re: Pontoon Advice

I have a 96 20 JC toon with the u shape logs. It is very stable, built strong and we love it. The only problem I have with the logs is with my transducer, with the seam at the bottom, my depth finder goes out at high speeds. They are still in business which is good.

 

[VaGent]

Re: Pontoon Advice

I have a 96 20 JC toon with the u shape logs. It is very stable, built strong and we love it. The only problem I have with the logs is with my transducer, with the seam at the bottom, my depth finder goes out at high speeds. They are still in business which is good.

From all that I have been able to find out so far they have been in business for over 30 yrs & are still doing pretty well considering the way the economy is right now. The one I am buying even has treated 2X2s space between the cross members & they show no sign of wear. I looked it over very carefully & it seems to be very well built. For the price I was given I had to buy it. I do know for a fact there isn't any comparison between the Riveria Cruiser I looked & the JC. The JC looks to be stronger built then the Cruiser. PLUS the drain plugs are at the bottom of the tubes whereas the Cruiser doesn't have any drain plugs at all. This is a PLUS IMO.

When you say "high speeds" what speed are you talking about? I plan on installing a depth finder on mine so I am just curious. Thanks for the information.

 

[OldePharte]

Re: Pontoon Advice

Someone jump in here and correct me if I am wrong but... I think there are like 3 manufactures of the toons themselves and all the OEMs buy from them. Not a lot of difference in them size for size. As you have to replace the carpet, furniture and cover there isn't a lot of concern over which manufacture is better.

Bubba - My guess is that all the big pontoon mfrs make their own tubes. At least that is true of those in central MO. Some smaller mfrs could buy from others, but I haven't been through all pontoon plants.

I have a JC Neptoon. They seem to be well built. The 24 footer with a 90hp should be okay for most activities. My neighbor has a 26 footer with a 90 Merc and he is satisfied; but then he doesn't pull any tubes. Just cruises.

 

[DJ]

Re: Pontoon Advice

You're talking about a 26 year old boat. Who made it is irrevelant. A lot has happened, in the marine industry, since then.

You have to go by current condition-period.

 

[Crazyju]

Re: Pontoon Advice

I have the exact same boat 1984 24'. I tore it down to the frames and everything seems very solid. No cracks were found and all the welds are perfect.

 

[smclear]

Re: Pontoon Advice

JC Mfg is located in North Webster, Indiana. They are about 4 miles away from my lake house. My family has owned JC's for the past 20 - 25 years. We have always been quite satisfies with them and I would absolutely recommend them to anyone looking. But..... as a previous post mentioned, this is an old boat. I guarantee that JC made the boat to last. At this point it really does boil down to the previous owners care of the boat. Even the best Mfg.'s boats will leave you disappointed if the previous owner did not take care of it. My only concern would be with the 50HP engine. It will be fine for leisurely cruises, but if you wish to pull tubes and such, I think you'll be disappointed.

 

[VaGent]

Re: Pontoon Advice

JC Mfg is located in North Webster, Indiana. They are about 4 miles away from my lake house. My family has owned JC's for the past 20 - 25 years. We have always been quite satisfies with them and I would absolutely recommend them to anyone looking. But..... as a previous post mentioned, this is an old boat. I guarantee that JC made the boat to last. At this point it really does boil down to the previous owners care of the boat. Even the best Mfg.'s boats will leave you disappointed if the previous owner did not take care of it. My only concern would be with the 50HP engine. It will be fine for leisurely cruises, but if you wish to pull tubes and such, I think you'll be disappointed.

I have a good running Johnson 70 with t/t that I am going to use instead of the 50. It too may not pull tubes & skiers but at my age I have no desire to do either of those activities. But overall the entire structure of the boat looks to be in great shape other then the carpet. Even the fencing is in good shape for it's age so it appears the boat has been taken pretty decent care of over the years. I like the fact it has a full 24ft deck & the playpen is 21ft which will provide much more room for everyone. A good cleaning & new carpet along with new wiring & I think I will have a boat the family can enjoy.