Spectrum Pontoon info.

[havinfun51]

I am considering to purchase a 20' Spectrum, however the current owner bought it used, did not register it and has no idea what year it is. The pontoons are square, something I've never heard of, they are aluminum and have Spectrum stamped in them. That seems to be all he knows about it.
It has been sitting for over 8 years.
The plywood decking is covered with carpet but rotting off, however there is aluminum plate under that, which might make a good enough deck if properly treated.
This boat is really tired, but may have a future.
Is this something to consider or stay away from?

 

[EGlideRider]

Re: Spectrum Pontoon info.

Personally, I would stay away from square pontoons. They are not as strong as round ones and are much easier to puncture.

Having said that, if the price is near 'free' and you are a 'project' type guy, then it may make an interesting project.

 

[lmuss53]

Re: Spectrum Pontoon info.

Somewhere near the Starboard Stern, probably on the back of that tube is the HID, the year should be the last 2 digits.

There is one of those for sale near me I think they are calling it a mid 80's boat.

I had a 1998 Spectrum/Fisher/Tracker (yes all three) 19 Fish that was a good boat. It was a Spectrafish 19 that was titled as a Tracker boat. It is still in the water at Raystown and looking good.

 

[5150abf]

Re: Spectrum Pontoon info.

I just did a search and came up with this oddly enough

http://www.iboats.com/Spectrum_Boats__/bp/42br2317bt7

If the deck is rotting off you are going to have to strip the boat and rebuild it right out of the gate, and I don't think the aluminum under the deck will work as decking unless it is very very thick plate, it is more than likely a wave sheild and would never support any kind of weight, so you are in for replacing the wood.

Unfortunately that requires stripping the boat down, rails console furniture all have to be removed, the deck replaced then everything put back on the boat, if you aren't willing to do that walk away now, if you are you could end up with a very nice boat.

 

[lmuss53]

Re: Spectrum Pontoon info.

I clicked the link and I think it's wrong. Tracker came into the Fisher Spectrum picture in 1997 I'm almost sure. Prior to that Fisher and Spectrum were part of Brunswick Marine. My '98 boat was bought from a Fisher/Spectrum Dealer but the titles (both boat and trailer) said Tracker Marine. In PA boats were not required to be titled until March of 1998, and I bought mine in February of '98. I never applied for a title until 2000 or so when my Credit Union asked me to, that might be a reason for the Tracker title on the Spectrum boat, since Spectrum was absorbed into the new company by then. In '99 the dealer dropped Fisher and Spectrum and went to Tracker for a couple of years and then stoppred selling fishing boats. In any case I was always happy with my F/S/T pontoon and wouldn't hesitate to buy another.

The one you are describing here sounds like a major project, it is doable but it is a pretty big undertaking. If you've got a place to put it there is time for the project this year, so if the price is good and you're up for the job go for it. Look at some of the redecking posts here and you'll see what is involved. I think there is a pretty in depth post, with good pics not to far down the page.

Here's the post I was talking about, kinda walks you thru it with pics.
http://forums.iboats.com/showthread.php?t=446387

 

[vergil]

Re: Spectrum Pontoon info.

i am under taking a very frustrating project, (a mid 60s) riveria cruiser, and right off the bat i knew it would need a deck, so for a very resonable price, i got the boat. things i didnt look at i wished i had was if the hardware is stainless steel,(cuase if its not and rusty, which so far everyone i have came too is) youll spend days cutting off bolts, what kind of motor is on it? what is the price? etc.. the selling point for my pontoon was the motor (it has a very nice johnson stinger 75 on it) if it has a motor on it compression check it.
make sure he dont owe a bunch of back taxes on it?