Another New Guy

[Lumpia]

Hey folks, just saying, "Hi" from New Mexico. I'm starting to look for a preferably used pontoon. Have been out on quite a few pontoons, like them all. Fished a little from my brothers 18 foot bass buggy, and have done a bit more fishing from a co-workers 24' foot suncruiser. We are wanting to get something between 20 and 24 feet, would prefer a tritoon, but probably going to have to settle for two. Main interest is for fishing with 6-8 people, freshwater only, mainly lake, maybe a little bit of slow river in New Mexico and Arizona. I have found a floor layout that I like, but am open to suggestion.

Here's a picture of a Weeres Sportfish 200, which has just about everything that I would like in a boat, but having problems finding any of them used, at least in my neck of the woods (or desert) in my case.



List of things that are pretty high on the importance list:
1) Full width sun deck across the back. (For a sleeping spot for overnight fishing)
2) Livewell

Once again, open to suggestion, and not in a big hurry to find the right boat.

[mike]

welcome to the site, I have rear fishing seats and they get used all the time! just a thought but it sure makes life easier to have access to both rear corners of your toon. Good luck in your search, what price are you shooting for?

[Lumpia]

As cheap as possible, but willing to spend what I have to get what what fits if that makes sense. Hence why I would prefer a used one, we aren't rolling in the dough haha.

I looked at a lot of rear fishing setups, but would prefer to have the full width sun deck. I never liked them until I start going out on my friend's suncruiser, full width rear sundeck makes an awesome boat bed for a guy who's 6'4". Now when I go out, I fish off the rear sundeck anyways, but I'm not having to drive the boat either. The sundeck on their suncruiser folds up and back, so you can still get to the motor and all other necessary functions at the back of the boat.

We are still a long ways out from pulling the trigger on a buy, but just trying to keep my options open, and not get tunnel vision.

If I found the right project boat, I would get it as well. I'm not afraid to do a lot of the work myself, and would probably prefer it so that I can get things set up the way I want.

Thank you for the timely response, I look forward to hearing more from you folks.

[MIKEYLIKESIT]

i have the 18' bass buggy too. i'm thinking about building a sun deck on the back of mine. doesn't look like it will be hard. good luck in your search.

not mine, but a good rear shot.

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[lakerunner]

What you want is out there and just a matter of time to find it. Most newer have the rear entry and ladder.

Welcome and keep us informed

[Lumpia]

Thanks for the welcomes.

That Bass Buggy is almost identical to the one my brother had and sold. You didn't buy that from a guy in Arizona did ya? haha.

And I know what I'm looking for is out there, just a matter of finding it. If I were to compromise to a rear entry boat, it would probably be a G3 228 FC.

I have a lot of patience when it comes to this kind of thing, and we are a ways out from buying anyways. Have to have a truck to move the boat with 1st, and my lil off road Toyota isn't going to cut it I'm afraid.

[MIKEYLIKESIT]

cool! wheeler too huh? me too, well sort of. i still have the bronco, just don't really get out anymore.

[Lumpia]

Well, kind of a wheeler. I wheel to hunt and fish where not everyone in a Ford Escort can drive to. Have an 85 4 Runner on 33's with 2 air lockers, hehe, it does what I need it to do.... for now. It just can't tow a toon.

[dockholiday]

Welcome..... check boatrader online. You can check an see what is in your area an what they are going for. http://www.boattrader.com/

[MIKEYLIKESIT]

Well, kind of a wheeler. I wheel to hunt and fish where not everyone in a Ford Escort can drive to. Have an 85 4 Runner on 33's with 2 air lockers, hehe, it does what I need it to do.... for now. It just can't tow a toon.

ok, a 4runner on 33's and locked up can get to places a tank couldn't go! i used to wheel an 86 runner.

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this is what i have now. i guess you can tell that i wheel for fun. although i have slowed down a lot in the last year.

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[Lumpia]

I've taken it easy lately, had a transfer case seize up at 60 on the highway. Wife was driving and I was asleep in the passenger seat, talk about a wakeup call.

Here's a few pictures of the aftermath:

Stepdown gear that now steps down and to the side.


Here's the top of the transfer case housing:


I got to put my awesome pick-up sticks technique to good use, for a quarter mile down the highway:


This is looking from the drivers side rear tire forward to the back of the Transmission and transfer case:


And I thought it was just the transfer case, but when I got it home, it took part of the transmission with it:


1 R151 Tranny and 23-spline transfer case down the drain

Its all back together now, has a little vibration above 65, but I think it's a combination of 33 x 12.5 x 15 tires and a solid transmission mount.

Oh, and places a tank can't go are places people can't get in a Ford Escort.

[ROLAND]

Lumpia... first, welcome to the group... I think you'll find this a great place to interact with "tooners" who have a wealth of knowledge on these boats.... As far as recommendations, you said you wanted something 20 to 24 feet that would accommadate 6 to 8 people. I've got a 20 footer and to be honest with you, 8 people would be pushing it. 6 would be the most I'd put out there, not because of safety, but because of comfort...8 or more and you'll be cramped on a 20 footer.... I would suggest at least a 22 footer ( i'm talking about actual length of deck and that can be a bit confusing, my 20 footer has a deck that is actually only 18 feet ). However the G3 208 deck is actually 20 feet long, so either that boat or the g3 228fc might be good selections. I came very close to buying the g3 208F... liked that boat alot, but reasons too numerous to mention here, I ended up buying a bennington instead.... If you're planning to do alot of fishing off the boat I would HIGHLY recommend a vinyl deck instead of carpet... we went with vinyl and love it... just think about all the mess with bait dropping, fish, etc... with vinyl you just hose it off, and once every 3 or 4 trips just throw alittle car wash soap on the deck, quick scrub down with a long handle brush, hose it off and she's good as new.... Good luck with your boat search.