help with pontoon idea

[edmo]

I currently have a small pontoon, 18' with a 40 HP motor, max speed ~12mph. I'm thinking about getting a 20' pontoon(garage limited) and a bigger motor. I will fish mostly locally, but we occasionally take a fishing trip to Canada (1000 miles), and I'd like to take a pontoon. Looking for suggestions on max hp I could put on a 20', because going up some of the rapids between lakes takes more than the 40 hp on mine with the 18 footer. Also, any problems trailering a pontoon that far? Tow vehicle is 3/4 ton diesel, so that part should not be a problem.

I'm sure I could have found my answers in a previous thread, but there are about 3300 of them. Thanks, Edmo.

 

[Snowfish]

Re: help with pontoon idea

The max HP is going to be limited to the pontoons rating. Go bigger and you could get a ticket.

I had an interesting insight, while helping a Bennington Tech, getting my friends Brand New 22ft dialed in. Boat's placard say's 90hp max. That's what he's got. However, Bennington has a 150hp, or so, option. What changes is the boats passenger/gear payload. Framing stays the same. Interesting.

Bottom line is unless you're ordering a new pontoon, stick with the max rating and run it. Hopefully yours will be 90hp. Should move you along just fine. Two, maybe 3, props also. Those rocks can ruin a nice fishing trip fast.

Trailering Any distance is not a problem. Provided that you don't cheap out on the trailer. Tandem Axle bunk with 13" 6plys would be my choice. And meticulously maintained. Bearings gone through seasonally. Not just a couple squirts in the bearing buddys. Two spare tires. We'll talking Canadian roads here.

Sounds like a plan! Cruising the Canadian lakes sounds like a blast!

 

[MH Hawker]

Re: help with pontoon idea

It depends on the age of the boat, most of the older ones were limited to 75 HP. As far as a trailer, under 22 feet is a single axle. just go over it , bearing and seals and lights and you should be just fine a few spare parts is all ways nice , a extra tire, bearing and hub set if you can. With a 3/4 ton truck you wont notice its behind you.

 

[The Woo Woo Kid]

Re: help with pontoon idea

You should consider a " high thrust " prop....a 4 blade or such.....for taming those rapids

 

[edmo]

Re: help with pontoon idea

Thanks to all. I have the classic problem of too small of a toy box for the toys. I have a Smokercraft v-bottom that we usually take to Canada when we go, and it does OK there, but just trying to combine two for one purpose.

I was curious about a pontoon for long trips, because we never saw many on I-35 or other interstates. I always thought that a pontoon would be great in Canadian waters If you could get it there. I've always been one to drag my own boat wherever I fished. Maybe not always the most economical, but I have what I need when I get there.

 

[The Woo Woo Kid]

Re: help with pontoon idea

On that note, when I bought mine I had it shipped over 1,000 miles. The driver said it towed very well. As long as your trailer is roadworthy for long hauls and your tongue weight is correct (to avoid sway, etc) your 20 ft toon will tow just fine.

Trailers.....this is my first trailer with hydraulic brakes. They work so much better than electric.

It's easy to see why you'ld want a pontoon to fish from.

 

[MH Hawker]

Re: help with pontoon idea

Toons are easy to fish from, I rebuilt line just for that.

 

[junkman41]

Re: help with pontoon idea

Toons are easy to fish from, I rebuilt line just for that.

and I am re-doing mine a little at a time, to get it the way I want mine for fishing

 

[MH Hawker]

Re: help with pontoon idea

and I am re-doing mine a little at a time, to get it the way I want mine for fishing

I rebuilt mine over a year and a hafe

 

[Silver Eagle]

Re: help with pontoon idea

Did you ever think about renting a pontoon boat while in Canada. Who wants to tow a boat 1000 miles each way..

 

[edmo]

Re: help with pontoon idea

Have certainly thought about renting a boat and motor alright, but I always take mine because of the trolling motor and electronics I have on mine, and the price always seems a bit high for a 25 hp and a 16' v-bottom. As far as pontoons go I have not seen any for rent in the Sioux Lookout area that we go. I think there are some houseboats on Lost lake nearby, but kind of pins you down.

I

 

[OK Toon]

Re: help with pontoon idea

If you are going to be trailering that far, and over rough roads, I would highly recommend a transom saver. Even though most pontoons are towed with the motor in the vertical position (there is enough ground clearance), that is still putting a lot of stress on the transom when you go over rough roads at 60mph.

 

[Bamaman1]

Re: help with pontoon idea

It's a shame that you're length limited. I checked on Bennington's website, and 70 hp is the maximum on their 20' boats. That size boat with a 25" toons and a 70 Yamaha would be a honey, however.

As far as towing a boat 1000 miles, I have a diesel pickup and wouldn't want to tow any boat that far for vacation. A pontoon boat is like pulling a sail, and they'll cost you 5 mpg and a bunch of hassle. It'd be cheaper if you rented a boat at the other end.

 

[mr geets]

Re: help with pontoon idea

I recently towed 900 miles at 90 kph (55) with my mooring tarp (travel tarp is $600 & way up) and everything survived. The 5 liter (302) in the 2012 F150 crew worked great at 14 mile per gallon and pulled fine. The neat part was when there was no room to stay so I pulled off and slept onboard under the mooring tarp quite comfy on the longer seat. Go for it!

 

[edmo]

Re: help with pontoon idea

Certainly understand the rough roads and trailer concern. Had to make a side trip to an auto parts store for some bolts that shook loose on one trip up north.

Haven't looked into it much yet , but going to look into possibility of adding a middle toon and welding on some strakes and a bit bigger motor. If anybody has any experience in that area, let me know.