I'm new, I'm new...

[Pammy]

Finally...I'm new to the forum, but haven't made the commitment to a boat yet.
We have always had speed boats. The choice is this: Sun Chaser, 22', tri toon, set up for fishing. It looks like it might be a very early 2012 that was taken to the shows for display. I have a choice of a 150 Yam 4 or a 200 Yam 4. We live on the bay. The water is rough at times. We like speed but would like to be a bit conservative with fuel as well. the 150 is quiet and I love it but I want Wes to be happy. So.....the different in speed verses fuel consumption verses reliability...what say ye?
Also, if there is a better place to post all this, please direct.
And Hello...
Pam

This is my re-post from the welcome thread

edited because I am a Moron. It's a SunChaser not a Sun Tracker.

[Towdaddy]

First, welcome to the forum. The tritoon is definitely the way to go. I would always opt for the larger motor. I don't believe that here are any real differences in reliability between the two motors. While there will be a difference in fuel use, they may not be as large as you think as the 200 may use less throttle for cruise speed and you have the option of more power and speed in the case of bad weather.

[Bamaman]

Pam:

Glad you changed your post to show a SunChaser boat--part of the Sylvan/Smokercraft family. SunChaser looks like their "economy" boat line, according to their website.

There are many, many brands comparable to SunChaser. And most of the top boat brands have an entry level boat line might do the job for you. Not every boat is of equal quality, as looks are sometimes deceiving with pontoons.

I would still suggest you look @ IBoats.com or Boattrader.com, filtering the mileage for popular brand pontoon boats within 100 miles. Look at other brands of boats, and your pocketbook may thank you. It's also pretty easy to figure out which dealers are willing to compete for your business with a fair price.

A 150 hp motor will do great on a 22' tri hull--about 40 mph if the hull has lifting strakes. If you're going to be on "big water", I'd suggest going to a 24' boat for stability.

There's no substitution for going from dealer to dealer--looking at upholstery and features, etc. If you find a boat that will fit your needs, chime back in here for opinions. Or, let us know how much you plan to spend, and see what suggestions you get. This forum is full of boating knowledge and advice.

[Pammy]

Thanks for the replies. As you see I have edited my post on accounta I may be ig'nant.
The Sun Chaser 22" is just shy of 24'. 23' 10" according to there propaganda. Does that make a difference?
I am getting a headache over all this new info. The more I research, the more I am getting confused.

The 150 is the motor they had on the fishing (I love to fish) version of the boat....It's the one I can get the best deal on (because they have had it so long). The motor is just on the boat....not really "rigged". The sales guy said I could get the 200 for about 3800 more. I am unclear whether the tritoons all have a tank in the middle tube. The "fisher" with the 150 hanging on it has a 24 gal external tank.

[HandymanHerb]

Just take a deep breath, we will help you through it, a 24 foot is even a better ride than a 22, what size lakes are you going to be on ?, that will help us help you, the bigger the lake the more reason you might want the biggest engine you can get, the reason people are saying to get the 200, it's a lot cheaper to do it now than later.

But we all started where you were, now we know it all

[Pammy]

We live on Tampa Bay. We like to fish and there are a few islands in the area. Also we are thinking about towing it to Sarasota, Siesta key area on occasion. Maybe Key West.

[HandymanHerb]

We live on Tampa Bay. We like to fish and there are a few islands in the area. Also we are thinking about towing it to Sarasota, Siesta key area on occasion. Maybe Key West.

Get the 200 for sure, being on big water you will need the extra power now and again to out run a storm and get your pontoons coated for salt, the guys over your way can tell you what is best, but I know don't use anything with copper in it.

[ROLAND]

Pammy... you say you boat on a bay where the water can get pretty rough... that's all you need to know to get a tri toon..... my boat's not a tri toon, but the lake we use is generally not very rough, but I've talked to alot of people who have tri toons and they swear by them on rougher waters... as for the motor.... I personally think you would be happy with the 150.... however, having said that if money isn't a consideration, then I would go with the 200 or whatever hp the boat is rated for...... If I could make one suggestion, you said you like to fish, if possible try to get a toon with a vinyl deck as opposed to carpet..... dropping fish, bait, just general traffic will soil carpet pretty quickly, but dirt and stains on a vinyl deck pretty much come right off if you use the power washer at your friendly "do it yourself carwash " / even better if you have a portable power washer at the house... good luck with your boat shopping...

[homey]

Mercury has a great site showing examples of how much fuel and top end speed can be obtained with various engine and boat combinations including pontoons.

http://www.mercurymarine.com/engines/en ... outboards/

[Pammy]

It's a D22 FNC. We looked at some fancier units but they made me think that I would not like to fish in them. It has vinyl flooring but doesn't have lifting strakes. It has fishing seats outside the fence in the front. There is only one other tritoon there and it does have the strikes. That's the boat that the 200 is hanging on, but it is the non fishing model. It had more upholstery and less open room. It had no room in the front outside the fence and it has lifting strikes. I don't really care about the seats outside the fence, but the extra room seems like it would come in handy for many things. Setting the anchor, tying off and possibly toting at least one of my kayaks.
Is getting the economy line a bad thing? Is is lesser quality? Will I be shunned by the water people ?
We always had power boats and Wes wasn't agreeable to fishing and other waters ports in them. They all went over 70mph and so that's all we did. Using massive amounts of fuel is in the past I hope. But we have never had a motor smaller than a 200.
The neighbor has a 150 on his fishing boat and it is extremely quiet.
This is all very frustrating to us. You folks have been too kind and patient. We know just about everything about motorcycles, a lot about performance boats and close to zero about pontoon boats. We are appreciating the schooling we are getting here. It is better getting suggestions from the people who use them than people who just sell them.
Wes even looked at the Beach Cat....holy mother of all that is holy....That is one fugly vessel!
I'm trying to be practical in the purchase of this toy. We can't seem to find anything used that has the tri toons and larger motor(150 or above). All the used ones are moldy as well. We work 6 days a week at our business so the hours are long and I don't have or want to spend hours making sure everything is perfect (been there, done that).
Sorry for the long post. I am trying to put all the info and criteria in so you have a better feel about how nutty....I mean, particular we are.
Thanks in advance for all your help and suggestions!
Pam
Edited cause iPad changes spelling on words I spell correctly also. Sheesh!

[Pammy]

Strakes.strakes.strakes. Ding dang iPad!

[Ron Burgundy]

Whatever motor you decide on I would suggest getting a good strong trolling motor if possible. Too much good fishing in the bay not to. Tilt up that beast on the back and you will have the most comfortable skinny water boat in the bay.

[ronb]

If you are going to be towing a lot (and it sounds like you might) don't forget to get a good quality bunk style tandem axle galvanized trailer with brakes! (not brikes!) and LED lights (my new trailer still has incandescent) so you don't have to worry about unplugging the lights when you back into water. And a good winch post, my first one blocked the front main entrance with a handle/pull bar, my second one is much better with side hand rails and better steps.

Sorry to add another thing, but you got to shop for one of these too..

happy shopping
-ron

[Pammy]

It has a trailer. I didn't ask about the brakes. I will, thanks. Of course we need a trolling motor, Wes even has one on his kayak . Are you saying we should have them put a trolling motor on the unit?
I like the 150 Yam, it's quiet, efficient and a workhorse from what I have gathered. We live on the bay, the boat will only be trailered if we go to the other places I mentioned.....sigh..... We work so many hours we seldom get to go anywhere. That is why this pontoon idea is taking off. We rented one last year and it was a hoot. It didn't use much gas and was comfortable. After reading this site and others we have been convinced that the tri is the way to go.
We live just North of the Skyway, so Egmont isn't a stretch. We would like to go at least as far as Anna Maria. You think that's doable?
I know you guys are thinking...why did we ever let her in here? Ha Ha

[Pammy]

On the trailer. Just about the front. It is on the trailer now and I climbed up and onto the front "porch" and opened the front gate. No problems there.I will check on the brakes and such.
Pam