Conference vicki::boats

    I'm also beginning to look at pontoon boats.  I think I'd like to
    have one.
    
    Does anyone in this conference have any experience with pontoon
    boats?  Likes/Dislikes? etc.
    
    At this early stage of my investigation, almost any information
    would be useful.
    
    regards,
    Don Gresh

    My brother-in-law has a pontoon boat, and it's great if you want
    to go for a cruise with a bunch of people. The really nice things
    about it are the stability and the large flat deck. You can walk
    all over the place and the thing stays put. I would not recommend
    it for waterskiing, tho.... 
    
    They are relatively inexpensive, too - somewhere around $5K-$7K
    for basic models. I saw a two-level model at the boat show this
    year - looked like it might get a little top-heavy.
    
    Jon

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Note 1251.0           Pontoon Boats - recomendations sought           No replies
USCTR1::HAMELIN                                      12 lines  30-JAN-1996 17:59
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    I'm interested in purchasing a pontoon boat for my folks to enjoy. I
    know that I want one that is large enough to hold 8-10 adults and kids.
    Anyone familiar with them and how much power would be needed on a
    reasonably windy lake ?
    Appreciate any knowledge, experience or thoughts regarding these as I
    have only seen 2  - a rag top and one with an upper deck (no railing!-
    I don't think I would, due to young kids and fear of fools jumpimg off
    into the shallows!)
    
    Thanks,
    Bob
    

    From what I remember when my father had a pontoon boat;
    
    You want the largest diameter pontoon, 20" sounds right. There are
    smaller diameters but they don't carry the weight as well and end
    up submerged more than the larger ones. You also want to avoid the
    pontoons that aren't circular in cross-section. Neighbor at the
    lake has one, kind of a 'D' cross-section and it's prone to dents and
    dings.
    
    The floors need to be checked for rot. They're exposed to water from
    the top (wet & soaked carpet) as well as splashes from underneath.
    
    We had a fixed aluminum top which was sold in favor of the folding
    canvas. The canvas was much quieter, and on cool fall days you can
    drop it down to catch the sun's rays. If it's too sunny for you, put it
    back up. Lighter and quieter.
    
    For power, your choice. Our's was a 20' with a 70hp outboard. It
    would scoot well across the lake when a storm rolled in, pull a
    waterskier on combo's, or a tuber. 20 mph was about tops. I've seen a
    24' with a 200hp O/B that will do mid 40's, and I've also seen 260hp V8
    inboard/outboards. Then there are the 20hp models as well, I think that's 
    a bit too small.
    
    There are also deck boats now, figerglass bottomed, kind of like
    tri-hulls. Many options, lots of $$.
    
    ~jeff

BOB
	MY NAME IS JACK KASPER AND I WORKED IN THE MARINE INDUSTRY

FOR FIVE YEARS. I HAVE A PRETTY GOOD UNDERSTANDING OF PONTOON BOATS.

I AM CURRUNTLY CERTIFIED MERCRUISER,  MERCURY OUTBORD TECH.

I WOULD LIKE TO ANSWER YOUR QUESTIONS BUT THERE IS NOT ENOUGH ROOM OR TIME TO 

DO IT THROUGH NOTES.

IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO CALL ME AT HOME AFTER 8:30 PM  I WILL TRY TO GIVE YOU THE

INFO YOU NEED.

1  508 393 8772  AFTER 8 PM  FOR THE NEXT 6 WEEKS.  (I NORMALY WORK NIGHTS)

    re:3
    
    	This looks like the type of thing that a boat show would be good
    for. Let the manufacturing reps tell you about all the supposed
    advantages to their boats vs. others. Just some common sense things
    would be (aside from just price) -
    
    	o Size and guage of metal used on pontoons
    	o Engine size and mfgr. (ie. Force cheaper than Mercury)
    	o Warranty (if your looking for new)
    	o Trailer (Galvanized, painted, or aluminum)
    	o Weight of boat fully rigged (if tow vehicle's a factor)
    	o Options, such as stereo, coolers, grill, etc.)
    	o Amount of storage and seating
    	o Usable weight capacity
    	O Type of decking
    
    	This last thing seems odd to me. The only complaint I've heard
    about these things is that the decks go on them in 5-7 years. You'd
    think that they'd come up with a either a fiberglass coated wood or
    use that new plastic/wood particle composite that they use for house
    type decks. This could be a key point.
    
    	Happy shopping.....Ray
    

    .6 reminded me of the difference in trailers,
    
    My father did only the seasonal towing of his pontoon. Up in the
    spring, home in the fall. Left in the water the rest of the time. The
    trailer, like most pontoon trailers had a very narrow width track.
    Towing that thing was scary to watch the side to side sway and rocking.
    The narrow trailer picks up the boat by the floor pan. Basically a tall
    and narrow trailer. I've seen larger pontoon baots with trailers that
    support the pontoons. The have a full track width and are short. It
    becomes harder to launch and retrieve a pontoon boat the the
    under-pontoon trailer, but they look like they would tow a lot easier. 
    Just summin' to consider.
    
    YMMV, 
    ~jeff