Taking a pontoon into the gulf - Destin area

[Zapit2um]

We just returned from a vacation in Destin Florida and while there we really wished we had taken our pontoon boat with us. Well we are seriously considering taking it with us next year when we go but have some concerns about it. I'm hoping there are some pontoon owners on this site that might live in this area that can help me out on this.

First a little about my boat - 2 toons - 20'lg boat - 90hp outboard

How safe is it to take the pontoon boat outside the bay and into the gulf? The water in the gulf seemed pretty calm for the most part. I understand that the weather can change pretty quickly and it can get pretty rough so I would be very diligent about checking the conditions throughout the day.

I've had it out on the lake when there were 2 to 3 foot swells w/ 20+ winds, it was rough but it seemed to do just fine.

 

[The Rooster]

Re: Taking a pontoon into the gulf - Destin area

You'll be fine out there as long as you keep abreast of the weather. I wouldn't stray too far from the inlet though. If the weather picks up that inlet can be a handful. If you run out there and head west, there's no place to run for cover until you reach Pensacola, so keep that in mind. If its too rough, we stay around Crab island, or go exploring the bay or run the "ditch" towards Pensacola in protected waters. We've never dragged our barge all the way there. We prefer to rent one for the day when we're w/ others that way we're not worried about security concerns, salt water, or dealing w/ any mechanical issues while away from home waters. Good luck !!!

 

[Zapit2um]

Re: Taking a pontoon into the gulf - Destin area

Thanks for the info. I would like to do some fishing in the ocean and we would also like to zip down the coast towards the east and anchor a little ways off shore in fromt of the beach house we rent. It's an 8 mile trip from the harbor down the coast to the beach house and with the 90hp I could make it in abour 20 minutes or so. Just didn't know if that was doable in a pontoon.

 

[MinUph]

Re: Taking a pontoon into the gulf - Destin area

We are north of the tampa bay area. The gulf is pretty calm most of the time. I don't know the coast line in the panhandle. I watch the weather closely and have been fine. Where we are its like a bathtub. I've seen it turn up but I wouldn't be out there then. Not with a toon or any small craft. If you're careful and pay attention you will be fine. The people that have problems generally take chances they shouldn't.

 

[500dollar744ti]

Re: Taking a pontoon into the gulf - Destin area

You can't really sink a pontoon boat although I do see a lot of them getting submarined at the inlet that I use. On a nice day I would say it's fine but be careful if it gets snotty out.

 

[Silver Eagle]

Re: Taking a pontoon into the gulf - Destin area

Our 24 ft'er has never been on a Lake, We use our toon out in the Chesapecke Bay. It get's pretty rough at times. I have a 90 HP two stroke Merc. It's no speed boat but it can handle some high swells. Most of the time when I'm out in the big water I leave my front door open just in case. this really makes a difference.

 

[Zapit2um]

Re: Taking a pontoon into the gulf - Destin area

Thanks for the information! It sounds as if it would be fine to take it into the gulf as long as I keep a close eye on the weather and stay close enough to shore to not lose sight of it. I don;t really want to go that far out from shore just far enough to do some fishing and maybe some scuba diving.

 

[jeeperman]

Re: Taking a pontoon into the gulf - Destin area

No matter what, as soon as you haul your toon 850 miles one way...................your entire week here will be too rough in the gulf. Just keep in mind all of the things that can go wrong just hauling it there and back. Especially if you do not trailer it long distances on a regular basis.

 

[joebob14]

Re: Taking a pontoon into the gulf - Destin area

The beauty of a pontoon is the way they act just like a bobber. I once met a very large yacht passing in the opposite direction just as he was coming out of a no wake zone. As he hit the throttle a 6ft wall of water moved across the deck of the ole pontoon and soaked everything but the railing kept everyone and everything on board and a couple minutes later the water was gone without even using any pumps. Not the best situation but if I had been in the same size fishing boat it would have been much worse. I go in the gulf and Tampa Bay all the time with no worries other than weather.