Pontoon guidance

[davesparks2001]

Getting ready to sell our first boat which is a 1993 Starcraft 19' bowrider.
This site was so helpful when I was shopping for our current boat I thought I'd try again. We've enjoyed the bowrider but since we got it our circumstances have changed. We now camp regularly with a large group of people and two of those families have nice deck boats. We've decided we'd have more fun if we could get our whole group on the water at once so we're going to trade our boat for a good sized pontoon with lots of seating. The part where it gets kinda sticky is we don't want to spend a lot of money. Our boat probably won't bring much over $5000 and I don't want to put a lot with that to get a pontoon. I know I'm trying to have my cake and eat it too, but, I'd also like to still be able to pull a skier or tube. I don't know pontoons at all so any input would be greatly appreciated, ie. brands to stay away from, motors to avoid, trouble spots to watch for, etc. Thanks, Dave

 

[H20Rat]

Re: Pontoon guidance

I know I'm trying to have my cake and eat it too, but, I'd also like to still be able to pull a skier or tube.

Pontoons won't cut it for anyone beyond an absolute beginner on skis, or a kid under 6 years old on a tube.

 

[southkogs]

Re: Pontoon guidance

I've seen a couple 'toons that could pull a skier, but they couldn't maneuver well enough to pull to a fun level. Additionally, they lay a crumby table for skiing on ... that collapse of water behind the pontoons is a mess for a skier to go through.

That said - maybe you can have your cake and eat it too: before you dump the runabout, look at some used pontoons. Look at the cheap ones. Two cans, a new floor, deck rails, a helm and a 25HP outboard and you've got a party barge. Just have everyone bring their own folding chair and off you go ... If you can stay inexpensive enough, keep the bowrider and use both.

 

[MH Hawker]

Re: Pontoon guidance

Then you will need to look for a tri toon with at least 150 hp

 

[lncoop]

Re: Pontoon guidance

Then you will need to look for a tri toon with at least 150 hp

Not much chance of finding one of those for five Gs. I think Southkogs is on the right track. Find an old Harris or something with a solid deck and decent running outboard and get after it. If you can scrounge up a couple grand you should be able to do that.

 

[DuckHunterJon]

Re: Pontoon guidance

Just another vote for two boats. I don't think you'll find what you're looking for in a single boat at that budget. Another option might be a deck boat - more room, still can ski and tube? Just a thought.

 

[davesparks2001]

Re: Pontoon guidance

Thanks for the input guys. Regretably the two boat idea won't fly. I was actually supposed to have sold our runabout to put the money toward my Harley pay-off but it was too late in the season to sell it for a respectable price so we winterized to sell this upcoming season. I've worked a lot of overtime lately so my wife decided to let me off the hook on getting completely away from boating we just need more capacity. As I mentioned earlier, we camp with two other families with nice deck boats and they've already expressed interest in doing the skiing and tubing from their boats if we get a pontoon, so we would be the big cruiser and let them shuttle people back and forth to us. I just can't see myself putting around with a 25 HP outboard when I'm used to my 4.3L. I'd like to eventually move up to a deck boat as finances allow but it would be several years down the road. Just looking for a pontoon to take as large a crowd as possible out on the lake and preferrably go more than 5 mph, lol.

 

[raymondpickens]

Re: Pontoon guidance

I checked your local craigslist, and I think you should have no problems getting a nice boat in your budget. The prices I saw there are awesome actually, compared to where I am. Good luck with your search.

 

[southkogs]

Re: Pontoon guidance

Hey - I missed that you're in KY. Do a coupla' searches around Atlanta. Every now and again there is a real pile of deals down in that big ole' market. Road trip might be worth it.

 

[26aftcab454]

Re: Pontoon guidance

a good friend sold thier older/ruff 20ft runabout with a V8 and bought a barley used 10year old 24ft pontoon with a 90hp merc ( 22mph max)
and absoulutly LOVE IT!-- if you have good buds that you enjoy hanging out it with I would reccomend getting one.

 

[lncoop]

Re: Pontoon guidance

Yeah, toons are loads of fun, especially in a situation like yours, dave, and I think you'll be the group's hero for getting one. I grew up going to lake Norfork in Northern Arkansas, and back then the M.O. for most true lake families (doctors with lake houses, that sort of thing) was to keep a party barge in a slip and trailer a fast boat. Mom and the little kids would hop on the barge and putt putt to a cove while Dad and the big kids would head out in the ski boat. Back then a 24 footer with an 85 horse was a big fast barge. This was before tri-toons with 225s and wake towers, but I digress. It was lots of fun to go with friends who were set up that way; go out and play for a while then go back to the party barge for a sammich. I remember it being a novelty to try and slalom behind the barge. My buddy whose family goes with us a lot just bought a bowrider to complement our barge, so we're especially excited about this summer.

 

[southkogs]

Re: Pontoon guidance

^^^ did roughly the same type of thing on our lake.

We'd take both boats ('toon and the fast boat) off the dock. Anchor the pontoon out on the edge of the "ski loop" and people could swim, relax, talk, and take pictures of falling skiers. Made a "base," so to speak. Was also a good place for a skier to drop a ski if desired. Someone could swim out and grab it right away.

 

[lncoop]

Re: Pontoon guidance

Man, all of a sudden I'm jonesin'. Got a winter float trip on the Current River this weekend. After that I'll start tending to all the little issues on the barge so we'll be locked and loaded.

 

[26aftcab454]

Re: Pontoon guidance

Yeah, toons are loads of fun, especially in a situation like yours, dave, and I think you'll be the group's hero for getting one. I grew up going to lake Norfork in Northern Arkansas, and back then the M.O. for most true lake families (doctors with lake houses, that sort of thing) was to keep a party barge in a slip and trailer a fast boat. Mom and the little kids would hop on the barge and putt putt to a cove while Dad and the big kids would head out in the ski boat. Back then a 24 footer with an 85 horse was a big fast barge. This was before tri-toons with 225s and wake towers, but I digress. It was lots of fun to go with friends who were set up that way; go out and play for a while then go back to the party barge for a sammich. I remember it being a novelty to try and slalom behind the barge. My buddy whose family goes with us a lot just bought a bowrider to complement our barge, so we're especially excited about this summer.

yess indeed-after only one Summer I am the official Water Taxi of our bunch of Lake Rats. i like to run the boat every chance I get.

 

[davesparks2001]

Re: Pontoon guidance

Thanks for all the input. You guys are describing exactly what we're hoping for. We're looking for the "water taxi/floating base camp" for our group. I'm just trying to educate myself on what to avoid and such since I don't even know anyone that owns a pontoon. It will be at least a month or better before I summerize the bowrider so unless I get lucky and stumble across someone wanting to trade I've still got some time. I won't buy the pontoon until the bowrider's gone, unless I run across an absolutely incredible deal. Trying to stay out of trouble with momma, you know the drill, lol.

 

[davesparks2001]

Re: Pontoon guidance

Just got back from looking at a 1990 24' Mon Ark with a 110 HP Mercury. The motor runs good, comes with a bunk style trailer and the deck seems solid but all the carpet furniture and guages would have to be replaced. The guy is not wanting to accept less than $3500 for it. We're inclined to say no thanks, knowing it's going to take another $2-3000 and a lot of TLC to make it what we want. Am I looking a gift horse in the mouth? I know outboard motors are not cheap and the boat has potential. Any input would be very welcome.

 

[26aftcab454]

Re: Pontoon guidance

keep lookin-plenty more to see.

 

[southkogs]

Re: Pontoon guidance

^^^^^ 2nd that. $3K should get you LOTS of pontoon. "Next, please "

 

[davesparks2001]

Re: Pontoon guidance

I felt the same way. If I decided to take on a total renovation like that it would have to be a lot cheaper up front. I'll get my boat ready to sell here soon and let the games begin. Thanks for all the great input, I Love this site.