Hey folks I'm Roger. I'm new on this site. I'm looking for information about pontoon boats. Primarily about the structuer construction. I recently looked at a well known brand and saw the deck bolted to the tunes and some trim fastened with pop rivets. I can't see that holding up in coastal areas. I plan to purchase a new or late model pontoon soon. I hope someone has some information that will help. Thanks
I'm sure they will but some are better than others. I'm not worried they will fall apart but come apart. Is allweld better? Are there any lines that are built for coastal areas. Are tri toones better? Just looking for advice. Thanks for getting it started.
Are you worried about stress from rough conditions or corrosion from brackish waters? I don't think pontoons handle very high seas very well.A tritoon would probably do better.
The one I looked at was made of aluminum and stainless below a floor of treated plywood. The metal and wood will last for years. The top deck and the toons were fastened together with 3/8 stainless bolts. The welded brackets of various legnths were made of 1/8 inch aluminum. Are all pontoon boat made this way? The toon top trim was attached by small 1/4 inch pop rivets. Whitch brands hold up to the rougher coastal conditions. I will primarily use the boat in bays and inland marsh. When conditions permit I will go to some of the closer islands. Seas 1 to 2 or less but there is always the wave action. I've seen first hand the affect it has. I'd like to hear from all. Just tell me about your boat.
The construction you mention is typical for pontoon boats. I have a 24' middle-of-the-road Bentley that is often operated in 1 to 2 foot fresh water lakes with no problems.
As I said before, if you and your passengers are comfortable and dry, any pontoon boat will safely get you to your destination. Of course common sense must prevail in all boating activities.
Two foot seas on a pontoon will be a wet and dangerous ride. Remember, this is a displacement hull and with a flat deck, any water over the bow turns this boat into a submarine. They simply do not ride well over waves and can best be described as flat water to moderate chop boats. Let me put this in perspective for you. At about 10 - 15 mph a wave over the bow causes the boat to pitch down. The deck becomes a diving plane just like those on a submarine. The net effect is the sharply downward pitch throws people forward. At some point the bouyancy of the boat and the fact that the prop has come out of the water, causes it to stop going down and because it is at an angle, it pitches backward and up. This happens at frightening speed and the people are now pitched over the bow rail or against it. How do i know this? Just such a scenario was tested by yours truly during a river survey of potential bridge construction sites. All of us got wet and fortunately nobody was run over. The cause??? Too many people at the bow when the bow wave from a barge washed over the bow.
I recently purchased my first pontoon and use it on the coast. The only toon I found that was specifically for salt water is made by Fiesta. I found little difference in structure across brands when comparing models and eventually bought a 22 ft 06 Manitou Osprey Pro with a 90 Honda. Top speed with 5 adult males and fishing gear is 17. Manitou recommended putting anodes on each toon and painting the toons. Opted not to paint after talking with Fiesta, who did not feel it was necessary since I trailer the boat and do not leave it in the water. Great ride, even when caught by incoming storm in the sound. Biggest challenge is casting a shrimp net since my deck is totally enclosed.
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