Chesapeake Bay Use of Pontoon
Moderators: Redneck_Randy, badmoonrising, lakerunner
Chesapeake Bay Use of Pontoon
First off new member here, new to pontoon boats. Have allot of boating background but have only been on a pontoon once. We will be inheriting my father in-laws pontoon. The boat is a 25 footer. Have boated the Chesapeake Bay from the South River to Baltimore Harbor mostly and add in Eastern Bay but don't recall seeing many pontoons out there. Will be returning from overseas in 18 months and want to use the pontoon until I replace my other boat. So if you use your pontoon in the bay let's hear how it does.
I will also be using it down at Ocean City in the back bay area and they seem to do really well there but if you use one there lets hear how they do there also.
Thanks,
Rednek
I will also be using it down at Ocean City in the back bay area and they seem to do really well there but if you use one there lets hear how they do there also.
Thanks,
Rednek
- badmoonrising
- Site Admin
- Posts: 10066
- Joined: Fri Mar 30, 2007 7:04 pm
- Location: Chesapeake City, Maryland
Re: Chesapeake Bay Use of Pontoon
I'm in the Upper Bay (Chesapeake City). Lots of pontoons up this way due to the many dealers up here that sell them. As long as you watch the weather and plan your trips, check wave heights expected you'll do fine. We got caught in a squall once and survived 6 ft, waves, lol.
My rule is: Under 10 knot winds (perfect conditions)
12-15 knots: Stay out of the bay's mainstem.
15-20: Head into a protected cove.
Above 20, stay at the marina
My rule is: Under 10 knot winds (perfect conditions)
12-15 knots: Stay out of the bay's mainstem.
15-20: Head into a protected cove.
Above 20, stay at the marina
Ed, Cheryl, Ethan and Aspen.
2013 Sun Tracker Party Barge 22 w/90 HP Mercury, "Hellrhighwater 2"
2014 E-350 Extended XLT.
Chesapeake City ,MD
2013 Sun Tracker Party Barge 22 w/90 HP Mercury, "Hellrhighwater 2"
2014 E-350 Extended XLT.
Chesapeake City ,MD
- badmoonrising
- Site Admin
- Posts: 10066
- Joined: Fri Mar 30, 2007 7:04 pm
- Location: Chesapeake City, Maryland
Re: Chesapeake Bay Use of Pontoon
Here ya go, pics of the day we got caught in that squall
viewtopic.php?f=5&t=2214&p=13401&hilit= ... ugh#p13401
viewtopic.php?f=5&t=2214&p=13401&hilit= ... ugh#p13401
Ed, Cheryl, Ethan and Aspen.
2013 Sun Tracker Party Barge 22 w/90 HP Mercury, "Hellrhighwater 2"
2014 E-350 Extended XLT.
Chesapeake City ,MD
2013 Sun Tracker Party Barge 22 w/90 HP Mercury, "Hellrhighwater 2"
2014 E-350 Extended XLT.
Chesapeake City ,MD
Re: Chesapeake Bay Use of Pontoon
i had forgotten about those pics. wow.
2003 Premier Grand Majestic 250 PTX Honda 225 OB (PTX baby!)
2002 MasterCraft X30
2007 Yamaha FX HO Cruiser
2005 Kawasaki SXR800
2004 Yamaha SuperJet
1989 Kawasaki 650sx
Lewis Smith Lake, Alabama
2002 MasterCraft X30
2007 Yamaha FX HO Cruiser
2005 Kawasaki SXR800
2004 Yamaha SuperJet
1989 Kawasaki 650sx
Lewis Smith Lake, Alabama
-
- Posts: 2916
- Joined: Thu Nov 06, 2008 7:32 pm
- Location: Lake Oconee, Ga.
Re: Chesapeake Bay Use of Pontoon
Welcome
A lot has to do with the size (diameter) of your toons. Most of the newer boats have larger diameter than older ones. Being 25 ft should help.
Personally, I don't have much experience with big water, the lakes here in Ga. are just large enough to float your boat.
doc
A lot has to do with the size (diameter) of your toons. Most of the newer boats have larger diameter than older ones. Being 25 ft should help.
Personally, I don't have much experience with big water, the lakes here in Ga. are just large enough to float your boat.
doc
Dying ain't much of living boy
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=pl ... gm-sp1-Nhs
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=pl ... gm-sp1-Nhs
Re: Chesapeake Bay Use of Pontoon
Tri-toon helps a lot as well. Does the boat have 2 or 3 logs on it?
Re: Chesapeake Bay Use of Pontoon
The boat has 2 toons, it is about 5 years old. Have only been on it once so I don't remember the brand. It has a 130 or 150 Hp Johnson on it if I remember correctly. The toons seemed to be larger than what I remember on older models. I would think that the waves on the Bay are 2 to 3 foot or less and there shouldn't be too much issue out there with a pontoon. I have been out there when it was like glass and have also been in storms where the waves were larger than I cared for. I would assume with a pontoon boat that head or following seas would be best, not sure how they handle beam to seas.
Rednek
Rednek
- badmoonrising
- Site Admin
- Posts: 10066
- Joined: Fri Mar 30, 2007 7:04 pm
- Location: Chesapeake City, Maryland
Re: Chesapeake Bay Use of Pontoon
'toons don't like getting hit from the sides at all.... I try to approach large waves at an angle.
Ed, Cheryl, Ethan and Aspen.
2013 Sun Tracker Party Barge 22 w/90 HP Mercury, "Hellrhighwater 2"
2014 E-350 Extended XLT.
Chesapeake City ,MD
2013 Sun Tracker Party Barge 22 w/90 HP Mercury, "Hellrhighwater 2"
2014 E-350 Extended XLT.
Chesapeake City ,MD