i shoulda bought a pontoon. anyone else feel that way?

[ricohman]

Re: i shoulda bought a pontoon. anyone else feel that way?

RIcohman, you sir are a BOAT BIGOT.
I own a pontoon, as well as 4 other types of boats, and I enjoy the 'toon more than the rest put together.

Not at all. The pontoons (where I live) are mainly used as drinking and party platforms. And for the record, I like pontoons. One of my buddies owns a nice 24ft and it works well for fishing.
I also enjoy sport bikes and dual purpose bikes, and although I find Goldwings interesting, I'd never own one. But a snob I'm not.
Others in this thread think cuddies are a waste of time. I own one as it suits the needs of my family but I'm not calling them snobs.

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: i shoulda bought a pontoon. anyone else feel that way?

on that device, I wonder how it tows, not for tubing,but for travel from a ramp/dock to a cove, whatever.

Pontoons: I think what the comment meant to say, is they like many designs are a limited purpose boat, and don't work well for a variety of boating activities, including not handling anything but smooth, no current conditions. Those who want a multipurpose or performance boat would not have one for that.

Those asking advice on what ONE boat to buy are best steered toward the multipurpose boat. Those with several boats, or single-purpose boaters, would go to their specialty: bass boat, party barge, sofa boat, trawler, etc.

 

[haulnazz15]

Re: i shoulda bought a pontoon. anyone else feel that way?

And a FYI thier several pontoons around that run in the 100 MPH range

I'm well aware that there are high-performance pontoons out there. However, anything is fast if you strap enough HP on it. Doesn't make them any better handling though.

 

[ezmobee]

Re: i shoulda bought a pontoon. anyone else feel that way?

Although toons certainly have their uses, I personally would have no interest in towing or launching one regularly. Now if I owned some waterfront property? I might have one in the flotilla.

 

[coreybv]

Re: i shoulda bought a pontoon. anyone else feel that way?

IMO getting a cabin just so someone can pee indoors is a huge waste of space and money.

LOL....

Buddy of mine has a 22ft cuddy. When he bought it the porta-potty was, in his mind, one of the greatest features of his new boat.

After having it used once and realizing what would be involved with care, maintenance, and cleaning of the porta-potty, it got torn out of the boat to make space for a built in beer cooler.

Much more practical use of the space if you ask me.

 

[ricohman]

Re: i shoulda bought a pontoon. anyone else feel that way?

LOL....

Buddy of mine has a 22ft cuddy. When he bought it the porta-potty was, in his mind, one of the greatest features of his new boat.

After having it used once and realizing what would be involved with care, maintenance, and cleaning of the porta-potty, it got torn out of the boat to make space for a built in beer cooler.

Much more practical use of the space if you ask me.

Not if you have female children on board! Having the porta potty for her to pee in is going to make my fishing more enjoyable. And when a six year old wants to nap and watch a movie she can do that as well. I can keep on fishing.
I have no idea why your buddy couldn't empty a porta potty. My wife usually does this when we are tenting and it takes her a couple of minutes. But she doesn't let the little girl do anything but pee in it.

 

[Cheetah 210es]

Re: i shoulda bought a pontoon. anyone else feel that way?

Not if you have female children on board! Having the porta potty for her to pee in is going to make my fishing more enjoyable. And when a six year old wants to nap and watch a movie she can do that as well. I can keep on fishing.
I have no idea why your buddy couldn't empty a porta potty. My wife usually does this when we are tenting and it takes her a couple of minutes. But she doesn't let the little girl do anything but pee in it.

+1. Wife + 2 preteen girls = cuddy for me.

 

[Ryan50]

Re: i shoulda bought a pontoon. anyone else feel that way?

+1. Wife + 2 preteen girls = cuddy for me.

Thats why I just bought a cuddy. I wish wife would let me keep the bowrider too!

 

[ricohman]

Re: i shoulda bought a pontoon. anyone else feel that way?

Thats why I just bought a cuddy. I wish wife would let me keep the bowrider too!

I also had to sell my bowrider. I can see another one when the kids are bigger. But maybe I'll be the one needing a nap in the front of the Islander by then

 

[Sunsetrider]

Re: i shoulda bought a pontoon. anyone else feel that way?

I live on the water - inland lake. For the past 10 years we had a small (16 ft) 'toon and it fit the bill for us, after-dinner putts around the lake, rum & coke up the sleeve. Just great until the seat covers cracked and we got an older model 175 bow-rider. With the install of smart tabs we can still putt (sort of) around and we all enjoy the flexibility of the bow-rider much more than the toon. The bow-rider has inflicted 2-foot-itis on us (well, me) and I'm now tossing around the idea of a 24-ft cuddy/cruiser (straddles the line) ('94 Chappy Sig) with the freedom to live aboard for days at a time, trailer to larger lakes and longer rivers, sleep 4 and still have plenty of room up top for as many as we would ever want to bring along. Sweet to be able to get a $40K boat for $10K. With tandem trailer thrown in. And that 24 footer will still be good for those after-dinner lake cruises. Might not be able to close the boathouse door though . . .

Point is - every type of boat brings with it the potential for new horizons of fun and adventure.

The seating layout of the early 90s Chaparral Signature 24 looks terrific from my couch!

 

[BlkY2k]

Re: i shoulda bought a pontoon. anyone else feel that way?

I want one of these here slow toons.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DLRwkrBZzsA&feature=related

 

[boataway]

Re: i shoulda bought a pontoon. anyone else feel that way?

I also had to sell my bowrider. I can see another one when the kids are bigger. But maybe I'll be the one needing a nap in the front of the Islander by then

that's the thing... why give up the convenience of being able to go #1 and #2 in peace / nap when you can add space with that island float thing i posted? it's the best of both worlds!

i don't know why people say emptying out a potty is so hard. it's way easier than going to shore every time, by FAR. figure you only clean it out once every few weeks and it only takes a few minutes plus you don't have to touch any of the dirty stuff! i really don't get it...

 

[Mike Zee]

Re: i shoulda bought a pontoon. anyone else feel that way?

We got one of them 4 man tubes. Kids love hanging out on it. At anchor we tie a long rope to it a the kids float around, pulling themselves back to the boat when ready. You can usually find 2 of them sleeping on it when we stay out all night. It is very comfortable to sleep on! We tie it down on top of the boat when leaving, slightly wider than boat. Not to mention dragging the boys around on it all day. It was (for my family) one of the best boating items I ever bought. It really does free up space.

 

[boataway]

Re: i shoulda bought a pontoon. anyone else feel that way?

We got one of them 4 man tubes. Kids love hanging out on it. At anchor we tie a long rope to it a the kids float around, pulling themselves back to the boat when ready. You can usually find 2 of them sleeping on it when we stay out all night. It is very comfortable to sleep on! We tie it down on top of the boat when leaving, slightly wider than boat. Not to mention dragging the boys around on it all day. It was (for my family) one of the best boating items I ever bought. It really does free up space.

funny you should say that... i noticed in the dimensions that the 4 person is huge!

how do you inflate/deflate it and how long does that take? you're saying that it's strong enough to pull kids on? slow speed, right? thanks for the input. lowest price i see on this is $260. about what you paid?

 

[ericp501]

Re: i shoulda bought a pontoon. anyone else feel that way?

My gf saw a pontoon for the first time the other day and said "wow! Why didn't we get that!?" lol..

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: i shoulda bought a pontoon. anyone else feel that way?

+1. Wife + 2 preteen girls = cuddy for me.

I have a wife and 2 daughters on the water; grew up on the water with mother and 2 sisters (and dad). sailed with a girl cousin. No potties; no problem. Outdoors active people figure it out. when mom would say, "turn your head" we knew what to do.

Never heard of watching a movie on a boat, either. had plenty of worn out children nap, though.

 

[eli_lilly]

Re: i shoulda bought a pontoon. anyone else feel that way?

I've read a few times, from various people here, that a deck boat is a great blend between pontoon and traditional boat.

-E

 

[Cheetah 210es]

Re: i shoulda bought a pontoon. anyone else feel that way?

I have a wife and 2 daughters on the water; grew up on the water with mother and 2 sisters (and dad). sailed with a girl cousin. No potties; no problem. Outdoors active people figure it out. when mom would say, "turn your head" we knew what to do.

Never heard of watching a movie on a boat, either. had plenty of worn out children nap, though.

I never said it can't be done, people have been going without toilets on boats for centuries. A cuddy is MY personal choice.

 

[Philster]

Re: i shoulda bought a pontoon. anyone else feel that way?

I talked my buddy into buying a pontoon boat: Sheer brilliance.

Everyone needs a friend with a pontoon.

I just made friends with a guy who has his own beach and boat ramp on the Chesapeake. Giggity.

 

[ezmobee]

Re: i shoulda bought a pontoon. anyone else feel that way?

I'm trying to get my buddy to buy a pair of waverunners