Pontoon Boat & Deck Boat Forum

So the flood waters have gone down and I can water test my potential new boat tomorrow.
This would be my first boat

1984 Lowe pontoon, 18 foot
40hp Evinrude (84 as well)
No trailer

what are some things I should look for on the water test?
- compression test on water
- leaks on toons
-soft spots on deck
-lights work
-how low or high it sits on the water (the water marks in the picture seems to sit well)
-how well the gears shift

Anything else?

Sweet boot. you'll have a blast.

Sounds like you have everything thought out. Enjoy!!! Don't forget the cooler Good Luck with it!!

General operational test. Make sure every system works as it should (steers from hard right to hard left, throttle operates over the entire range etc)

That boat looks very good for its age. The grunge on the toons can easily be cleaned off with NAPA Aluminum Cleaner or with other acid based cleaners available at boat dealerships. Pontoons are not bad to age, but the engines do have a tendency to cause problems after so many years.

First, take the boat out and see if it performs well enough to meet your personal needs. It's a little shorter and lower powered than most popular pontoon boats. Then, make a deal to buy it.

You should have the engine professionally checked out if you're interested in buying it. That means getting the engine up to temperature and checking the compression. You also want to have the lower unit lube drained--checking for any milkiness or water intrusion. A professional marine mechanic also should check the lower unit with a pressure and vacuum test to make sure the seals are good. A boat that has not had the lower unit properly maintained may require a $300 seal replacement. To replace a bad lower unit can run $850-$1100, which at that point you'd just junk the engine.

A little caution often pays off big when you're buying a used pontoon boat.

Me personally? I'd be looking for a 20' minimum length a little newer with 75 hp or more. They're just so much more seaworthy, and they'll get up and run.

15 questions to evaluate before choosing the new boat:

1. What is the beer capacity?
2. Will her top come off easily, or will it require beads?
3. What is the beer capacity?
4. Does she mind if you look at other boats, while riding her through the waves?
5. What is the beer capacity?
6. Will she let you hang out with your last boat?
7. What is the beer capacity?
8. Will it bother you for other guys to ride her?
9. What is the beer capacity?
10. Will she mind if you only see her a couple times a week?
11. What is the beer capacity?
12. Can you ride her hard, in the rain?
13. What is the beer capacity?
14. Is she easily loaded?
15. What is the beer capacity?

Well I bought it. They are putting a new impeller on it (not at my expense) cause it sat for awhile and became brittle . Compression tests checked out at 130+. Gears all switched fine, and the boat moves fast. Had a boating friend, a marina owner and marina mechanic all take a look at it today. All loved it for the price and age.
For the price, it is a good size for me to start and learn with. I am looking to relax and float with it. I don't need a butt load of HP and I don't need to accommodate tons of ppl on it. 5-6 ppl and Ill be good to go. Down the road, im sure I will upgrade. but for now, I am happy with it

katieclooney wrote:Well I bought it. \

Congratulations.... with summer right around the bend you're gonna love having your new boat.... have fun!!!!

Hey Hey, Congrats! I see its got Ill stickers. Where are you located? Maybe we will run into each other, well not literally! We are right on the nose of Eastern Ia.
Doc, you have all the symptoms of.................... A normal Tooner!

Bryden24shp wrote:Hey Hey, Congrats! I see its got Ill stickers. Where are you located? Maybe we will run into each other, well not literally! We are right on the nose of Eastern Ia.
Doc, you have all the symptoms of.................... A normal Tooner!

I am actually on the Chain of Lakes. Northern IL but on the east side of the state

NICE!!! Good luck

Hey, katieclooney, congrats on getting the boat! I'm sure you'll make memories that will last you a lifetime.

Bryden24shp wrote:Doc, you have all the symptoms of.................... A normal Tooner!

Heck, don't y'all see a lot of similarities between the boats and the wives?