Pontoon Boats?

[DoggyDaddy]

I agree that for what you want, 24' would be the minimum. We have a 20' Premier Horizon and it's perfect for us, but more than 5 or 6 people starts to get cramped. We have a 40 hp. motor and it will pull a tube, but you're not gonna be doing any aerobatics back there. I believe Premier was started by former Bennington employees. I really want a Bennington. IMHO, those are the Cadillac of pontoons.

 

[BE Mike]

If it floats or flies, it is cheaper to rent than own. Boat is an acronym: Break Out Another Thousand.

 

[red_zr24x4]

Ya know the heats getting to you when you read pontoon as pantaloon

 

[KJQ6945]

Ya know the heats getting to you when you read pontoon as pantaloon

Its the standard attire on a pontoon.

 

[DoggyDaddy]

If it floats or flies, it is cheaper to rent than own. Boat is an acronym: Break Out Another Thousand.

Probably a lot of truth to this.

A couple more that I've heard... "A boat is a hole in the water that you throw money into" and "The day I bought my boat was the second happiest day of my life. The happiest day of my life was the day I sold it."

I don't personally subscribe to these views though. I love being on the water. Always have, and probably always will.

 

[KJQ6945]

Probably a lot of truth to this.

A couple more that I've heard... "A boat is a hole in the water that you throw money into" and "The day I bought my boat was the second happiest day of my life. The happiest day of my life was the day I sold it."

I don't personally subscribe to these views though. I love being on the water. Always have, and probably always will.

I'm with you on this one, I've never been happy about getting rid of a boat. I've had a boat for a lot of years, and God willing, many more.
Boats are just like cars, if it's a piece of ****, you will always be throwing money at it. Get a good one and just maintain it.

 

[pute62]

Buddy of mine had a 28 ft pontoon on Morse lake for a few years. He paid around $650 a season for a dock and then had to have it hauled in and out /stored for an extra amount. Basically,he was limited to one lake the whole time he had the boat. Guess it might be worth thinking about having a trailer or not.

 

[danielocean03]

Thanks for all of the info and suggestions, everyone. The Geist marina offers pontoon rentals, I've considered that if nothing else to get a feel for them and see what size works best. I would definitely have a trailer for it.

 

[KJQ6945]

Thanks for all of the info and suggestions, everyone. The Geist marina offers pontoon rentals, I've considered that if nothing else to get a feel for them and see what size works best. I would definitely have a trailer for it.

Go by some of the dealerships and pick up some of the literature. The brochures will usually show you the floor plans that are available in the size your interested in, and there are endless floor plans. Something to keep in mind about the length of the boat, I had to put up a 30' carport to cover my 22' boat.
If you rent one, keep in mind that, nothing runs like a rental. Most of them are pretty bare bones, underpowered, and beat to death. Good luck in your search.

 

[danielocean03]

I was always told the fastest cars ever made were rentals.

I take it that's not the case with Pontoons.

Thanks for the tip, I plan on stopping in and looking at some dealerships eventually.

 

[churchmouse]

Thanks for all of the info and suggestions, everyone. The Geist marina offers pontoon rentals, I've considered that if nothing else to get a feel for them and see what size works best. I would definitely have a trailer for it.

The last few times we were on Giest it was over run with boats and idiots on personal water carft.
Not my idea of a leisurely place to pontoon

 

[db1959]

You might try dealers website or manufactures website and see if they have a "build your own" program like MasterCraft does.

 

[Coltsfan33]

Also if it's in the budget, consider a 'tritoon' over a pontoon, the overall ride quality is much better.

 

[danielocean03]

Also if it's in the budget, consider a 'tritoon' over a pontoon, the overall ride quality is much better.

I've noticed these around in my research, I'm definitely open to the design. Thanks for the tip!

 

[danielocean03]

You might try dealers website or manufactures website and see if they have a "build your own" program like MasterCraft does.

Is this for a "build kit" or is it more along the lines of a design configurator where you pick the seat layout?

 

[churchmouse]

Also if it's in the budget, consider a 'tritoon' over a pontoon, the overall ride quality is much better.

Ride yes. Takes more Horse Power to propel this design.

 

[danielocean03]

Ride yes. Takes more Horse Power to propel this design.

How many HP would you consider "adequate" on a pontoon? For a twin-tube or a triple-tube?

 

[danielocean03]

This has proved to be a beneficial read:
Pontoon Boat Basics - boats.com

 

[danielocean03]

This would be nice:

 

[danielocean03]

A paltry 900 HP pontoon. That seems like it might "get the job done."