what to look for...

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rosser1

Petty Officer 1st Class
Joined
Apr 5, 2009
Messages
360
looking in to buying pontoon boat. need help what to look for. Good and Bad. what to watch for so i don't get a boat that sinks. thanks for ideas and help.
 
5150abf

5150abf

Vice Admiral
Joined
Aug 12, 2007
Messages
5,808
Re: what to look for...

Not much to go wrong with a toon, make sure the floor is solid front to back and look for obvious damage to the tubes although I have seen some pretty big dents that don't leak.

Check wiring under the console too, people do some strange stuff to boats.

Basicly just look for anything that doesn't look right, everything on a toon is right out there so it is hard to hide a problem.
 
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EGlideRider

Lieutenant Junior Grade
Joined
Dec 14, 2008
Messages
1,000
Re: what to look for...

In addition to 5150's advice, do a water test of the engine. If you are unfamiliar with boat motors, pay a competent mechanic to inspect the engine. Often, a pontoon engine is worth more than the boat.

And as you often see here, get the biggest engine you can afford unless you cruise lots of speed restricted areas.
 
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imported_John o

Petty Officer 2nd Class
Joined
Aug 24, 2006
Messages
137
Re: what to look for...

Figure out what YOU want to do with the boat and get one that will do that. While pontoons are incredibly flexible (as per their use) it's much easier to fish off one that was designed to support the fisherman. Know what I mean?

For example, if you don't fish and are only going to be cruising/partying then having fore and aft livewells doesn't really buy you anything. (Although they do make OK coolers). If you are going to fish, then having the live wells is a great thing.

Make sure the boat is registered (in those states where they need to be). Make sure title is clear.
 
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rosser1

Petty Officer 1st Class
Joined
Apr 5, 2009
Messages
360
Re: what to look for...

Thanks guys!! the toon i had looked at was sold, and my back up was way to much$$. I am still looking. I have a bass boat, but wife wants a toon for family outings cause bass boat is find for me and boys, but add wife and daughter, get a little packed, with rods and gear.
 
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lakegeorge

Senior Chief Petty Officer
Joined
Mar 19, 2002
Messages
660
Re: what to look for...

Rosser,

Make sure that the toon has a porta potti, we take our grand daughters out on ours and it really comes in handy. Most toons hane a sun deck that flips up and the potti is under there.
They only cost around $150.00 for an electric one.
Eventually the kids will want to tube so I would also look for one with a larger motor, preferably 90hp or more.

Have fun, Ken
 
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