Pontoon Boat & Deck Boat Forum

I’ve been a long time lurker as my 1970’s SS Swallows Ghetto build was a wondrous sample run into pontoon ownership.
A friend desperately wanted it, so I sold it to him as no one will appreciate that old ghetto thing more than him. So then, I was toon-less. Sad. (Though I never had to store it for the winter)

So I had high hopes of finding another junker to bah-ha around the local North Dakota lakes with, but due to the ‘Rona, cheap boats got SXPENSIVE. Even I won’t pay $8k for a moldy torn-up 2 stroke.

So we went a-shopping, and I had two options. Take my $15000 play money savings, and pay towards the house and be a financially mature responsible adult,
Or go full-retard and buy a boat.

So I’d like to introduce the 2021 Sylvan Cruise and Fish.
Sporting a 90hp yammie I know nothing about, should be able to pick it up in about 2 weeks.
Accessory recommendations? Requirements? Do new boats come with all the basic safety stuff or do I gotta add that first?
I humbly request humoring for at least 2 weeks.

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wow!!!!!!!!!!! You don't play around!!!!!!!!! nice!

I fully support the responsible and wise decision to get the boat lol. We did the same thing rebuilt and enjoyed for years and then went all in. As long as you use it enough new boats are great! Last year we looked geniuses with our boating lifestyle lol .

Our boat came with a full safety pack , but we transferred a bunch of stuff from the old one as well. After a couple outings you'll be at home on the new craft! Congrats again and post pics when you float her!!!

Congratulations on your new pontoon boat... great looking rig and I for one think you will love your yamaha. I've got a small 75 horse 4 stroke on the back of my pontoon .. bought it new with the boat in 2009 and really am happy with it. You have shown yourself to be someone who is first and foremost, a fiscally responsible adult. I speak from experience. In the fall of 2009 my wife and I were sitting on the dock of a local lake fishing and talking about buying a boat.. specifically we were talking about buying a 10 year old jon boat with maybe a 15 or 25 hp motor on it so we could get out on the lake and fish.. We fixed our budget at a max of about 2500 to 3 grand. The next weekend I was pulling a brand new Bennington ouf of the dealerships parking lot... lol, it happens.. enjoy the new rig. and congratulations again.

Congratulations! We all know that whoever has the most toys win, so you made a significant climb up the leaderboard.

Boats are required to come with the minimum safety equipment. It varies some by jurisdiction, but it's typically basic ugly orange life jackets, fire extinguisher, a whistle, a mirror (for signaling), and stuff like that. Most dealers will throw in a couple of dock lines and an anchor with rope.

Assuming you haven't paid 100% yet, and you certainly shouldn't until you've taken a sea trial, the last couple of minutes before you write the last check, or sign the final paperwork is a great time to ask the dealer to throw in more stuff for free. Even though the boat market is red hot right now, and they could sell your boat to someone else quickly if you backed out, they'll still typically throw in a few hundred bucks of extra gear. I got my dealer to throw in a nice tube and tow line, a couple nice dock lines, and even a cool T-shirt, hat and Yetti Tumbler.l

I appreciate the input! keep it comin!!
I will speak to them about at least throwing in the fire extinguishers and basics, I dont really want any of the vests as we have some and prefer to get the nicer ones.
Its got the bimi top, a playpen cover, single axle trailer, (would have preferred a double but we will see how that goes) it seems alot of people are looking for used pontoon trailers so if i change my mind later and want a nicer trailer, it shouldnt be hard to get.
Has all the gauges and bluetooth stereo. I just bought a set of 6 EZFenders per the countless reviews I've heard about them from places like this.
Going to look into a switchable battery set up, as a backup is a must-have, will know more when it gets here and I can check out the allocated space for it. I'm still super stoked, and we are scheduled for pickup on April 20th.
When we get it home ill post up some more pictures. How come noones made a trolling motor that bolts on the underside of the deck yet??

Congrats on the new boat! In total agreement with the others... Being a responsible adult is highly over-rated. You can't pull a tube or fish from your patio!

Congrats on your first new ‘toon!

Monday’s coming along soon to pickup the boat!
What are your opinions on fenders? Needed or not needed?
I already bought a set of EZfenders just so I’m well equipped if needed, is there any permanent fender solutions that you can set and forget?
What mods are a must have?
Bait live well options? (As the one in the table will prolly be for caught fish but that’s still a maybe)
Other cool must haves for trailering daily?
What colors you pee?
I have so many questions.

Rabbit929 wrote: ↑

Thu Apr 08, 2021 5:34 pm

is there any permanent fender solutions that you can set and forget?

I know I'll get some push back from some boaters, but in the boating community serious boaters know it's a rookie mistake to leave your fenders out all the time. They are meant to be deployed for docking. Yes, it can be convenient to leave them out al the time, but they beat up the side of your boat. And if you leave them out all the time, those "waves and smiles" you'll see from other boaters are just them pointing and laughting at you!

Rabbit929 wrote: ↑

Thu Apr 08, 2021 5:34 pm

Monday’s coming along soon to pickup the boat!
What are your opinions on fenders? Needed or not needed?
I already bought a set of EZfenders just so I’m well equipped if needed, is there any permanent fender solutions that you can set and forget?
What mods are a must have?
Bait live well options? (As the one in the table will prolly be for caught fish but that’s still a maybe)
Other cool must haves for trailering daily?
What colors you pee?
I have so many questions.

Not on your boat. But I have permanently mounted fender-buoys on my dock for both boats. Makes docking easier and quick. I keep fenders on the boat for tie ups and other docks.

Good to know! Would be nice if all the docks had something! But the few that we’ve used with our previous toon vary greatly. I’ll make sure to bring em in!

steve1313 wrote: ↑

Fri Apr 09, 2021 6:39 am

And if you leave them out all the time, those "waves and smiles" you'll see from other boaters are just them pointing and laughting at you!

Congrats, if you don't already have it, a permanent hard roof shelter to store the boat when out of the water is a really good idea to protect your investment. It blows my mind to see someone spent 30-50K on a toon, then park it under a tree in their yard.

Well got her out for her maiden voyage and we love it.
Got about 26mph at 5800rpms. Does that sound about right for the prop? (Max 6000rpm spec) but I never saw more than 5800rpms.

I’m flirting with the idea of adding that poly 3rd toon and underskinning, I know it’s not necessary but I’m having a hard time leaving it alone.

So far I’ve added

Minnkota deckhand anchor winch with remote switch built into dash
Minnkota double bank charger, as there are future plans for a spare battery.
Have yet to install the fuel battery/cutoff switch
Onboard toilet for the kids

I am looking for a good garbage can setup, small rail mounted grill, and some decent lighting for night fishin.