Pros and cons of a pontoon boat???

[guss az]

Hey everyone I'm thinkin on a 26' pontoon, i have never owned one I'm looking for some advise on it. I fish alot and like just hanging out swimming. Any info would be great.

thanks, Guss

 

[MH Hawker]

Re: Pros and cons of a pontoon boat???

Their very few draw backs to a pontoon, lots of room, easy up keep, low maintanace, simple to repair or rebuild. About the only draw back is it takes a lot more horse power for speed and can be a bit harder to anchor.

 

[oldjeep]

Re: Pros and cons of a pontoon boat???

They suck to tow and they are hard to fit in a garage. Other than that, they are a pretty good all around boat for people not into water sports (note tubing is not a water sport )

 

[H20Rat]

Re: Pros and cons of a pontoon boat???

They aren't ideal fishing platforms, because you are well above the water. Takes a long reach and a net to grab the fish you are reeling in. Other than that, the obvious disadvantages have been covered by the above posters already.

Also look around at some of the deckboats that are out. They have the speed and efficiency on plane that a regular boat does, but sacrifices rough water ride. (a 26 foot pontoon will handle some pretty serious water, a comparable deckboat will beat you to death.)

 

[superbenk]

Re: Pros and cons of a pontoon boat???

My kids (6 & 9, girls) want a pontoon because they like to just swim & play on the boat. They're kind of scared of water sports. My wife is too. I keep pushing for a bowrider, but sometimes I wonder if a pontoon wouldn't be nice just to putz around in. The deck boats are nice too & a very nice compromise to a bowrider, but they still aren't as cool

 

[bigdee]

Re: Pros and cons of a pontoon boat???

Pro: Unsinkable while moored to the dock unattended in a heavy rain!

 

[The Rooster]

Re: Pros and cons of a pontoon boat???

Pros - Just about everything !!!

Cons - No matter how much HP you put on the back, you're not going to impress the bikini clad group !!!

 

[egclassic]

Re: Pros and cons of a pontoon boat???

Pros - Just about everything !!!

Cons - No matter how much HP you put on the back, you're not going to impress the bikini clad group !!!

This one might!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DtbX_RZ3IXI&feature=related

Seriously though, I sold my ski boat for a pontoon. I love fishing from mine and theres alot more room to move about.

 

[JGator]

Re: Pros and cons of a pontoon boat???

Pros - Just about everything !!!

Cons - No matter how much HP you put on the back, you're not going to impress the bikini clad group !!!

Tell that to this crew

 

[Silver Eagle]

Re: Pros and cons of a pontoon boat???

The steering is very hard. There not very easy to load up on a trailer.Big boats like to see how close they can come up on you at a high speed.Not much good in a storm.

 

[superbenk]

Re: Pros and cons of a pontoon boat???

Tell that to this crew

Well they have a slide. That makes ALL the difference

 

[Old Screwball]

Re: Pros and cons of a pontoon boat???

We sold our 15' 255hp Seadoo Boat for the Party Barge. Really miss the speed, don't miss the cramped quarters, tooth rattling ride, or going airborne when you find that wake a little too late. 2nd grandchild and we ran out of seats. Room is not a problem anymore.

 

[jafo9]

Re: Pros and cons of a pontoon boat???

i agree with most of what was mentioned above. pontoons are great for what they are. they can even be a little of what they are not. pontoons are great people movers, swim platforms, floaters, etc. they are not true watersports machines. even the high HP models with triple toons and banking ability will never out pull or out handle an inboard boat. having said that, i've pulled lots of skiers, wake boarders, and tubes behind our 25' Premier PTX with a 225HP.

 

[treker]

Re: Pros and cons of a pontoon boat???

Wind on the water. It's not really that bad but makes thing a bit harder specially above 25kn's

 

[Rancherlee]

Re: Pros and cons of a pontoon boat???

Pros, ROOM.... And most types of fishing are easier except maybe back trolling walleye and tossing Bass/Musky plugs on a windy day. Great platform for downriggers and planer boards! I've got a swivel chair on each corner and set mine up with 3' of deck in front of the playpen for a nice casting platform. Trailering sucks on a windy day, loading on a trailer is EASIER that any other boat I've owner! Center guides on a bunk trailer make it a cake walk, even on a windy day.

Cons, have to take more people with you to the lake since to have the room Speed, but that can be somewhat negated with triple tube and strake designs. Bad in REALLY bad water with 3'+ rollers as your likely get water over the front of the deck.

 

[WaterDR]

Re: Pros and cons of a pontoon boat???

The only thing that bothers me about toonsis high winds. When wind speed gets over 20 mph and certainly 30, it becomes a problem.