Pontoon Boat Info

[vermilionfox]

O.K. Here goes guys. My wife wants to change boats, and get a new one. Normally no problem for me!! But, she wants to get a pontoon boat. She's tired of climbing in and out of the deep V. This will have to work for all fishing, and also for taking kids and grandkids on cruises. So we've been beating the bushes looking at boats. We're looking to stay in the 20 to 24 foot range with four fishing seats, and stick with a two stroke like an Opti, or a Yamaha in the 90 to 115 range.

I'm looking for pros and cons on the boats use for fishing, motor recommendations, trailer recommendations, and brand recommendations. Appreciate anyone's and everyone's input!

[Valv]

I can't say much for brands, but if you will travel a lot DO NOT buy a scissor style trailer, get a bunk style, where both pontoons slide on V bunks, stability is much better and they travel down the road with no problem.

Scissor style are great for non frequent trips and they will list boat from ground up, but being narrow, it will rock it too much and make it uncomfortable to tow.

[delcecchi]

buddy of mine bought a Premier, like a 22 or 24, from Wilson's in cook. 70 hp Suzuki. Slick rig. And if you keep the boat on the lake they will come get it in the fall and put it back in the spring. Price was competitive. Trade the charge for pickup for the price of a trailer.

[Surface Tension]

What ever brand you buy, boat control is going to be a concern. I'd mount a Auto Pilot on the bow for the calm days. Your going to need a drift anchor to slow you troll down on the days you use the outboard. Having a large and high profile, cross winds can be challenging. If you use the drift sock up front on the windward side while trolling, it'll help to keep you on track. You can also use the bow mount to pull the bow into the wind, the Auto Pilot works good for that. Anchor mates mounted on a pedestal on the bow and stern of a pontoon keep things neat and out of the way. Anchor weight is an issue with the mates so I'd substitute the mushroom anchors on the bow with a digging type.

Rod holders are something else your going to need, Take a look at DriftMasters

A bait well and live well on a pontoon is a must IMO.

As Val said the bunk trailer supports the boat at the pontoons and is quite a bit more stable then the dolly trailer.

If you choose a larger outboard it'll most likely come with trim and tilt, a must on a pontoon boat.

Protect you investment and get a good cover.

[Cliff Wagenbach]

Valv and Surface Tension hit all of the high point with their reccomendations.

The pontoon boat is going to make it much harder to controll your speed and direction when it comes to fishing rigs or jigs though!

I have guided clients on pontoons a few times and was not to happy with the results on most outings!

I was supprised though with the fact that under the right conditions where I could drift mud or sand flats using lindy rigs we did quite well!

What really supprised me was that the pontoon drifted much slower in a wind then I thought it would. As long as I kept it sideways to the wind the drag from the two pontoon floats actually seemed to slow us down! If you had the caonpy up I suspect that just the opposite would be true!

Great boat for slip bobbering or pitching jigs from if you can get the anchors to hold in the wind.

I would keep your fishing boat too if that is possible! That way when you fish alone you will still be able to fish your regular hot spots!

Good Fishing!

Cliff

[marine_man]

Everyone so far have made good points...

They're a great family boat.. that's for sure. On a hot day there are few things better than anchoring in a shallow bay and fishing, bbq'ing, etc to pass the warm summer day.

I'd look into Bennington pontoons... they make a great pontoon and their fit and finish is second to none... They're so particular about how the pontoon arrives at the dealer that they put bed sheets over all the upholstery to make sure it arrives in pristine condition.

In regard to trailers, if you're going to be trailering it more than two or three times a year I'd definitely go with a bunk trailer as Valv recommended... they're much more stable than the scissor lift trailer.

marine_man

[vermilionfox]

marine man,

I looked at Bennington's last weekend. Overall the boat looked real nice. There were a couple of things that bothered me, one was a flimsy looking trim piece on the helm, the other was their corrugated (that's for lack of a better word) railings. The railings look like they'd be hard to keep clean. Otherwise it's one solid boat!!

Don't even get me started on the one-who-thinks-I-am-silly salesman there though (not an employee of Bennington!!!)! According to him the Optimax was no more...the feds made Merc yank that dirty old two stroke right off the market before it did any more harm to the environment!!

Thanks for all the info guys, keep it coming!

[vermilionfox]

Hi Everyone!

Just wanted to let you all know we put money down on a boat yesterday.

It's a brand new 2004 (still in the factory shrink wrap) 22 foot Crest Family Fisherman. It's going to have a 115 hp 4 stroke Johnson on it. I found it on the internet, it's been shrink wrapped at the dealer and they haven't been able to sell it. Got a great deal! $8000 less than a local 2005 (new) leftover!

I have to pick it up in Wisconsin, but I think it's worth the drive!

Thanks to everyone for their input!

[cold one sd]

Quote:

---

marine man,

I looked at Bennington's last weekend. Overall the boat looked real nice. There were a couple of things that bothered me, one was a flimsy looking trim piece on the helm, the other was their corrugated (that's for lack of a better word) railings. The railings look like they'd be hard to keep clean. Otherwise it's one solid boat!!

Don't even get me started on the

one-who-thinks-I-am-silly

salesman there though (not an employee of Bennington!!!)! According to him the Optimax was no more...the feds made Merc yank that dirty old two stroke right off the market before it did any more harm to the environment!!

Thanks for all the info guys, keep it coming!

---

The Optimax will be around for a long, long,long,long time. What planet do think this jerk was from.

[marine_man]

Glad to hear you found something you like vermilionfox...

Cold one SD - another salesman that could use an education.. merc doesn't offer any more straight 2 stroke motors anymore.. only DFI & 4 strokes...

marine_man