2 things-
1st, I've been a dyed in the wool pontoon'er for MANY years. They've always suited my purpose and served me faithfully in an inland lake scenario. Now, I find my "mission" is changing slightly, as our stomping grounds now include a few rivers with access to the Gulf of Mexico. Now occasionally, I find myself needing to cover some country with my sea going patio. The pontoon will get us to our destination (eventually), but thinking something to do that more quickly would be easily justified. Now looking at alum deck boats so I can still pull it with our newish mid size SUV (frequently trailered). Likely a project boat, so I can re-do it my way.
2nd,
After MANY years of straight inboards, V drives, and I/O's, and loving all of them, I've gone to 4 stroke outboards, and consider them a HUGE improvement over anything I've ever owned. Less weight, less maintenance, less expensive to maintain (and no standing on your head to service), less expensive to replace (eventually), dramatically easier to winterize, and the same super quiet smooth operation (if not quieter and smoother). Will never go back to automotive based power again. -Al
