Can a pontoon be "trailer-able"

[mippel]

Hi,
We currently have a 18 foot bowrider that lives in our garage. The Admiral doesn't like it when i go fast 30 +, so most of the time we use it is for swimming and just cruising looking at the houses (there is nothing wrong with that). We also have a 4yo that likes to play and swim. So skiing and tubing fast are not in our future for a few years. So on one of the last outings, the wife could not get comfortable. So i started to think about a pontoon. Something in the 18 - 20 foot cruiser range with at least a 40+ hp motor. Could this be a trailer-able boat (live its life only on a trailer)? It would sit in the drive way and be towed to local lakes and the river like the bowrider? I know that it would not fit in the garage, but i hope that a playpen cover would keep the rain out, and if water got in, the flat floor would let the water drain better then a fiberglass bowrider. Is it easy to launch a toon with one person like a bowrider (admiral watches the daughter, an IMPORTANT job)? From what I have seen, a pontoon in that range is a lot lighter them my 18 foot @ 2450lbs plus gas and trailer. So i guess my major question is this, am i crazy thinking that a pontoon could work like that?

Thanks in advance for all the replies.

 

[Boss Hawg]

Re: Can a pontoon be "trailer-able"

Well, I have a 20' Tracker & can answer yes to all questions-
Best thing i ever did (wife agrees) was trad up to a Pontoon!

 

[Big Bubba]

Re: Can a pontoon be "trailer-able"

Mippel,
You and especially your wife will love a pontoon boat. I own a pontoon boat and it sits on the single axle drive on bunk style trailer when it is not on the lake and it has a custom made snap on cover that has tent poles in the center to keep the rain off the deck. My wife hated going boating when I had a 1989, Chaperal Bowrider 16 footer. So I sold it and bought a 20 foot Pontoon Boat made by Lowe model 202 with a 70 horse Johnson outboard and she absolutely loves it and I think she wants to go boating more than me know, LOL. One more thing, a pontoon boat is very easy to load and unload. I think easier than a bowrider.

 

[MH Hawker]

Re: Can a pontoon be "trailer-able"

A pontoon boat is a lot easer to load that most bow riders. 5 times more comfortable to ride around on and are perfect family boats , you wont regret owning one.

 

[Nightfisher-]

Re: Can a pontoon be "trailer-able"

I have found pontoons to be the easiest boat to trailer, launch, and retrieve. Mind you my only other boat launching experience has been with a 14ft jon on a bunk trailer and a 19ft dual console fish/ski type boat on a roller trailer. Be sure your trailer has good inside guide on boards and it will nearly put itself back on the trailer. As long as the wind is not bad that is. Wind is one of the major cons to pontoon boating. Sitting high on the water and all those flat sides don't mix well with wind. For safety, comfort, ease of use, and versatility toons are tough to beat, especially for a family with small children or people like me who care nothing for going fast.

 

[Rancherlee]

Re: Can a pontoon be "trailer-able"

bunk, I repeat, BUNK trailer. Pontoons are great trailer rigs if you get a BUNK trailer with center guides. You should have a decent size tow vehicle though (explorer/tahoe/ 1/2ton/ect.), Lots of wind resistance AND they get pushed around by crosswinds pretty easy.

 

[Davem3]

Re: Can a pontoon be "trailer-able"

this convinces me even more, time for the truck, then find the boat ................

 

[theBrownskull]

Re: Can a pontoon be "trailer-able"

Pontoons are easy to trailer and can be used for what you want I just have not made the step yet.

 

[Boss Hawg]

Re: Can a pontoon be "trailer-able"

bunk, I repeat, BUNK trailer. Pontoons are great trailer rigs if you get a BUNK trailer with center guides. You should have a decent size tow vehicle though (explorer/tahoe/ 1/2ton/ect.), Lots of wind resistance AND they get pushed around by crosswinds pretty easy.

Beg to differ--A float on doesn't need any add on guides, just be sure it has stops up front!!

 

[Rancherlee]

Re: Can a pontoon be "trailer-able"

Don't like the skinny float on rail trailers. They are great if you only launch/remove your boat once a year and don't have far to travel. The skinny wheel base on those trailers are prone to tipping if you need to make a quick manuver to avoid an accedent. I had one, built a bunk trailer (due to 3rd tube) and it trailers so much better. I've seen many pontoons at insurance auctions with damage caused from float on rail trailers dumping on there side.

 

[Boss Hawg]

Re: Can a pontoon be "trailer-able"

Don't like the skinny float on rail trailers. They are great if you only launch/remove your boat once a year and don't have far to travel. The skinny wheel base on those trailers are prone to tipping if you need to make a quick manuver to avoid an accedent. I had one, built a bunk trailer (due to 3rd tube) and it trailers so much better. I've seen many pontoons at insurance auctions with damage caused from float on rail trailers dumping on there side.

Well, opinons vary i guess---
Been using mine over 3 yrs back & forth to a lake 35 miles one way -I can launch in less water, make tighter turns, park it in tighter spots & get on & off without having to have a ladder- If you have to make a move drastic enuff to dump it you have MUCH worse things to worry about than bending the boat :facepalm: The one thing i don't like is the thought of changing a flat on the side of a road without a nice level shoulder

 

[sccatfish]

Re: Can a pontoon be "trailer-able"

Don't like the skinny float on rail trailers. They are great if you only launch/remove your boat once a year and don't have far to travel. The skinny wheel base on those trailers are prone to tipping if you need to make a quick manuver to avoid an accedent. I had one, built a bunk trailer (due to 3rd tube) and it trailers so much better. I've seen many pontoons at insurance auctions with damage caused from float on rail trailers dumping on there side.

I agree with this. After only loading towing a pontoon a few times with one of these it's clear that when I build my pontoon it will not have a float on trailer. Not only is the width too small but it doesn't hold the boat high enough from the road. It does make it very easy to unload, but that is the only good thing I have to say about it.

 

[Silver Eagle]

Re: Can a pontoon be "trailer-able"

I agree with this. After only loading towing a pontoon a few times with one of these it's clear that when I build my pontoon it will not have a float on trailer. Not only is the width too small but it doesn't hold the boat high enough from the road. It does make it very easy to unload, but that is the only good thing I have to say about it.

We have a 24 ft pontoon boat. with a 90 hp merc. Now I'm 70 years old and my wife is younger not much though. They are easy to tow especially with the 2004 Dodge quad cab 4x4 Hemi. I found that if I leave the front door open it tows better and my truck gets better gas mileage .As for loading it's a pain in the rear. Launching is ok. Always make sure that you pump the fuel before starting. We travel mostly in rough water like the head water's of the Chesapecke Bay. Lots of waves, especially on weekend. It's never been on a lake. Keep your safety equipment up to date. I don't know what you mean by a float on trailer, How else will you get the boat on the trailer. Owers is a bunk job. Not a screw up jack type.Those have there wheels too close width ways.travel with your top closed. ,the gas will last longer.

 

[gpfishingdude]

Re: Can a pontoon be "trailer-able"

I hope to be able to load out the next time without having to throw a line to the upwind dock. I have tightened the inside guide posts to where they don't rock towards the inside now. I added a set of 42" outside guide posts to keep the back end from floating side to side. The last time we loaded out I didn't get the back end exactly straight and even but bouncing down the washboard road helped it to align itself.

 

[MH Hawker]

Re: Can a pontoon be "trailer-able"

Originally Posted by Rancherlee

Don't like the skinny float on rail trailers.

I belive thats known as a scissor trailer.

 

[Boss Hawg]

Re: Can a pontoon be "trailer-able"

I belive thats known as a scissor trailer.

It is indeed-
Most that dislike them have never really used them for any length of time to get used to them- Only real difference (that is complained about) is a bit of "swaying" on a rough surface at slower speeds -Just guessing of course-

 

[newbie4life]

Re: Can a pontoon be "trailer-able"

We have a scissor trailer -- and there are pros and cons to both for sure. I didn't like how ours 'tipped' when we turned corners, and came back to level. I added shocks to it, and it's definitely better... but it's still not like getting a wider stance with the other type of trailer. But it is... WAY easy to load. We keep our pontoon at our campground, about 4 miles from the ramp, so it's not terribly far to travel. But when I take it home 25 miles away, I am hesitant to say the least.

But I agree... my biggest worry is when I get a flat. That will not be a fun day for sure.

 

[gpfishingdude]

Re: Can a pontoon be "trailer-able"

We left the lake in a rain storm with a little wind today. Fixing the inside guide ons and adding the 42" guide posts along the outsides toward the stern really did the trick. Launched in a matter of a couple of minutes and reloaded back on even faster in the wind and rain. I think the next project is new bunk boards for the trailer.

 

[jkust]

Re: Can a pontoon be "trailer-able"

It's to the point now that I see pontoons almost more than bowriders depending on the day however almost never and I mean never used as a trailer boat. They are a great second boat for your exact purpose for people living on the lake. The few times I've seen them trailered, they were probably too long to be used as a trailer boat and the drivers really struggeled with the short parking spots. On a decent sized pontoon, the type I'd be interested in owning, the beam alone makes them unruly for a trailer boat. Last week I saw some 300hp tritoons on one of the bigger lakes we were at and they looked like a pontoon I'd like to have.

 

[Boss Hawg]

Re: Can a pontoon be "trailer-able"

It's to the point now that I see pontoons almost more than bowriders depending on the day however almost never and I mean never used as a trailer boat. They are a great second boat for your exact purpose for people living on the lake. The few times I've seen them trailered, they were probably too long to be used as a trailer boat and the drivers really struggeled with the short parking spots. On a decent sized pontoon, the type I'd be interested in owning, the beam alone makes them unruly for a trailer boat. Last week I saw some 300hp tritoons on one of the bigger lakes we were at and they looked like a pontoon I'd like to have.

I agree newer pontoons are getting a bit outragous in size & rigging-
Mines a 20' I redid for fishing - Plenty of open room to move around & sunbath or take naps
I trailer it 30mi to the lake about every weekend during the "season".