What to know when buying or owning a pontoon - 1st time pontoon purchase???

[cin3000]

I am looking at a 1989 24' Grumman pontoon this weekend. It comes with a 1990 90hp Evinrude, grill, bimini and scissor trailer. I'm 99.9% sure I will buy it but need some advice on what I need to look for before I decide to buy it AND if I do buy it...what do I need to know? My boyfriend and I will be meeting the seller at a lake and will be launching it to test drive it. We will be using a 4-door 2011 Chevy Colorado with an inline 5 cyl engine.

My father had a fishing boat growing up and I've driven and helped load/unload that boat so I'm familar with those types of things but need to know what's different about pontoons vs. boats.
We will not be putting this pontoon in a slip but will be hauling it (the boat landing is 4 blocks away) every time we use it. Will a tarp be sufficient for covering it when not in use over the summer? Are there any steps we need to do after bringing it home from a day on the river? The seller is including a 1-person tube with it so what do I need to know about pulling a tube?
Any other advice/tips/recommendations are greatly appreciated.

Sorry to sound like an uneducated person in this area, but I've never owned a pontoon and just want to be prepared for our potential upcoming purchase.

 

[Water logged]

Re: What to know when buying or owning a pontoon - 1st time pontoon purchase???

Welcome to the forum cin3000. Sounds like you have found the boat you want. Your boyfriend should be sure he is there to help launch and recover the boat and should be prepared to ask questions about the procedures. It's great that you are getting a test run before purchase, many people don't. I have a similar truck, Colorado extended cab, 5cyl engine, 4X4 aand it tows my 24' SunTracker just fine. One thing you need to know is that the pontoon does not drive like a fishing boat. It will be heavilly influenced by the wind, will be diiferent to dock, not harder, just different. I have a fitted cover, not sure about a tarp. I'm sure you will hear more from others on the forum. Good luck with the purchase, I hope it turns out to be a great boat.

Glenn

 

[SEMPERFI8387]

Re: What to know when buying or owning a pontoon - 1st time pontoon purchase???

Couple important things.
1. Inspect the tubes and all welds for cracks or damage.
2. Check the decking for rot.
3. Inspect seat bases for rotting wood (if not fiberglass)
4. Inspect trailer well for rust or cracked welds.
5. Inspect inside of fuel tank for signs of deterioration (ethanol fuel is horrible if its a fiberglass tank)
6. Test all electrics, trim, fuel gauges, navigation/anchor lights, etc....

Smitty

 

[upstatematt]

Re: What to know when buying or owning a pontoon - 1st time pontoon purchase???

For sure check the decking, I was worried when I was looking around that I'd have to replace a deck which can be quite a chore. I would not use a tarp unless you put something between the tarp and the seats. I have a black fitted top with poles that keep it elevated for mine and in the spots it touches the seats, it leaves a green color from the extreme heat of the sun making the color bleed. Our boat came with hookers, poles with hooked ends to grab docks with and I didn't know what they were for until I tried to park it, because as water logged mentioned, the wind really affects the boat while trying to dock. If you can make sudden low speed stops while trailered to listen for water in the toons sloshing around. I would ask how he hooked up the tube he was pulling just so you know how. Some people pull with 1 tube, or have hooks on the transom, I ended up buying a pulley system hooked to both tubes to distribute the weight of the tube. I think only extra steps when coming in from boating is really making sure it's tied down well because it's crazy how much the wind can push a pontoon. I'm new too, but really love owning a pontoon. Good luck!

 

[Tony T.]

Re: What to know when buying or owning a pontoon - 1st time pontoon purchase???

All statements above are good questions to ask, also I would ask seller how long has it been since the water pump (impeller) has been changed out. I believe most boat motor mechanics suggest every two years to replace water pump. Also a compression test on the cylinders wouldn't be a bad idea to.

Tony

 

[Bamaman1]

Re: What to know when buying or owning a pontoon - 1st time pontoon purchase???

Before buying this age boat, I'd suggest you pay a dealership to run a compression test on the engine and a pressure test on the lower unit. You don't want to buy a worn out engine or worn out lower unit. Both are very expensive to replace/repair.

If it all checks out mechanically, first thing I'd do is inspect and repack the axle bearings. You don't want any surprises.

 

[SEMPERFI8387]

Re: What to know when buying or owning a pontoon - 1st time pontoon purchase???

For sure check the decking, I was worried when I was looking around that I'd have to replace a deck which can be quite a chore. I would not use a tarp unless you put something between the tarp and the seats. I have a black fitted top with poles that keep it elevated for mine and in the spots it touches the seats, it leaves a green color from the extreme heat of the sun making the color bleed. Our boat came with hookers, poles with hooked ends to grab docks with and I didn't know what they were for until I tried to park it, because as water logged mentioned, the wind really affects the boat while trying to dock. If you can make sudden low speed stops while trailered to listen for water in the toons sloshing around. I would ask how he hooked up the tube he was pulling just so you know how. Some people pull with 1 tube, or have hooks on the transom, I ended up buying a pulley system hooked to both tubes to distribute the weight of the tube. I think only extra steps when coming in from boating is really making sure it's tied down well because it's crazy how much the wind can push a pontoon. I'm new too, but really love owning a pontoon. Good luck!

So it's a party boat eh .........

 

[Silver Eagle]

Re: What to know when buying or owning a pontoon - 1st time pontoon purchase???

Go to Lowes or Home Depot, they have the kind of tarps you want to use. cover the boat flat.,no poles. jack the boat up or down so the water will flow to the lower end.Punch a small hole in the cover so the water will drain out.That's what I do.