looking to buy a fiberglass toon project. what to look for

[wolfe1974]

hello,

I am looking to buy a 18ft pontoon that has fiberglass pontoons. I know it is older but in good shape. I don't have a specific year. my question is other than visual inspection of the toons what else should I be looking for. what is the construction on the inside of these. and would a 1974 135hp evinrude be too much for an 18ft. also what kind of weight will this rig be to tow. thanks for any info you can provide.

 

[wolfe1974]

Anyone have any experience at all with fiberglass toons?

 

[ahicks]

A little, and none any good, but, these were all older boats. Things may have changed regarding something newer than the 70's and 80's stuff I've been around.

I would think the weight of a 135 would completely overwhelm an 18'. That's me though...

 

[biglurr54]

i would check stringers and transom. Odds are in an older boat like that they are bad. Theres a reason why fiberglass pontoons arent around. They weigh a ton and are impossible to replace stringers and transoms. Let me guess your getting a great deal on the boat. I would say do yourself a favor and look into an aluminum one. Any one who can use a drill and a circular saw can replace the floor and transom. The aluminum will last forever. I hate to see you waste money on a glass pontoon to find out why they were never popular.