SUN TRACKER FISHIN' BARGE 20 DLX w/90 ELPT FourStroke Command Thrust

[uncleslam]

I was thinking of buying a discounted leftover 2018 as my first toon (under $25k). Wondering if anyone has one like this? Want something that can do it all, mostly on small lakes 100 - 500 acres. Would I need to add a center toon to get good handling for tubing and wakeboarding? Thanks

 

[ahicks]

If I had my 'druthers on a "do it all" boat, I would have toons equipped with lifting strakes for sure, conventional 2 tube or w/center. If you think you might need a center tube, you're likely going to want to order up some extra power - to maybe 150hp. You can easily get away without it with a 90, but when you get up over 115 or so, you're going to have to figure another expensive option, which is hydraulic steering. Goin fast aint cheap!

After being converted a couple of seasons ago, I am now a dyed in the wool 4 stroke convert. That is THE way to go for pontoon boats!

 

[HotTommy]

My main concern with the OP's plan is that it won't take much load to change it from a good boat to a poor one. For example, I think it would do fine for two normal size adults to take two preteens tubing. Add two more adults or swap the preteens for teens and its a different matter. ... BTW, pontoon boats don't produce much of a wake, so don't count on doing the big wave type of wake boarding.

 

[uncleslam]

Good advice, I am willing to accept the compromises to stay in our budget under $25k (I had a 2018 20dlx w/90hp priced out with trailer for $28k with tax and title out the door, 60hp is two grand less). Going to try and see what I can find on the 1-3 year old market. I dont want to take a huge depreciation hit, so I typically buy used. But I have to start somewhere for a base, and this model seem alright for that purpose at very least.

 

[ahicks]

With water sports in mind, you'll need to be careful with your power options. Our Honda 90 on a conventional 24' boat does a nice job tubing until you get up into the bigger guys. Grand kids love it!

 

[MRS]

I just bought the same pontoon you are looking at but it is a 2019 it will work good for tubing. But I think that is all you will get out of it now if you fish it is sweet got scotty pole holders all around the rails plus a bait cutting board that fits into the scotty holder so is removable. So far still breaking in the motor and loving it.seems like it will run right around 30mph or a hair under. That is with two of us and a 92lb. dog he loves it more room for him than on the boat so it is dog approved.
You do not anything with less than the 90hp you would hate it.

 

[MRS]

Ok finally running wot got 24.5mph with bimini up and 27.6 with it down. Two adults and a 92.lb dog on board with little wind.

 

[ahicks]

That's pretty much right on the money for a good running 90 on a 'toon that's not loaded down with a bunch of weight on board.

 

[monty49]

I have the same boat and engine. I cruise between 15 and 20 and top speed is 26.7 wot. I am happy with that but what really impresses me as i have come from an 18' f & s with a 125 Mercury Classic 2cstroke is the fuel usage I have just came from a 10 day fishing trip. Lost a couple of day due to weather otherwise was out every day. Mostly fishing but went for a cruise at the end of each day. I have not actually filled the tank for an accurate fuel check but I am still showing about a half tank. The gauge has proven to be fairly accurate. Great cruise range! Compared to the 2 stroke the 4 stroke sips fuel

 

[ahicks]

Yes, sipping the fuel for sure. We live on a lake, so our 90hp Honda is used frequently. Mostly cruising for us, and I'm thinking we only used 2 6 gal. tanks of gas this summer. When you add the fact they are difficult to hear running, THAT makes them a near perfect solution for pontoon boats at the very least.

I would advise those that are skeptical of the 4 strokes to stay away from them, for they will quickly become 4 stroke converts as well if they were exposed to them....

 

[monty49]

Yep, very quiet to boot.