Any Pontoons have a Stock Houseboat Version?

[Capt Josh]

So I havent takent the plunge just yet on the new pontoon. If this topic has been covered already, I apologize.

Do any pontoon manufacturers have any new models with a hard enclosure as a part of their in-stock fleet? I am just getting new to the pontoon world. I am under the assumption that all the ones I see out there are either older or have been modified somehow.

Furthermore, I suppose I could have someone mod one, but I dont know much about this either.

Last, wouldnt this be like a kite in the water and get blown all over the place with a single outboard?

Much Thanks!!

[1roadking]

Tracker marine makes a semi house style boat, take at look at badmoonrising's profile and pics. Sweet set up:)

[badmoonrising]

Yep. My Party Cruiser is factory with a hard top/cabin. Tracker stopped building them in 2010 due to the economy and idled the plant until things improve.

My boat is a 3.0 Mercruiser I/O, unless the winds are string enough for near small craft advisory conditions, it's pretty easy to handle once you get used to it.

[Bamby]

As far as recognized pontoon boat manufactures I'm thinking no. I'm thinking the tracker marine party hut has been suspended in production without any real date of if and when they will again be available again.

Fortunately there are a few manufactures that more or less specialize in the houseboat side of pontoon world that are still in business. Now for the maybe bad side of availability is the fact most of these models are pretty large and not readily over the road trailerable for the individual or owner. One exception I'm readily aware of though is the catamaran cruiser which has fiberglass hulls vrs. the aluminum hulls found on most pontoon boats.

Lastly as the owner of a smaller houseboat I can attest that navigation and tracking is a relative non-issue with them. I often leave the helm to attend situations under power with very little concern because the boat continues following it's projected course without any real change until I get back to the helm. All in all at least with my boat space for space I can pull off anything anybody else can do with their pontoon boat.

[Capt Josh]

As far as recognized pontoon boat manufactures I'm thinking no. I'm thinking the tracker marine party hut has been suspended in production without any real date of if and when they will again be available again.

Fortunately there are a few manufactures that more or less specialize in the houseboat side of pontoon world that are still in business. Now for the maybe bad side of availability is the fact most of these models are pretty large and not readily over the road trailerable for the individual or owner. One exception I'm readily aware of though is the catamaran cruiser which has fiberglass hulls vrs. the aluminum hulls found on most pontoon boats.

Lastly as the owner of a smaller houseboat I can attest that navigation and tracking is a relative non-issue with them. I often leave the helm to attend situations under power with very little concern because the boat continues following it's projected course without any real change until I get back to the helm. All in all at least with my boat space for space I can pull off anything anybody else can do with their pontoon boat.

I knew SunTracker no longer made their version. There are a few used ones left out there. In an ideal world a Cataman Cruiser would work, but they are a bit steep. Trailing wouldnt be an issue, because it will be at a slip. As far as I know there is no such thing as an economical houseboat/pontoon under the 35' range with a small outboard ot outboards on it.

Does anyone know of any groups in North TX that mod pontoons?

There is a group I found up in Minnesota that does something similar, but yet again you are looking at one expensive boat when it is all said and done.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/New-32-f ... dbf2#v4-35

[Bamby]

IMO that rig is also way overpriced!!! Add motor and console another 10 Grand plus the interior is both unfurnished and unfinished. You would likely have 55 Grand into it before you hit the water plus some of your time and sweat equity.

I'm thinking you may be able to somehow do better myself. Here's one for thought some folks here have spent more on their pontoon boats and this one comes furnished. BRAND NEW 10' x 40' PONTOON HOUSEBOAT, TRAILER and 90 HP MERCURY MOTOR

Or maybe this used Myacht listed on another forum:

2004 Myacht 3512 Houseboat

It is 12 feet wide and 35 feet long plus a swim platform with a swim ladder under.

There are two 60hp Mercury four stroke engines and two 55gal fuel tanks.

A 4kw Onan generator with it's own 25gal fuel tank.

It has roof AC with heat strip, thermostat controlled gas furnace, DSI gas water heater,
gas range with oven, 3 way 6 cf refrigerator, amplified TV antenna, 32in Sony LED TV.

Depth finder, remote control spot light, marine radio, horn, 3 battery charger, stereo with 6 speakers.

2 CO alarms, Lp gas alarm with automatic outside shut off, 2 fire ext.

Includes life jackets, bumpers, throwable life preserver.

Generator redone in 2010, new refrigerator in 2010, new china commode in 2012.

Reduced to $58,000.00

[RonKMiller]

I had the same dilemma a few years ago. The biggest issue with me was trailering height, width and weight - since I live 10 hours driving time at 65mph from the only really interesting body of water in the southwest - Lake Powell.

That's when I decided to roll my own that can be folded while in transit or while under way:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9YsRa1NbLe4

https://picasaweb.google.com/MillerRonK ... ngTheYKnot

I have WAY too much time invested in the project, but practically nothing in $$. Including the trailer I've got $20K into it, but I got away so inexpensively since I was able to do my own repairs and modifications to a junker boat and bought my new Chalet trailer right after the Greater Depression kicked in. I bought it way BELOW dealer cost since they were desperate for cash. Paying someone to build your dream houseboat would be insanely expensive.

You might consider buying a pontoon with just a deck, motor and helm, and then installing a simple pre-fabbed cabin on top. While I don't have any specific recommendations this blog may give you some inspiration:

http://tinyhouseblog.com

The big issue here would be weight. My trailer is 2,000 lbs. It would be just about impossible to find a fully equipped living space even close to that weight.

toon at reflection canyon.jpg (465.74 KiB) Viewed 4749 times

[Capt Josh]

[quote="Bamby"]IMO that rig is also way overpriced!!! Add motor and console another 10 Grand plus the interior is both unfurnished and unfinished. You would likely have 55 Grand into it before you hit the water plus some of your time and sweat equity.

I'm thinking you may be able to somehow do better myself. Here's one for thought some folks here have spent more on their pontoon boats and this one comes furnished. BRAND NEW 10' x 40' PONTOON HOUSEBOAT, TRAILER and 90 HP MERCURY MOTOR

[quote]

I 100% agree with you. Wow that link you sent is pretty spot on. I have done a lot of research and that 10 x 40 pontoon houseboat with the 90HP is by far the closest I have come. I will have to contact that manufacturer. Much Thanks!!

[monksblood]

Ron, that is a nice outfit you got there

[belercous]

I've got a `94 Tracker Party Cruiser (can't figure out how to add pix, I'm just dumb as hell) which I liken to a camper with a 14' patio up front. The helm is open, unlike newer ones (don't get the indoor helm, seems like not a good idea), & the rear deck is shorter. The boat's 32' & is loaded from the factory, everything you'd want is in the cabin (AC/heat, generator, shower, toilet, sink w/ running water, Couch w/ hide away bed, screen doors, stove, frige, b-b-q grill, table, DC lighting, 115 VAC, blah, blah) and if the canvas covera sre good the rear & fwd ends can be enclosed as well so it can sleep 3 couples. Or 4 people who hate each other.

If you can find one for sale they go for around 17K. I did a lot of resto/upgrade work to mine so it'd go for 5k more. 115 hp outboard 2 stroke Merc., not great on gas, nor very fast. The transom is rated for 150 hp. One can feel the wind when not under power in tight areas, and can be a real pig, but on the open water under power it's not that bad. The wind (or engine) doesn't move it real fast as it weighs a tad under 3 tons dry. An experienced driver can handle it, but the boat isn't supposed to be out if the winds are above 15 mph. I'll take it out if the winds are under 20, but not above that. And at that speed going into the wind will get the front deck wet.

For the $, you really can't beat an older Party Cruiser, but expect to reupholster everything in front & behind the cabin, and replace
at least the front carpet. Check for wood rot before you buy. If there's any underneath the cabin & aft, walk away. I only had to replace the most fwd deck panel on mine, then I underskinned the whole boat.

It was a winter project I did myself with a bud, but I got into a bigger boat pretty cheap, at least compared to a new one. I know exactlly what my boat is & how everything works/fits. Buying a new boat has advantages, but if one is 1/2 way mechanically inclined a big bundle of $ can be saved. New boats lose their value fast, I'll let someone else take that hit.

Just a thought. Might not work for you, but it worked great for me. And I had never worked on a boat before I bought mine. Repairing/restorining a pontoon boat isn't that challenging. But walk away if you find rot in the decking.

Just my opinion, your mileage may vary.