Looking to learn about pontoons

[kmelford]

Hello. I actually have two bass boats (BassCat and Champion) that I use frequently fishing tournaments year round. I'm thinking about buying a pontoon boat for family trips but I don't know a lot about them other than what I've learned when renting them a few times. We are thinking of using it on both fresh water and to cruise the local ocean marina's. I'm hoping a few of you can help kick start my learning process? Here's some of my initial questions:

Can these boats and trailers handle the occasional saltwater cruise in a calm marina? I realize it will require a thorough cleaning and flush.

What are the decks usually made of? It looks like they are wood supported by metal joists of some kind?

I'm planning to have up to 10 people on board. I'm thinking I need at least a 20' boat.

I will be setting it up with a trolling motor and electronics for fishing. Is an open deck in front of the railing important for fishing?

How big of motor can I get with a 20 to 24 foot pontoon?

Other?

Thanks for any info you can share!!!!

[Pulsare2020]

Hello. I actually have two bass boats (BassCat and Champion) that I use frequently fishing tournaments year round. I'm thinking about buying a pontoon boat for family trips but I don't know a lot about them other than what I've learned when renting them a few times. We are thinking of using it on both fresh water and to cruise the local ocean marina's. I'm hoping a few of you can help kick start my learning process? Here's some of my initial questions:

Can these boats and trailers handle the occasional saltwater cruise in a calm marina? I realize it will require a thorough cleaning and flush.

What are the decks usually made of? It looks like they are wood supported by metal joists of some kind?

I'm planning to have up to 10 people on board. I'm thinking I need at least a 20' boat.

I will be setting it up with a trolling motor and electronics for fishing. Is an open deck in front of the railing important for fishing?

How big of motor can I get with a 20 to 24 foot pontoon?

Other?

Thanks for any info you can share!!!!

I don't own one but I have friends with Tri-toons and I have been looking and researching them as I plan to buy one in the future. You want a Tri-toon (not a pontoon) especially for ocean and rough water useage as well as if you are going to load it with 10 people. I would consider 22 - 24 ft for 10 people as a minimum. Some manufactures make "salt water series" Tri-toons. Most have some type of composite wood deck with 10 year or longer warranty. Veranda brand has an interlocking aluminum floor fastened to their crossbeams so no wood at all in their floors. Most manufacturers make a "fishing version" often with swivel seats on the rear deck. You can get 22ft - 24ft Tri-toons rated for 300 HP if you get all their required options.

[kmelford]

Thank you for the info! I will check into tri-toons as well. Our ocean cruises will only be in calm marina's. We will not go out in the open water ever.

[tlefire]

Hello. I actually have two bass boats (BassCat and Champion) that I use frequently fishing tournaments year round. I'm thinking about buying a pontoon boat for family trips but I don't know a lot about them other than what I've learned when renting them a few times. We are thinking of using it on both fresh water and to cruise the local ocean marina's. I'm hoping a few of you can help kick start my learning process? Here's some of my initial questions:

Can these boats and trailers handle the occasional saltwater cruise in a calm marina? I realize it will require a thorough cleaning and flush.
Get a galvanized trailer. Just hose off the boat and flush the motor

What are the decks usually made of? It looks like they are wood supported by metal joists of some kind?
Most decks are wood with a lifetime warranty. And yes, supported by aluminum joists.

I'm planning to have up to 10 people on board. I'm thinking I need at least a 20' boat.
My 22 foot Bentley is rated for 15 people. I've had 9 on board with no problems.

I will be setting it up with a trolling motor and electronics for fishing. Is an open deck in front of the railing important for fishing?
The deck in front of the railing will only be 18 to 24 inches.

How big of motor can I get with a 20 to 24 foot pontoon?
Up to a 300......don't get to caught up in motor size. Pontoons are made for just cruising around. My pontoon with a 115 runs 32 mph with 3 people.

Other?
Tri-toons are nice, but to me, not worth the added cost.

Thanks for any info you can share!!!!

1

[barbarian]

Pontoons have evolved a lot over the last 25 years.
*Boats can easily handle going in saltwater. They are every where in saltwater in the surrounding Galveston, TX area and many live in the saltwater. Galvanized trailer will be the key to not buying a new trailer every so many years. 24' range will help if there is any wind. They handle it very well.
*Most decks are still built out of wood, but a couple of companies are doing aluminum decks which sound great to some because of no wood to rot, but most people in the industry I talked to say they come with more problems than the wood mostly due to their rigidity.
*For 8-10 people, IMO you should go with 23-24'. They are very common and quite possibly the most common. I would also suggest a tritoon because they handle can carry weight much better because of that extra toon. They also allow more HP.
*Fishing and cruising with 10 people will conflict with each other in design. Make sure the trolling motor is set up with an easily removeable bracket. They make a lot of pontoons that are set up for fishing in the front and/or the rear but that sacrifices seating for the big groups. You can get a 24' with extended aft deck in the rear and bow area that will give you 24 +/-" outside of the railing that would benefit you when fishing, but it will reduce inside the cage area.
*Most 24' will be rated for 200-300, but there are tritoons sporting 2-500's out there. Unless you go with one of the ultra expensive ones, the extra HP will only increase speed so much. Toons with lifting strakes will help get the boat out of the water a little. Some offer it on all 3 toons and some only in the middle. You will need HP more for power than speed from what you mentioned. I would look for a 24' with tritoons rated for at least a 250 with lifting strakes and an extended deck outside of the rails.

Go to Boat Trader and spend all day looking at the different set ups. I find most of their boats expensive, but they have a great filter system and 1000's to look at from your house to give you an idea of all the setup's they have now days. You will learn a lot simply by just searching and looking at pictures.

[kmelford]

Thank you for the detailed responses. That's extremely helpful!!!

It sounds like I can find one that will provide what I need. Your info seems more related to newer boats but not sure. I will likely be buying a used pontoon. Is there a specific year or cutoff when pontoons started to evolve into better quality?

Thanks again!

[barbarian]

Thank you for the detailed responses. That's extremely helpful!!!

It sounds like I can find one that will provide what I need. Your info seems more related to newer boats but not sure. I will likely be buying a used pontoon. Is there a specific year or cutoff when pontoons started to evolve into better quality?

Thanks again!

Not necessarily. Almost all of the older stuff you will see for sale is very run down. Not sure of your price range, but less than $10K will be in bad shape and old. 10-20 will be a coin flip. You can find some pretty current and good shape stuff as you get closer to $30.

[kmelford]

That's great insight!!! I'm thinking i will be in the $22K to $30K range.

[Dave A]

I have a 20' Godfrey, no way would i put 10 people on it. With me and the wife, daughter her husband and 2 grandchildren it's crowded, also check the weight capacity of the boat.

[barbarian]

I just bought a 22’ Bennington - 2018 used. Looks new for under 30 with a 4 stroke engine. Had 8 on it this weekend as everyone came home for Easter. My first toon in 25-30 years. It passed with flying colors. Easy cruise even with 15-18 mph winds gusting to 25 on a lake known for being rough on a calm day.

[Dave A]

Congratulations