Should I buy another boat ?

[ROBBSRACINGENGINES]

I have been dealing with this dilemma since I bought my first pontoon about 5 years ago. Previous to buying a toon I owned many go fast V hull boats. The problem with them was that none were big enough for me to bring friends along and lets face it boating is much more fun with a bunch of your buddies. I decided since few of my friends have boats, and I want to bring some of them along, I would buy a pontoon boat. Its been working out great except for one thing. The majority of my boating is done on a pretty big lake. Its just under 50,000 acres. Anytime I want to go someplace on the lake it takes forever. So much so that most of the time I don't. I hate it. Before owning the toon we used to go all over the lake and I miss it bad. Restaurants, Bars, Stores, Ice cream places, sand bars you know all the good stuff. It's all over the lake. Now I stick to only going a few miles from where we put in. I have been looking into a big motor and strakes for my pontoon. Seems like a good option but the problem is it will cost me more than I can buy a nice used 24' V hull. We have a couple of jet skis we can tour the lake with, but its not the same. I keep flip flopping back and forth between buying another boat for when we want to tour the lake or dropping the big money on a new Etec pontoon 150 and strakes. About 16 grand. Ouch. What have others in my situation done?

[blackberg]

how about buying a big used motor.

I sold one early this year, an optimax 150 for $4500, which is less than $16k

-bb

[evinrude2stroke]

I hear what your saying, Can you fit all your friends on the 24ft Vhull?
Like BB was saying.. you pick up a used motor for half that. But then again after looking at your website it looks like you want to go real fast. Gotta go with your gut.

[jrolin1]

In my case I have the toon and a dual console at the dock. The DC does not have much vinyl and no carpet so it is always ready to go with no cover to put on or take off. I love my toon and the ride is comfortable but the DC gets used during the week for short cruises, tubing, and diving more frequently. The lake I am on is pretty big so the speed helps on the DC.

[Ron Burgundy]

250HP deck boat, speed and lots of seating. Many people here don't like deck boats. I don't understand that. Guess they're too bumpy for some. Hurricane makes nice deck boats.

[ToonGuy]

I always loved the simplicity of a toon and the outboard. But Ron has a point...'glass deck boats are a great option. My buddy has a 24' Hurricane V8-I/O (soon to be for sale) and it seats plenty of people, even has an enclosed head. I gotta say, for a glass boat I was inpressed. The stock 250HP isn't winning many races, but for the $$ it out runs most toons all day long. I guess it just boils down to what you want...

[rbiederwolf]

how fast do you need to go? I picked up a used 2008 Yamaha 150 for 8200. Sold my 115 for 4500. my boat will run 35 mph with 4 people. With 6 or more and fairly loaded down drops to 32mph

Like you said what's the point if you cant fit everyone and be comfy. Tritoon with a big engine is the way to go.Comfort, speed, and can handle poor boating conditions

[ROBBSRACINGENGINES]

All great ideas everyone. I have been looking around for a good late model 150 used OB but they are unbelievably rare up here. I have been looking through out all of New England and there has been nothing good. I have found a couple salty ones with huge hours but that's not what I want. I would imagine I can get $3500 ish for my current Yamaha. So that would be a decent start towards a used OB if I can ever find one.

[Bryden24shp]

Should I buy another boat ?

Yes! Then you can buy some more EzFenders from me!
How are ya liking them so far, Robb?

[ROBBSRACINGENGINES]

Should I buy another boat ?

Yes! Then you can buy some more EzFenders from me!
How are ya liking them so far, Robb?

Sadly I haven't had a chance to use them yet. They are mounted but I have had no time to get out lately. Hopefully this weekend.