Re: pontoon boats
Hey Aces Wild, #1 Thanks for posting this question, I knew we had a few Pontooners here, but didn't realize we had this many. <br /><br />#2, Now I own a Tritoon, with a big honker motor, built for more performance in mind, but I'll try to contain myself and answer your questions.<br /><br />The others gave great advise! I believe you will really enjoy the open area of the Pontoon Boat.<br />Because your not worried about speed, 75 hp should be OK for 20'. The first boat I ever pulled was this 25' Tritoon, and it was a 7 hour pull. I was a nervous wreck for the first few minutes, but it was only because of all the money I spent on it, and getting used to pulling it. 1 Hour later, the wife was asking me, "How fast are you going?" You may need some wide mirrors to see better around it, and get some head wind, but you'll adjust. I was pulling with a V-8 318 Dodge Pickup 1500. Never owned a V-6, so I would say stick to the others advise on that issue.<br /><br />So far as loading and unloading. Again first time I was nervous, once you do it, you'll find it is not all that difficult! In fact it is easier than other styles of boats, and takes less time. Not as much to hook up, etc. <br /><br />I have not put a trolling motor on mine yet, but I have seen other 2 log Pontoons using them, and they get in some real tight places, I wouldn't want to put mine in. <br /><br />Now lastly the Anchor! Yall can laugh all you want too, but here is what works for me. I am a weightlifter, and in a hurry to get underway, I took a 25 lb Olympic Weight (has the big hole in the middle) and ran a rope through the hole and cliped the rope back to itself, and lowered overboard. The 25 lb weight is heavier than the store anchors, and cheaper by the lb. It also hold the pontoon boat nicely and my boat is big, catches a lot of wind, and in some good current, the boat hold well. I also like the fact that the weight is flat, and easy to store and does not take up too much storage space. You can buy (2) 25 lb weights for $25.00 and they will take up less space that any two other anchors that equal 50 lbs. So far I have only had need for 1 25 lbs anchor, which holds me just fine.<br /><br />Good luck, check out those fishing model Pontoon boats, some of them are very nicely set up! I sometimes wished I would have geared more towards fishing than speed, and handeling! <br /><br />You also may wish to check out some of the sites which are geared more specificly towards pontoon boating! <br /><br />Hope this helps, look forward to tooning with ya!
Glad you got your toon! If I can answer any questions for ya or you just want to talk toons. E-Mail me. Happy tooning!