Looking at a Pontoon Boat

Gabbie · 01-23-2012, 08:27 AM

We have been thinking of getting a Pontoon boat for a while now. Does anyone else here have one? Do you like it? We've been fishing on one before and there is a lot of room to move around. It's a hard decision to make and not sure if we want to give up our other boat.

Pathfinder1 · 01-23-2012, 08:46 AM

Hi...

Have used one at Ocean City, MD. They are very nice (unless you wanted to go fast). Used it for general lounging, and for crab fishing for lunch.

They have multiple uses...except as a speed boat...and can be lots of fun for your leisure time.

ppine · 01-23-2012, 11:06 AM

Pontoon boats are cheap and have lots of room for a crowd. They are most popular on bass fishing lakes with warm temperatures and warm water. They are not seaworthy and should not be relied upon on big water. They have two stable positions, right side up and upside down.

I have learned with time that a crowd of people is not what I want on my boat. A lot of people like to drink the booze and food and leave their trash. Four is a good maximum number on a boat. The guests are asked to bring some food and drink.

The old adage for live aboard boat people is 6 for drinks, 4 for dinner, and 2 for overnight.

Bumpkin · 01-23-2012, 11:30 AM

I had a pontoon boat on a lake in the northeast and I loved it. It was very roomy and comfortable and I would never invite more people than I felt like dealing with. I did miss the speed factor though.

limaker · 01-23-2012, 03:52 PM

My uncle has one but its not something I ever learned how to get the hang of, for some reason driving one for me is difficult. Any other boat I would attempt though. Have you checked online for local sales in your area or some of the shops?

Grandpa · 01-23-2012, 04:01 PM

Don't know much about pontoon boats but when we were kids, a guy took a couple of war surplus drop tanks, welded them with a deck between and also cut out a place on top of each with a seat so we could set inside. He would leave it tied up at a small reservoir and we would commandere it on lazy afternoons. Had great fun till he found out and started hauling it home after he used it.

DMan · 02-04-2012, 01:01 PM

Sounds like a good leisure type boat. I don't think I'd want to give up my power boat though because it's so much more versatile. We can fish, water ski, or just cruise along and enjoy the day.

rayne · 02-05-2012, 08:28 AM

Two of my neighbors have pontoon boats and I swear, I don't think I have ever seen them out of their yard. From all of the descriptions above, I think I would like to spend some time on one with a fishing pole and glass of wine but I don't think I would like to own one.

Gunny Webb · 02-05-2012, 09:56 AM

Pontoon boats are fine for crusing around. They catch a lot of wind and get blown around if fishing on a windy lake. They are a bear to trailer. You go 10 times year 1, 5 times year 2 and 1 time on year 3. Almost all have outboards and older ones drink gas, the newer ones are a lot better. Due to gas we have now you can't let a boat sit with gas over 4 months. It goes bad and stops up the fuel system. Small motor are worse as they have smaller passages in carburetors. We say if you go boating twice a year, you will have two repair bills a year. I work on boats for a living. It's lot more fun if you can afford to have it at a marina. Just get in and go, tie it up and leave when you return.

wvbreamfisherman · 02-05-2012, 10:23 AM

Not a lot of experience ti Pontoon boats, but one thing I learned in a friend's boat. Be sure to trim them so the bow is lower than the stern! If you don't, you will find that it is impossible to run anywhere close to into the wind. The boat will weathervane on you in a heartbeat.

As mentioned above- great primary stability/ practically no secondary stability they are just as happy to be upside down as right side up.