thinking about a toon

[tashasdaddy]

i considering, sell all my boats (3), except the deck boat. and by a toon. what i want to do is an all around boat. i want the rails to be free of clutter, so i can fish, center console, with front and rear facing furnishings, say 2 love seat size benches. i have a wireless controlled trolling motor for the bow. absolutely no carpet. would need to handle some fairly rough water, 2 -3 ft chop, on a bad day. as i would also like to use it to go to dinner, which is a 7 mile trip across the St Johns River, which can be nice one way and nasty coming back. i know i will probably have to customize what i am wanting, but i've never had a toon, and need advise, as to diameter of toon, length, or should i go for tri-toon. also suggest hp range.

also tow vehicle is a heavy duty Astro Van.

thanks, TD

 

[gbb]

Re: thinking about a toon

I am new to tooning so I can't be much help but go to pontoonstuff.com and ask your question on there forum. Great bunch of people and alot of good info.

 

[rrhodes]

Re: thinking about a toon

Triple tube will handle the chop. I would go at least 25" round or U shape logs.

I can't remember who makes them but i will do some searching. There is a center console toon out there for fishing.

Here is one I found made by Voyager but I know there are others as well. The older bass buggy boats were center console's also. Are you looking at new or used pontoons?

http://www.boatinglifemag.com/boat_inspector/index.html?manufacture=47&boat=2

 

[rrhodes]

Re: thinking about a toon

Found it. South Bay makes one. This is a true center console fishing toon.

http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=1174627714742787713

http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=3182020438206997898&hl=en

There is one for sale right now in FLA.

http://www.usedboats.com/powerboats/2008/23'-ft/south-bay/cc-rider/center-console-open-fisherman-pontoon/outboard/34448/1695458.htm

 

[Silvertip]

Re: thinking about a toon

If you plan on serious fishing from a pontoon, you want what pontoon manufacturers call a "four corner fish". These boats have a pedestal fishing chair in each corner and generally have "U-shaped" seating. Some versions have the bow rail mounted a couple feet back from the edge of the deck so the pedestal seats can be mounted out there without obstructions. I find that quite dangerous since a passing boat can create enough bounce to cause someone to fall overboard since there is nothing to hang onto. More center consoles are showing up but I've not seen many that are really set up for serious fishing (but then I haven't been looking either). If you happen to troll, you definitely don't want lounges, sun decks, and changing rooms at the stern of the boat. I agree 100% on the tri-toon if you need to deal with rough water.

Here's mine. The live well is located behind the lounge. Note that the bow gate also has space to allow it to close with a trolling motor installed. This is the manufacturers picture and I had to modify my gate to raise the lower bar slightly to allow clearance for my troller.

 

[rrhodes]

Re: thinking about a toon

http://www.usedboats.com/powerboats/2008/23'-ft/south-bay/cc-rider/center-console-open-fisherman-pontoon/outboard/34448/1695458.htm

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: thinking about a toon

well the prices, i'm gonna have to convert one. but the
23' ft South Bay CC Rider is a lot like what i want. i've really thought just about a center console and lawn chairs.

 

[KCook]

Re: thinking about a toon

If this is going to be a new 'toon, the smallish builders may be more willing to customize one for you than the big names. Or provide one partially built, for you to finish with your own furnishings.

http://www.fiestaboats.com/fiesta.htm

http://www.sundancerpontoons.com/

http://www.weeres.com/

Kelly

 

[5150abf]

Re: thinking about a toon

Hey TD, You DO NOT want a South Bay, they are horrible badly built boats.

They were Oddesy until about a year ago, we joke in the shop that the boats were so bad they had to chenge their name to keep selling boats.

Take one look at how they attach the tubes to the boat and you will walk away, they use 2 uprights with no center support, what we use for bolt on deck trim, as their brackets and the last one I saw had maybe 12'' of weld holding on a 20' "bracket", not what you want to be taking 2-3' chop on.

Find a Bennington dealer and see what we can do for you, we custom build alot of boats, as long as we can use existing bits to make what you want we are happy to do it.

We do full vinyl floors all the time, I have never seen a CC before but you could have them ship the console loose and install it where ever you wanted.

I had always thought it would be cool to have 3-4 pedistal seats and have multiple basses so you can move the seats wherever you need them .

Not trying to sell you a Bennington just don't think you would like the South Bay , like I said, take a look at how they are built and I think you can make up your own mind.

Good luck.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: thinking about a toon

well, price wish it is going to have to be used, and a project, i thought about the multiple bases last night. the Sun Dance CX 22 FT has a work able layout. look at the floor plans.

 

[Big Bubba]

Re: thinking about a toon

TASHASDADDY,
Yes, you will be happy with a pontoon boat. Back in April of this year I brought me a 1991 LOWES Model 202, 20 footer, with a 1991, 25 horsepower Johnson outboard that ran great just a little under powered so I sold the 25 horsepower for $400.00 and turned around and bought me a 1983 70 horsepower Johnson outboard model J70ELCTD for $750.00 to put on that same pontoon boat and it runs great and is my first time removing, installing, and rigging a motor myself with the help of some neighbors helping me lift the motor onto the pontoon boat transom. All and all this pontoon boat is nice and believe it or not the interior is in outstanding shape no tears rips or anything. It also came with a 2000 year trailer that is in great shape and has the bunk style with guide rollers on it that make it easy to load/unload. I bought it for $3,995.00 and really happy with it. Take care and good luck finding one. I found mine on Craigs listing.

 

[KCook]

Re: thinking about a toon

You can go nutz with fishing seats -

http://boatreviews.needsabeach.com/PHX-08/'07%20Veranda%2022VPF%20pontoon/target2.html

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: thinking about a toon

KCook, believe me i know, i have done many resto. i want plain and simple. not into Bling at all. i have arthritic knees, i prefer a tall butt seat, trying to stand out of and regular seat, to fight that big one, is a real problem.

 

[KCook]

Re: thinking about a toon

For that scenario I've wondered if a CC type leaning post would work as well as a tall butt seat?

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: thinking about a toon

the reason i like the butt seat, and pedistal, is i could put the flush mounting plates in different parts of the boat, and just move pedistal and seat. i also used a combo leaning post/ butt seat, as the seat on my center console boat, work great, and was moveable.

 

[KCook]

Re: thinking about a toon

Fish .... fear this ....