To Pontoon or not to Pontoon

[voodoopat]

I recently purchased a home on Lake Murray (Columbia) SC, and I am planning to buy a boat this summer. I am new to boating, apart from some day trips with friends on bowriders and fishing boats back in Connecticut when I was younger.
I have been researching about boats and have been to several dealerships, and I am still undecided about what boat would be best for our family of 4 ( I have a 4 yr old and 7 year old). My wife wants to get a pontoon boat, but I am concerned that a pontoon would be too slow to do all the activities that we want to do on the lake (tubing, skiing, fishing, day trips). Lake Murray is a fairly large lake (48K acres), so the range/speed of some pontoons may be an issue.
My desired price range is around 20-22K. I could get a new 19 ft. bowrider at this price, but would also consider a pontoon / tritoon if I could get some decent speed and range. I like the extra space for the kids and extra guests, but don't want to sacrifice the ability to have a ski boat for me, and for the kids when they get older. The tritoon sounds like a good idea, but may be too pricey form my first boat.

Any thoughts?

 

[Jeep Man]

Re: To Pontoon or not to Pontoon

Have you considered a deck boat?

 

[voodoopat]

Re: To Pontoon or not to Pontoon

yes, I have considered a deck boat, but the only brands in my price range are Hurricane and Bayliner, and I have heard that their quality isn't too good.

 

[jdlough]

Re: To Pontoon or not to Pontoon

You NEED a deck boat. Search more. In my area, I know Starcraft has a NEW 19' 115HP 4 stroke OB basic deckboat for under $19K.

You're on a lake (even if it's BIG), so you don't have the headaches of dealing with coastal tide or SEVERE chop (which may be the only minor downside of shallow-V deckboats), so this kind of boat is totally made for you.

Minor bit of personal observations of deckboat history. In late 80's-early 90's, deckboats looked like pontoon tops attached to shallow 'V' regular boat bottoms. A great improvement over pontoons for all-around-boating.

Then mid-90's-early 2000's, deckboats in their prime. Nice shallow 'V', but cushy, roomy, comfortable, party and fishable decks.

Then, lotsa folks whined cuz the shallow 'V' is not a great ride in the chop, so late "90's-Now -- Regular steep 'V', and extra cushy topside - with extra price." Basically giant bowriders. Nice, if your area is not shallow (but my area IS, so I don't consider them a deckboat)

If you're on a deepwater lake, then the deckboat's intrinsic shallow advantage won't mean too much to you. But, there's more to deckboats nowadays then Hurricane. All the major boat-makers are totally on the bandwagon - some with improved ideas. Google the deck layouts of modern (and up to 10-year-old) deckboats to imagine just how much better the deck layout could be over any bow rider.

Deckboats are harder to find on the used markets (because there's not too many of them out there - and anyone who has one doesn't want to sell), but if there was ever a perfect deckboat-needing-buyer, you're it. Search harder.


Jim

 

[voodoopat]

Re: To Pontoon or not to Pontoon

believe me, I think that you are right. A deck boat sounds like that it would fit the bill. But I am not sure if I can buy a decent deck boat for $20-22K.

 

[smitty1258]

Re: To Pontoon or not to Pontoon

http://www.tahoesportboats.com/boat/?boat=3009

look around for an 08 model, should be just where you want on price.

 

[voodoopat]

Re: To Pontoon or not to Pontoon

thanks. I was looking at a Tahoe Q5i this weekend, but I would rather get the deck boat.

 

[Jeep Man]

Re: To Pontoon or not to Pontoon

yes, I have considered a deck boat, but the only brands in my price range are Hurricane and Bayliner, and I have heard that their quality isn't too good.

Hurricane I don't know about, but there have been many discussions on Bayliner brand on this forum. It might be an interesting read for you. It seems that Bayliner make a very worthwhile boat and, although made a mediocre boat a few decades ago, have improved dramatically. Instead of repeating opinions from some very well informed fellow forum contributors, I suggest you check out their comments.

 

[voodoopat]

Re: To Pontoon or not to Pontoon

ok, i will. thanks

 

[OldePharte]

Re: To Pontoon or not to Pontoon

Just because it is a pontoon, don't think that they are necessarily slow. I know of several that will exceed 80 mph. But one will pay dearly for that kind of speed.

I had a deckboat, but went to a triple tube pontoon as it rode a lot smoother in the heavy chop that I encounter. My Hurricane beat us to death.

My 25 foot pontoon goes about 35 mph with a 150 Honda pushing it.

The downside is that you will not find too many new units like mine in your price range. And used triple tube pontoons in decent shape are few and far between. At least in my area.

Personally, I would not go to a double tube pontoon for what you want to do.

You maybe better off with a open bow v-bottom.

 

[jdlough]

Re: To Pontoon or not to Pontoon

Voodoo,


If I you can't find a deckboat, I'd check the modern pontoon, or tri-toons. I've seen 300lb folks skiing behind one with a 150HP OB, no problems.

Jim

 

[jdlough]

Re: To Pontoon or not to Pontoon

believe me, I think that you are right. A deck boat sounds like that it would fit the bill. But I am not sure if I can buy a decent deck boat for $20-22K.

Yes you can!!! It may be 2-3 year old, with the motor warranty still good, but this is what you will eventually want.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: To Pontoon or not to Pontoon

Deckboat, i have both. 20 ft pontoon. great for the slow cruise. 1999 23 ft Chris Craft deckboat. seats 13, 5.7 Volvo Penta. ski, tube, plenty of room, and storage. it is the best all around boat i have ever owned.

you can easily but a 2-3 year old for your budget. let the original owner eat the new boat depreciation. 20% the first year, another 15% the second year. also get a trailer, don't get locked in the lake. easier when service is needed, and take it on vacation.

 

[rrhodes]

Re: To Pontoon or not to Pontoon

Whatever you decide test drive it first. I boat on Lake Murray every weekend and love it. It is a beautiful fun lake. The lake does get rough though. While other bowriders are getting beat to death I am still cruising in my pontoon without an issue.

In your price range I would consider looking for a used Deckboat or Pontoon. If you go with a Pontoon get at least a 150hp triple tube and you can do everything you want. With small kids a Pontoon would be perfect IMO.

Try to setup a test drive on the weekend when the lake is busy, During the week the water tends to be calm and you won't get a feel for how the boat handles the chop.

Let me know if you need any info about the lake.

 

[haulnazz15]

Re: To Pontoon or not to Pontoon

I vote either a bowrider or a deckboat. I don't care if the triple-tubes can et to 70mph, I don't want to have to have 450HP with outboards screaming and sucking fuel down to do it. The don't take heavy waves very well either. The pontoon version of taking a wave is the wave crashing of the bow. The deck boat gives you the same layout with more performance and most use an I/O configuration which is more fuel efficient and quieter.

For 20K you can find a 20-22 ft bowrider a couple of years old pretty easily which will have already taken out much of the depreciation hit from a new boat. I'd go a couple years old to gain a couple of feet for the same price if it were me.

 

[rrhodes]

Re: To Pontoon or not to Pontoon

The don't take heavy waves very well either. The pontoon version of taking a wave is the wave crashing of the bow. .

Unless you are talking about offshore waves I disagree. My toon only has a 115hp on it so it is not a speed demon but when Lake Murray gets rough I still run 27mph while the Plaining hulled boats slow down to keep from beating the passengers to death.

Like I said before setup a couple of test drives and see which one you like best. I am not going to say a Pontoon is better than a Deckboat, They both have good and bad points about them. It takes more HP to push a pontoon than it does to push a Deckboat the same speed but a Pontoon will give you a smoother ride, O/B will extend your boating season. In SC the Winters are not long but there are days that are nice enough in DEC to hit the lake. With an O/B the only thing you have to do is treat the fuel to Winterize.

When the gas prices hit $4+ per gal I like having a floating living room.

 

[haulnazz15]

Re: To Pontoon or not to Pontoon

Unless you are talking about offshore waves I disagree. My toon only has a 115hp on it so it is not a speed demon but when Lake Murray gets rough I still run 27mph while the Plaining hulled boats slow down to keep from beating the passengers to death.

I have seen many large wakes and lots of white-capping chop on my lake which goes over the bow of a pontoon because they ride on top of the wave and don't cut through the wave. It's just a function of their design. In light chop or glass water they move just fine.

 

[rrhodes]

Re: To Pontoon or not to Pontoon

I think a lot depends on the size and design of the pontoon. I have been in some rough water on Lake Murray and have never had water over the bow. It is a 3 tube 25' and I keep the weight to the rear in rough water.