Help out a 1stTimer on a Pontoon???

[1stTimer]

Just found the site, and i'm feeling at home here! NOW..for the tough stuff. I'm thinking about buying a 21' Voyager Pontoon w/ a 90HP Merc 2 Stroke... Can't seem to find any opinions on the boat or what's better between a 2 and 4 stroke these days, besides the dealer / manufacturers recommendations, so i'm looking to you guys to help me out. Good boat? Good Motor? ANY SUGGESTIONS??? <br /><br />Thanks!!!! <br />1stTimer

 

[blifsey]

Re: Help out a 1stTimer on a Pontoon???

I would think a 4-stroke would be ideal for a pontoon. Positives I see with 4-stroke are noise, emissions (or lack off) and better fuel economy. Negatives are heavier, performance (hole shot), and cost (which should drop over time). Since you mostly cruise around on a pontoon and don't do a lot of racing from fishing hole to fishing hole, a 4-stroke would be nice. <br /><br />BL...

 

[steelespike]

Re: Help out a 1stTimer on a Pontoon???

While I think 4stroke technology is terrific.<br />I think A wait and see is in order. 2 strokes<br /> Are a much a simpler package that produces very<br />good mileage excellent performance and are lighter too. In my opinion there are just to many moving parts in a 4 stroke. Even in the best of care Maintenance and repair is higher. <br />You dont need huge horse power because pontoons <br />cant go fast.A 20ft 50hp. pontoon will do about<br />20-23 mph.With triple the horsepower it will do<br /> only about 29 to 32 mph.<br />Pontoons are great family cruisers,lots of room,<br />very stable,unlimited modification oportunities.<br />Camper covers,convertable heads,gas grills,wetbars<br /> porch gliders.Use your imagination.<br /> Spike

 

[BeerBarge]

Re: Help out a 1stTimer on a Pontoon???

I just bought a 24ft suntracker w/ a 115 merc. It is suprisingly quiet at normal pontoon cruising speed.

 

[KFC]

Re: Help out a 1stTimer on a Pontoon???

I just bought 22ft Tahoe Pontoon w/ a 50 2 stroke Yamaha motor and I couldn't be more happy with my purchase. Its quiet and gives me just the power I want for fishing and when I take the family out.<br /> I live in Delaware on the Indian River Inlet and alot of people here have pontoons and they really love them. <br />Good Luck<br />Ken

 

[jollymon]

Re: Help out a 1stTimer on a Pontoon???

I think, your primary questions was to go with a 2 stroke vs 4 stroke. I recently bought a 25' pontoon with a 90hp Merc 2 stroke. If I had it to do over again i would definitly have gone with the four stroke. With the 4 stroke you get about 25% more fuel economy and you do not have to add the oil. (Merc 2-stroke oil about $14 per gallon. Every one will tell you, you can run cheaper oil, but Merc makes the oil to make the engines run, The manufactor should know what is best for thier motor) Also with me it is not just the cost, but just getting the fuel itself. As far as the Merc 2-stroke I have had mine for 2 months and have put about 40 hours on it. I started having trouble with it idling and starting it, after about 20 hours I took it back to the dealer they made some adjustments and replaced the spark plugs, and all is fine. The dealer told me that Merc use to require a 20 hour check up by the dealer, but they dropped it. Which ever you decide I wish you many happy days on the water.

 

[1stTimer]

Re: Help out a 1stTimer on a Pontoon???

Thanks to each one of you for your responses! For my first posting, I'm totally amazed at the great advice (both Pro AND Con) that I couldn't get from anybody I KNEW, let alone dealers. That being said...I'm just hoping to find out if the Voyager is one of the better pontoons on the water, and if I can get that out of my system, then i'm going to go ahead and buy this thing and hopefully...enjoy a good Father's Day on the water...GUILT FREE.<br />Thanks again!!!! And get used to me, because, as a 1st Timer with a boat...I'm going to have alot of questions! <br /><br />THANKS!!!!

 

[blifsey]

Re: Help out a 1stTimer on a Pontoon???

I don't think it matters what you get, you will always see another boat you like and think "if only I had". I've read here and elsewhere a boating sickness called "2 ft envy" which means no matter how big your boat, you always wish it was 2 ft longer. et a boat and if in next year or two you decide to upgrade/change style, etc., at least you've had time on the water. Biggest thing is ENJOY.<br /><br />BL...