Anybody have "old" pontoons?

[DeepCMark58A]

I have to start out by saying I am thrifty when it comes to toys, I will not finance a toy like a boat. My pontoon is 20 years old it is in ok shape I hope to get 1 more year out of the seats. The Honda 40 hp starts right up and runs good. I am gobsmacked when I sit in a new show floor pontoon at a dealer. I understand comfortable seating but what in the world do people need a dash full of gauges for? It is a simple craft why all the instrumentation? Seems like pontoons have become the fish/ski boats of the 90's not real well suited to do both.

I also have to realize that I am getting old and enjoy my recreation to be simple and easy, and not expensive. My go fast boat is a 1983 Lund Tyee, also old and simple with an updated motor. Biggest reason to not have new bright shiny toys is that when we moved to the lake it was to have a place for our kids to come and entertain, and family gatherings. Many weekends of the summer we will have a house full of guests up to enjoy the lake. My kids are not fools but I do not have to worry about scratches, dock dings or rashes when guests who are not proficient are on the boat.

 

[Scott Danforth]

My buds 50 year old Crest pontoon boat is being replaced by a bigger 25 year old pontoon. only being replaced because he got a great deal on the "newer" chassis and after 50 years of use, the old one needed another new deck and the M brackets to be re-welded again.

only gauge on the boat is the fuel gauge on the portable tanks.

there is a 200 watt stereo system.

 

[captmello]

I bought our '96 pontoon from the original owner roughly 12 years ago. we used it as is for a few years until the opportunity to keep it at the inlaws cabin on Leech lake,mn. I've done a bunch of work since,
new helm, all new upholstery, added a third tube, new carpet and decking, etc.
My toon has a tach, volt meter, fuel gauge, Omc engine monitor, depth finder, trim gauge, speedo. all gauges came original, however all have been updated with the new helm.
I appreciate the extra info since we are boating on a 100k acre lake.
I'm confident if I was to sell it I would recover all the money I've invested.
If I tried to keep up with the neighbors, I'd be broke and boatless. enjoy the boats you have!

 

[FLATHEAD]

The price of brand new boats is like everything else, a bit out of hand. Bass boats pushing $100,000

 

[DeepCMark58A]

The price of brand new boats is like everything else, a bit out of hand. Bass boats pushing $100,000

Pulled by a $100,000 suburban.

 

[DeepCMark58A]

I don't think my pontoon ever sees full throttle, unless the kids are driving it.

 

[legalfee]

We bought a 1995 Sylvan almost 9 years ago. We have put in new seats, vinyl floor, Bimini top, and repowered last year with a Suzuki 115.

 

[Grub54891]

I picked up a 1977 leisurecraft for $800 only because the motor was worth it. It was yellow and the floor was shot as well as no seating. Re-did the entire thing and its like new. Sure, the logs got a few dents but it floats fine. Cost was around $2000 after all the supplies. If I did it again, I'd put down some of that Vinal decking instead of carpet.
Powerd by a 85 or so mercurey 35 horse. No need to go fast on our 350-acre lake.

 

[jlh3rd]

2006 lowe trinidad 240, purchased used in 2015. upgraded in 2021 with new 115 Merc. last fall with new interior. double bimini tops have been replaced with oem tops. Smartcraft tach added a while back, GPS speedometer, dash wiring cleaned up, new switch covers, master battery and stereo switches added.
Two main batteries with selector switch and automatic charging selector.
porta potty. Grill.....
and just now, two new, free, pontoons ( a crazy story)....
gonna try the chesapeake bay this year.....

 

[1960 Starflite]

Two re-decks on my 24ft 1979 Harris Flote-Boat. 1st was carpet. Once you go vinyl you never go back. 1975 Mercury 50hp. Helm has Tach and Volt meter.
There are too many 300hp Tri-toons on our 1 mile by 7 mile Buckeye Lake.

 

[TN-25]

I always loved this picture from the 1974 Johnson brochure of a new 15 horse pushing a 20' pontoon boat:

 

[Toyelectroman]

Two re-decks on my 24ft 1979 Harris Flote-Boat. 1st was carpet. Once you go vinyl you never go back. 1975 Mercury 50hp. Helm has Tach and Volt meter.
There are too many 300hp Tri-toons on our 1 mile by 7 mile Buckeye Lake.

I boat on alum creek and there is a someone with dual outboards on there pontoon

 

[Scott Danforth]

one of our customers builds tri-toons with 2 450R's on it.....80mph on a pontoon......