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New to Board

Posted: Mon Oct 15, 2018 5:15 am
by Oldchuck
Been around Boats for over 50 years and had far more boats than I care to count. Currently selling a 22 CC that I bought when returned to Central Florida two years ago and looking for a pontoon which serves my lifestyle better at this stage of life. Have mostly done salt water so the CC was what I knew but for the past 6 months been looking hard at Pontoons as I am not busting chop any longer and my wife prefers a peaceful to cruise to getting there fast. Also, on another board serviced by a Pontoon manufacturer but although there are some knowledgable folks on that board, certain things are forbidden when it gets into certain issues the manufacturer does not want discussed. I have found this board to be open to most any topic so here I am...

Re: New to Board

Posted: Mon Oct 15, 2018 7:31 am
by lakerunner
Welcome

Re: New to Board

Posted: Mon Oct 15, 2018 12:17 pm
by Marc K
Welcome, from Texas!

Re: New to Board

Posted: Mon Oct 15, 2018 2:40 pm
by Oldchuck
Thanks for the welcome...

Re: New to Board

Posted: Mon Oct 15, 2018 3:53 pm
by smltooner
Welcome to the club.
We'll talk about anything here.

Re: New to Board

Posted: Tue Oct 16, 2018 1:26 am
by ROLAND
welcome to the forum...pretty much all topics discussed in this forum.

Re: New to Board

Posted: Tue Oct 16, 2018 4:32 am
by Oldchuck
Thanks guys. I like the idea of the board being independenly run for that reason. When boat manufacturers sponsor boards it is easy for the admin to censor certain issues and delete or lock the topics down preventing issues from being discussed. I understand that running an "open" board is not easy and appreciate the effort to keep this board active...

Re: New to Board

Posted: Tue Oct 16, 2018 7:03 am
by wwind3
Welcome! There are as many opinions about toons as there are toons! I personally think most if not all of the newer ones are of decent quality. It really comes down to personal taste, type of usage you plan to use it for, body of water it will be used in etc. If salt water you will want saltwater packages and galvanized trailer , etc. I have no salt water experience in a toon. Will you be in fresh or salt or combo?

If using for fishing get the baddest trolling motor you can afford-toons don't do well in the wind. Good luck!

Oh--and always run rated horsepower--if you get caught in bad weather you will be glad you did.

Re: New to Board

Posted: Tue Oct 16, 2018 10:33 am
by Oldchuck
wwind,
Have mostly boated offshore salt water when young in Florida and 20 years in Alaska. Now I find myself on a freshwater Florida lake and my needs and wants have changed.
I have been looking at a few Benningtons and agree that you can not have too much hp. I have never seen someone complaining about too much power.
Presently, I have a 21.5' CC with a Yamaha 150 with command link, PS and PA. Love the motor and will run 46 with 2 on my CC but my wife does not like running at speed in a boat and it is not that comfortable. Have looked at tritoons with 150-200 hp but have come to realize that I can live with 18-20 cruise and my wife prefers that speed. Spent a fair amount of time sailing in my life so know slow....Don't fish much anymore after Alaska so it is just lower the lift and go for an hour or so cruise and put her up. Have other toys so do not boat as much as I have in the past and just want a comfortable diversion and when folks visit. I don't see more than 5 or 6 folks ever on the boat and mostly just 2 so even something in the 20' range could be fine. Have to keep the overall length a tad less than 24' overall with motor as that is all my touchless will accommodate. Again, given that my boating will be on a fairly rural freshwater lake that is around 10x3 miles do not need a speed machine. Can visit another 4 lakes in our chain but don't see that happening very often and just want something comfortable and well made. As I have said, been around boats for over 50 years but new to pontoons as have never considered them until recently. I have read a lot about them, been on another board for a bit as well as talked to neighbors who have pontoons. It is just about finding what fits us and our needs..

Re: New to Board

Posted: Tue Oct 16, 2018 2:06 pm
by smltooner
I just traded my 11-year-old Sun Tracker for a 2019 Bennington 21SL tritoon with a 150 Yamaha.

It will run 40 mph at WOT, and cruises very nicely at 20-25 mph.

Re: New to Board

Posted: Tue Oct 16, 2018 2:18 pm
by Oldchuck
smitooner,
Sound like a real nice boat. Looked at one similar about a month ago. The tritoons lose very little to a V hull in top speed.
I am sure you will love the boat and love that motor...I am sure it will last for years...

Re: New to Board

Posted: Tue Oct 16, 2018 2:26 pm
by wwind3
Love Alaska-been on the Kenai a couple times--but no great fish stories. Hope to make one more trip---wanta try those 30 inch rainbows on the Kenai. Good luck on the boat search.