1st time boat owner

[SigSaurP229]

Re: 1st time boat owner

I do love a pontoon...

From someone that owns a 28' Pontoon you will hate towing one with your xterra. I used to tow mine with a Nissan Frontier was no fun at all, then I traded for a Chevy Trailblazer, even worse finally I bit the bullet and went to a Ford Expedition. The problem with towing a pontoon isn't the weight it is the fact you are basically towing a gigantic billboard behind you.

You will definetly want to avoid any trihull like the plague (they ride like crap). A toon would be a good choice but I'd rather tow a heavy bowrider with the xterra than a longer wider pontoon.


That Chap smoke posted is a winner.

The automatic xterra from 2003 and up is rated to pull 5200lbs you will be able to tow any of those boats.


This one is ugly as all get out, but would be a GREAT first boat to make sure you like the hobby, and to beat the crap out of and make mistakes on.

http://jerseyshore.craigslist.org/boa/4273555933.html

a little farther away but this seems to be the style you are looking for.

http://youngstown.craigslist.org/boa/4252383638.html


After further review of everything in this thread if it is the style that you are looking for you should go buy that Chap that Smoke posted. It seems to be a VERY fair price, and the owner knows his stuff and maintenance history, he seems to take alot of pride of ownership its a winner.

 

[redneck joe]

Re: 1st time boat owner

It would be fine I guess I am just not an Inboard/Outboard fan especially for a first time boat owner.

I've been boating since the age of 9 by 11 I could dock a 28 footer. I've run cruisers, runabouts and pontoons, both inboard/outboard, and outboard.

I prefer outboard engines, just for reliability and ease of maintenance. An Inboard/outboard would be fine, just not my cup of tea. I like a bigger margin of error on everything and more simple and reliable, and you just can't beat an aluminum hull outboard.

what he said, all of it. My first 'real' boat was an I/O and in retrospect wish I hadn't done that. i don't mind the I/O now but if I ever have to repower.....

 

[redneck joe]

Re: 1st time boat owner

From someone that owns a 28' Pontoon you will hate towing one with your xterra. I used to tow mine with a Nissan Frontier was no fun at all, then I traded for a Chevy Trailblazer, even worse finally I bit the bullet and went to a Ford Expedition. The problem with towing a pontoon isn't the weight it is the fact you are basically towing a gigantic billboard behind you.

You will definetly want to avoid any trihull like the plague (they ride like crap). A toon would be a good choice but I'd rather tow a heavy bowrider with the xterra than a longer wider pontoon.


That Chap smoke posted is a winner.

The automatic xterra from 2003 and up is rated to pull 5200lbs you will be able to tow any of those boats.

28' is a big 'toon and 'rated' is not 'safe' imho.

 

[smokeonthewater]

Re: 1st time boat owner

another point for the toon is that for 8 adults, even the big wellcraft I posted would be VERY crowded..... Honestly with that in mind a toon may be your ONLY choice though you may want one bigger than 20'

Problem is that the bigger we get these boats the sharper the learning curve gets.... Of course that depends on the person and whether you can get some help for the first few trips.... A close friend of mine Got a 38'er for his first boat but he had me to school him.... obviously it doesn't get trailered...it's 16' wide and would need the flying bridge removed to haul.

Another thought is that maybe you need to accept that 2-4 people is a better number and save the 6-8 person parties for your second boat

 

[smokeonthewater]

Re: 1st time boat owner

28' is a big 'toon and 'rated' is not 'safe' imho.

a 28' toon would not be fun with the nissan unless it was all on lower speed secondary roads BUT rated tow capacity ABSOLUTELY IS safe tow capacity referring to the glass boats.

obviously the fine print must be checked IE weight carrying vs weight distribution and the requirements for trailer brakes

That little 20' bass buggy might be a real good match... up to about 6 people should be no problem too

 

[Livelaughpens]

Re: 1st time boat owner

another point for the toon is that for 8 adults, even the big wellcraft I posted would be VERY crowded..... Honestly with that in mind a toon may be your ONLY choice though you may want one bigger than 20'

Problem is that the bigger we get these boats the sharper the learning curve gets.... Of course that depends on the person and whether you can get some help for the first few trips.... A close friend of mine Got a 38'er for his first boat but he had me to school him.... obviously it doesn't get trailered...it's 16' wide and would need the flying bridge removed to haul.

Another thought is that maybe you need to accept that 2-4 people is a better number and save the 6-8 person parties for your second boat

Yeah, I mean 8 people is on the very high spectrum of things.

 

[SigSaurP229]

Re: 1st time boat owner

a 28' toon would not be fun with the nissan unless it was all on lower speed secondary roads BUT rated tow capacity ABSOLUTELY IS safe tow capacity referring to the glass boats.

obviously the fine print must be checked IE weight carrying vs weight distribution and the requirements for trailer brakes

That little 20' bass buggy might be a real good match... up to about 6 people should be no problem too

The funny thing about towing the 28' with the Frontier I was only at about 70% of the tow capacity, the toon trailer motor fuel and equipmment weighed in at 3500' lbs the truck was rated for 5200 lbs. It was on state highways running about 50-55mph. It is an entirely different animal towing a pontoon than a bow rider.

All of the boats listed in this thread are safely towable with the xterra.

 

[smokeonthewater]

Re: 1st time boat owner

Yeah, I mean 8 people is on the very high spectrum of things.

my point is that 5 people is too many for some of these boats and 8 is too many for pretty much all of them..... not beating ya down but it's very common for new boaters to assume that as many people as you have seats for is fine but unlike a car people move around in boats and want to stretch out.... also boats suffer in performance and stability when heavily loaded.....

I think we're on the same page but just wanted to make sure....

 

[SigSaurP229]

Re: 1st time boat owner

My 18' Starcraft Supersport is rated for 8 people, I am just saying, I don't think I would want to go more than 6 but what the heck its rated for 8 as long as its under the max capacity

(can you tell I am biased)

 

[smokeonthewater]

Re: 1st time boat owner

My 18' Starcraft Supersport is rated for 8 people, I am just saying, I don't think I would want to go more than 6 but what the heck its rated for 8 as long as its under the max capacity

(can you tell I am biased)

would that be 8 people and 850 lbs?????? hmmmmmm???????? :boink:

 

[SigSaurP229]

Re: 1st time boat owner

would that be 8 people and 850 lbs?????? hmmmmmm???????? :boink:

1200lbs

I am 175 my wife is 170 my 9 year old is 90 my 2 year old is 27 my 1 year old niece is 22 my sister is 225Sarah is 130 (17 year old neighbor) and Kaylee is 90 13 year old neighbor. Total of 929 lbs +/- 5% give a max total of 970 lbs occupancy weight, but 8 people, another 117 lbs in fuel 18 gallons gas @6.5 lbs a gallon. plus life jackets and safety equipment at another 100 lbs 1187 lbs. Would it be comfortable NO WAY is it safely doable yes. (Coolers fishing gear anchors and all that crap stay on shore at the camper).

Everyone properly fitted with PFDs proper throw cushion and fire extinguisher onboard. Would I do it as a first time boater with no idea on how to properly distribute weight NO.

I have loaded 6 in my old 15 foot TRIHULL before, was less than the total rated weight limit but right at maximum occupancy. Was it comfortable NO not at all but was it doable yes would I do it as a first time boater without a clue as to proper distribution of weight NO.

Its kind of like towing make sure you are under the maximum weight, and make sure the load is properly distributed and yes it is safe. As with towing will your performance go do YES.

 

[smokeonthewater]

Re: 1st time boat owner

LOL... jus razzin ya... either way 5 of me is 1250 lbs..... Granted tho I'd prefer 1 of me and 7 110 lb gals which would be within capacity at 1020 lbs... plus not crowded at all.... irate:

 

[SigSaurP229]

Re: 1st time boat owner

LOL... jus razzin ya... either way 5 of me is 1250 lbs..... Granted tho I'd prefer 1 of me and 7 110 lb gals which would be within capacity at 1020 lbs... plus not crowded at all.... irate:

That sir is logic that is very difficult to argue with.


OP sorry we got off track a little but, it seems you are on the right train off though but I would kind of skip the pontoon to start.

 

[Livelaughpens]

Re: 1st time boat owner

Sometimes off topic isn't a bad thing. It breaks up the monotony.

8 people is a high number but if we're being totally honest, I don't really want 7 people around me in such tight spaces. Haha.

 

[SigSaurP229]

Re: 1st time boat owner

Sometimes off topic isn't a bad thing. It breaks up the monotony.

8 people is a high number but if we're being totally honest, I don't really want 7 people around me in such tight spaces. Haha.

I sincerely believe that any of the boats pointed out will suit your needs, that Chap that smoke posted is probably the best overall buy.

 

[smokeonthewater]

Re: 1st time boat owner

you mean the wellcraft? or the chap that S/K posted

I'd lean toward the welly myself IF it's in as good of shape as it looks like

I also still don't think that that lil 20' toon would be any problem to tow.. it's only 2/3 of what you were towing ... I know someone who tows one that size with an old dodge dakota.... the xterra would HAVE to do better than it and they don't have any trouble

 

[Livelaughpens]

Re: 1st time boat owner

I emailed about the well craft and the chap. Just waiting for replies now.

 

[SigSaurP229]

Re: 1st time boat owner

i would honestly pass on the welcraft. not that it isnt a good boat but none of the things u mentioned doing work well with a cabin cruiser

The chap that smoke posted or the rinker that i posted are your best bets.

 

[SigSaurP229]

Re: 1st time boat owner

The scary thing is my grandfather used to tow the 28' with his 1990 dodge dakota with a 3.8 v6. Worse than that is he towed it on a bumper ball. He obviously had bigger brass ones than me. My dad towed the same boat with his 2005 Dodge Caravan the rear suspension would sag so much he had to take a receiver with a 5 inch drop and flip it upside down so the trailer wouldnt drag. Watching them and driving a semi is what made me decideto buy a capable tow vehicle

which brings us to another point op what kind of hitch is on your xterra.

 

[Livelaughpens]

Re: 1st time boat owner

I heard back from the WellCraft. He said it needs a new outboard. I'm assuming that's a new motor..?

I think I am going to take a break from looking for a bit and just save up some more money.

Thank you all for your help and advice! Once I start looking again, I'll be back!