Pontoon Boat & Deck Boat Forum

I'll be looking for a pontoon or tritoon and I thought I'd come here for advice from those that actually know boats. I've been reading a lot but don't always find the answers I'm looking for.

Intended use will be primarily for my family of four with varying interests. I see a typical weekend trip for us being towing the boat to a lake that's about hour away. Spending the hot hours of the days doing some sort of towing activity (have two boys, 11 and 13). Cool hours of morning/evening fishing. And possibly camping overnight on the boat. So yeah, pontoon/tritoon with good power right?

I don't buy any major purchase that depreciates new as a rule so this will be coming from the used market so I'll be limited by what I can find. Most of the floor plan layouts I've seen that I like seem to hit right about 24'. I know I can fit that in our shed for protected storage. I've seen a few at 26' I like too but I wonder if that's getting too big for a number of reasons. Is that getting so big that towing isn't practical? How big can you go and still have fun with the towing sports? And I'm going to have to get very specific measurements to see if one will still fit in our shed. Every once in a while I'll see a 22' one come up that looks good to me but I feel like we'll feel cramped.

As far as power goes, it looks to me like 150hp is where people start saying they can do what want to, but everyone always wants more of course. 150hp a good 'line in the sand' for what I want to do? I see a lot of people saying they really like 4 stroke. What's the deal on that? Is it just that people don't like mixing the oil for 2 stroke or is there something more to it?

I really like the setup I've seen from those that have enclosures, at least in regards to overnight. I rarely see one for sale that has an enclosure listed in the ad though. I'm figuring to budget for adding a custom enclosure after purchasing. At least that we I'd get one that's exactly like I wanted. But will probably try to use the boat without an enclosure first see if I really need it/worth the cost.

I will be hiring someone to inspect the boat for me. I know my knowledge of boats is way too limited to even try to handle that part myself. So here I'm looking more for finding the right kind of boat, and perhaps what to look for in the 'expert'.

I know tritoons are the favorites for a variety of reasons but they are expensive. I might have to do a conventional pontoon. Problem?

Thanks in advance.

I am as far as you could get from an expert! But as someone who researched for several years before just recently buying my toon, I have some perspectives from my first 3 months of ownership that might help.

1. I looked and looked and looked and looked for that used one or two year old toon that had what I wanted and was significantly cheaper than a new one, but I could never find it. So I ended up buying an end of year, leftover closeout and feel like I got everything I wanted at a good price. I hate buying new also, but I ended up doing it because I had worked with the dealer for months and I trusted and liked them.

2. Over the years of looking, I constantly kept trying to talk myself into a 115hp to save money, but I got the 150hp and I am so glad that I did. After a week, I started wanting a 200hp. I'm sure others can relate.

3. I am also so glad I got the tritoon. It sits high in the water, is stable, and we get some nice waves on our lake. I say it's like Deadliest Catch out there on a Saturday, which is a slight overstatement...

4. I am so glad I went with the pontoon in general, I looked at everything, but hearing all my friends and the mechanical issues they have with their cruisers and wake boats, the pontoon is just simpler, so much less to go wrong and handles the waves so much better, you don't get beat to death on a long day.

5. On the length, I wanted a 22, ended up with a 24 and it can be a bear to slip in the wind, I have to admit. I have no experience trailering, so I can't help you there. I think a 22 would have been perfect for us and a touch faster, but this was a compromise I had to make. But the 24 is nice with me, the wife and both girls and a couple of friends, lots of room.

6. My typical weekend is pulling a tube some, parking in coves, floating and letting the kids play, then sundown, dinner and home. I never thought I would want to sleep on a boat, until I had one for a week, now it's all I think about. So, I am looking at some type of tent or enclosure also.

Anyway, hope this is helpful.

Never heard anyone say "man I bought too big of a motor for my pontoon" 150 should be adequate, my 135 does it for me. I personally would never have another two log boat! Period!

You have two boys that will love water sports. The way you tow them will change with their age and enthusiasm. Purchase a boat that will keep up with them. I would for sure get nothing smaller than a 150, I would get nothing but a Tri Toon for towing. They drive like a hull boat. Just my opinion, but I think the two toons will be phased out accept for lower end pontoon boats.

Based on your description, at a minimum, I would do the following:

22-24'
Tri-toon
At least a 150hp

We looked for months at used boats. Pretty much the sellers were selling their boats for almost the same as new. The big difference though was the size of the motor. In our area it was difficult to find a 22' with 115 hp. For a few thousand more we got the warranties and all the accessories we wanted.

I agree, I was looking for used, had no intention of buying new. not only were they difficult to find, the prices were very close to new. If you don't get screwed on the purchase the depreciation won't be like most cars. also it is "in my opinion" worth a little to get the exact layout you want with the exact options. this is a purchase that if you don't buy what you want up front, you will either trade it and feel any depreciation, or be pissed at yourself for not doing it when you had the chance. also if you are financing at all you may actually pay less for a new boat. just something to think about.

I totally agree with Ron. You might want to post where you're from. Maybe some members can suggest a dealer or two.

As far as your question about 2 stroke versus 4...here's some good info:

http://www.gameandfishmag.com/fishing/h ... at-engine/

Thanks for the replies thus far. Since it was mentioned, will not be financing. Also, I live in Abilene, TX.

Financing is why the price of used boats stays so high, I don't know how it is in the USA but up here in the great white north they will finance your boat over 20 years. So of course thats what everyone does, they finance a $50k boat over 20 years and only pay $150 every 2 weeks for it, but in 5 years when they are ready to sell or upgrade they still owe $48000 so the bank won't let them sell for less (due to liens) so they have to ask high prices or trade it in on a newer boat and go upside down on the trade and just add it to the new payment over another 20 years...

There are more experts on here than you can count...lol
Look my friend, what works for one doesn't for another. Whether you get a medium large or friggin huge motor, two three or 40 logs, this brand or that brand. It's your money. No body else's. What the rest think doesn't mean shit. We aren't driving it or paying for it. Get what YOU want. Ask yourself this question...How am I going to want to use it? Am I gonna spend majority of time cruising? Anchored up in a cove swim in, sunbathing amd listenin to the tunes? Or am I gonna be running wide open pulling tubes all day? Am I more concerned with being adequately powered or am I looking for a speed boat? What is my water? Big lake , big waves or smaller lake with calmer waters? Am I gonna drag it or slip it?
Answer these questions and that will tell you what direction you should take. Only you know the answers. There are no wrong answers just YOUR answers.
I personally have a 22 ft two log boat with a 115 Yamaha. For what we use it for which is 85% cruising , swimmin and hanging out and a little bit of tubing. My set up works great for ME. I didn't buy the damned thing to blast across the water at 45 miles an hour. But then again that's ME. I paid cash for it so I bought what I felt was right for me and not one penny more. I'm happy. It will run 30 miles an hour wide ass open with 4 people and full of fuel. I'm good with that. Majority of time we are running 12-16 m.p.h. Perfect. May not get me in the cool kids club , but the cool kids club didn't write the check and have their names on my title..lol

Again, it's all depending on how you answer those questions. Once you do, your direction will be clear. Best of luck and welcome to the asylum!!!!!!

tbmguy wrote:Thanks for the replies thus far. Since it was mentioned, will not be financing. Also, I live in Abilene, TX.

1st there has been a lot of flooding and a lot of boats damage from the storm make sure not get get one that got damage. I see your close to DFW.
2nd I went from a bow rider 18' to a 22 foot tritoon with 150 I can pull a tuber with 8 people on. and still get good speed. Buy once and go with 22-24 tritoon with 150. If you can find one with a tow bar that is a plus. I still need to add one.
3rd make sure you have a top to get out of the sun. and a bathroom is a must.
Good luck and finding a boat. If you find one post it here.

Soonertoon wrote:There are more experts on here than you can count...lol
Look my friend, what works for one doesn't for another. Whether you get a medium large or friggin huge motor, two three or 40 logs, this brand or that brand. It's your money. No body else's. What the rest think doesn't mean shit. We aren't driving it or paying for it. Get what YOU want. Ask yourself this question...How am I going to want to use it? Am I gonna spend majority of time cruising? Anchored up in a cove swim in, sunbathing amd listenin to the tunes? Or am I gonna be running wide open pulling tubes all day? Am I more concerned with being adequately powered or am I looking for a speed boat? What is my water? Big lake , big waves or smaller lake with calmer waters? Am I gonna drag it or slip it?
Answer these questions and that will tell you what direction you should take. Only you know the answers. There are no wrong answers just YOUR answers.
I personally have a 22 ft two log boat with a 115 Yamaha. For what we use it for which is 85% cruising , swimmin and hanging out and a little bit of tubing. My set up works great for ME. I didn't buy the damned thing to blast across the water at 45 miles an hour. But then again that's ME. I paid cash for it so I bought what I felt was right for me and not one penny more. I'm happy. It will run 30 miles an hour wide ass open with 4 people and full of fuel. I'm good with that. Majority of time we are running 12-16 m.p.h. Perfect. May not get me in the cool kids club , but the cool kids club didn't write the check and have their names on my title..lol

Again, it's all depending on how you answer those questions. Once you do, your direction will be clear. Best of luck and welcome to the asylum!!!!!!

First gotta shout out a hearty Boomer to a fellow Sooner.

But I gotta say I think you missed the point of my post. I think I know what I want to do. I don't know enough about boats to know what I need to be able to do what I want to do. That's where I'm looking for advice, thoughts, and experiences. Hoping to find others who do the same and what their experiences are. I will say I don't feel any need or desire to go faster than what is necessary to pull someone on skis except perhaps to have a bit of a buffer for when there's more with us than what I see as usual. I don't care about wowing people with my speed or the fanciness of the boat. Just what is needed to make my family happy for the next several years. That's why I said I get that bigger is always desired in the engine but I'm wanting to know what I should consider a cuttoff point to do what I want. And that's more or less the thoughts regarding the rest of the questions.

I will say that WAF is very important right out of the gate. She needs to like that first trip out or there will never be a good one...

I like that you're happy with your two logger. They sure seem to run a lot cheaper. Which would mean I could use more money on creature comforts for that WAF.

And I do get that everyone's advice will be clouded by their own preferences/budgets/needs. I think I can filter through that. Particulalry if I get a lot of advice.

greghvac wrote:

tbmguy wrote:Thanks for the replies thus far. Since it was mentioned, will not be financing. Also, I live in Abilene, TX.

1st there has been a lot of flooding and a lot of boats damage from the storm make sure not get get one that got damage. I see your close to DFW.
2nd I went from a bow rider 18' to a 22 foot tritoon with 150 I can pull a tuber with 8 people on. and still get good speed. Buy once and go with 22-24 tritoon with 150. If you can find one with a tow bar that is a plus. I still need to add one.
3rd make sure you have a top to get out of the sun. and a bathroom is a must.
Good luck and finding a boat. If you find one post it here.

Thank you for the advice in avoiding flooded boats. Would never have thought of that, lol. And yeah, the Dallas/Ft Worth metroplex would be in my wide search area since there really isn't a lot out here in west Texas. I would hope that an inspection from a reputable boat tech would discover a boat that flooded, would it not?

I would not give up your hope of finding a decent buy on a used boat, either. They may not be easy to find, but they do come up.