help a noob decide

[rockhound]

Hey all,

I left a hello in the welcome forum also.

I am new to the world of pontoons, but not boating.

This next week or so i will be picking up a new toon, I need a little nudge in the right direction,

I have two ways to go on this. the final decision may be made by whether or not I sell or trade my current boat. The current 19 foot larson is just too small for the family these days so we are looking to go bigger.

requirements for the new boat, must be able to pull the kids on a tube, must seat at least 8, we are considering 2 different 24 foot pontoons, both should be able to handle the job

To be clear, both choices would require some work, I am not afraid of this, I have completely rebuilt two v hulls, and was a custom remodeling contractor for a good part of my life, there is not much i am not capable of replacing or repairing on my own. I have never owned a toon and would like feedback as to which one would be the better choice.

To trade i have been offered a 1997 Riviera Cruiser, 24 foot, 3.0 xl mercruiser powerplant (runs), 135 hp, underskin already in place, good trailer
This is a decent craft, fairly clean, newer carpet, console is in great shape, seat have been replaced, but they don't exactly fit the boat. everything works

Shortlist for this boat:
1. new fence paneling and decals
2. polish the toons
3. new furniture (yeah i know it can be pricey)
4. new bimini
5. new cover
6. lifting strakes or as i saw earlier some of those fancy tap fins that everyone is so fond of


to buy and fix, this thing is a project, there is no doubt about it, i am not afraid of it and in the end i think it would be bad ass
Blue fin Industries, spectrum, 24 foot, pontoon, 90 hp mercury four stroke, motor needs a voltage regulator installed
This pontoon has deep v planing toons on her. Very cool, she also is set up with a 5 foot or so swim deck on the front end which the kids would love.

In a word she needs everything but the hull and decking supports. console could be rebuilt, trailer can be salvaged, but is hammered at the moment

1. polish toons
2. decking/carpet
3. new paneling
3. voltage regulator/rectifer
4. refurbish/replace console
5. all new furniture
6. new prop
7. new bimini
8. new cover
9. new new new

which would you choose? the riviera could be used tomorrow, the cost out of pocket if i sell my boat would be less on the spectrum (love those hulls)

[Heatman]

I like the one in the first picture. Notice the water line in the rear of the toon in the second pic. She sets pretty low. I have never seen logs like that before. Maybe a reason you don't see many of them?

BTW, welcome aboard!

[rockhound]

thanks for the vote, and the welcome.

i have seen a couple of the v toon boats in photos.

i saw a photo today of the houston county search and rescue sold one just like her a few months ago. one in nebrasksa also sold earlier this month. and i saw a place back east looks to be using the same set up to make new boats. the hulls look identical

i agree she sits alot closer to the water, than a standard toon.

she weighs in at 2100, lbs and has all heavy plywood fixtures, i figure she will be 2-300 lbs lighter if i rebuilt her.

the other boat sits pretty low also, i think the biggest difference i see is that the planing hull on the older boat has no supports between the hulls and the deck so passengers etc. sit a lot closer to the water.

The hull is a planing hull rather than a displacement hull, I thought that for pulling a tube or skiers it would handle better.

[Hawk_308]

I like the second one just because its different but I would most likely go with number one just to get on the water .

[rockhound]

I like the second one just because its different but I would most likely go with number one just to get on the water .

i thought they were both kind of different, especially for colorado, I have never seen a pontoon I/O here either.

The second one looks like a catamaran speed boat if you look at just what is below the deck line.

[rockhound]

i found the link to the company that still makes them or something very similar

http://clarkboats.com/custom-boats-and-trailers/

[rockhound]

so the decision for my new boat has been made.

we are trading the runabout that i completely rebuilt two seasons ago for a pontoon. with the four kids and my better half the runabout is just in a word, crowded.

so we are trading this:


for this riviera cruiser

[curtiscapk]

sweet

[ROLAND]

congratulations... one things for sure.. your family will be a whole lot more comfortable..

[badmoonrising]

[rockhound]

thanks, and you are right they will be more comfortable.

and so will i, the runabout is just too tight. constantly stepping on or over someone

she is going to get a renovation, I will post up pics as i work on her.

[curtiscapk]

Don't forget if you use pontoonstuff.com for anything we get 10% off.

[redbeard]

Sweet

[rockhound]

Don't forget if you use pontoonstuff.com for anything we get 10% off.

I already have wishlist saved