BAWC Forums

They go in garages, right? :d err:

So, Vira got the itch last fall when we rented a pontoon and took the family out for the day. It was wonderful! Especially in a covid world where you need to get out and avoid people.

And maybe that's coming to an end? Maybe not...but let's talk boats.

I want pontoon under 10k. I think this is doable, but I also notice there are a lot less pontoons for sale then there were last fall when I started pondering this.

A little research tells me we want a 115-150hp motor to have a pontoon that's spry and not sluggish on the water. 175-200hp is for 'speed' getting someone up on skies. That's not really a priority, so I think 115-150hp is good.

I found a "looks like a good boat" (to me) pontoon for $7500, with a 30hp motor. Okay...so I can just buy an upgraded motor, no?

Are most outboard motors interchangeable? Is there a 'fitting' you need to look for?

Also, why are there so many 5HP motors for sale??? They look like 'full size' outboard motors, not trolling motors. I don't get it. I'm not finding too many 100hp+ motors for resale on FB marketplace/Craigslist.

And before anyone says 'a boat is a hole in the water you throw money into', I know. The best day will be buying it, and eventually selling it. Even if I only keep it a year or two, it'll be an experience. I'm not waiting to get any older before trying this or not.

Outboards are generally interchangeable. They just mount on the transom and you have a fuel, starter, and steering hydraulics from what I remember. It’s been years since I’ve been on a boat but I grew up on them.

Boats are rated for diff HP rating. Usually to go over 150 on a pontoon you need tri toons.

Feel free to message me any questions of boats! Love them.


Coop

I don’t know much about boats. Maybe I just prefer dry land.

Also when looking at motors you need to know 2 stroke vs 4 stroke.

2 stroke you can have less HP and same power as a 4 stroke. So my dads pontoon had a 75 Yamaha 2 stroke and swapped to a 4 stroke 115 Yamaha. Same mph. But 4 stroke got 2 times the gas mileage.

Stay away from mercs.


Coop

Coop, what do you think of this?


1992 Fisher Pontoon 24 ft deluxe cruiser

That’s a decent boat, pontoons have been cleaned. Carpet isn’t ripped, seats will prob want to be redone after another 2yrs. That 70 will be no speed Demon but it will get down a lake decent. It’s a 2 stroke though.

I would ask if it’s been winterized, lower unit oil change and gas treated. Most 2 strokes get hard to start when cold but easy once warmed up. Also they seem to like certain RPM’s, no biggie just be aware when driving it. 24 foot will turn like a bus. A bus with a welded rear diff.

Overall for that price it isn’t bad at all though...minus green. Lol.


Coop

Also they have no pics of the top open. Make sure you open it and look at it. They arnt expensive if they are bad but it would deff be talked about when buying.

Coop

How about this one? I think it's super cool.

1993 Hurricane midship

[quote=""vegasidol""]How about this one? I think it's super cool.

1993 Hurricane midship[/quote]

More of a deck boat, they are cool....but not. So you have a fiberglass hull, you have to handle it different. You can pull that pontoon to any beach and not worry, gotta be careful with the fiberglass. Also, those tables and other things are cool till you realize you don’t use them and almost all take them out for the room.

It would be faster, and you would prob “look” cooler. The seats have been redone...poorly. Also seems like it’s been garage kept with is nicer than the lift but because you have to have it on a lift for the water and you don’t the pontoon.

Also don’t know where you are laking it but if there are shallow spots the pontoon the engine will tilt all the way out of the water, this thing will always need a couple feet. So if it’s a deep lake the. Whichever, if it’s more a shallow lake then keep this in mind. It will have lots more power though which is nice. Need to know when the water pump for the exhaust was last changed our and the lower unit changed as well. It’s a heavy boat for sure and will use more fuel.

It’s what you are looking to do, I find if your going out all day, a pontoon and it’s Bimini are huge in keeping from sunburn. Even myself, knowing better, seasoned in the sun, will get burned without some shade on my shoulders or arms.


Coop

[quote=""DCIV""]More of a deck boat, they are cool....but not. So you have a fiberglass hull, you have to handle it different. You can pull that pontoon to any beach and not worry, gotta be careful with the fiberglass. Also, those tables and other things are cool till you realize you don’t use them and almost all take them out for the room.

It would be faster, and you would prob “look” cooler. The seats have been redone...poorly. Also seems like it’s been garage kept with is nicer than the lift but because you have to have it on a lift for the water and you don’t the pontoon.

Also don’t know where you are laking it but if there are shallow spots the pontoon the engine will tilt all the way out of the water, this thing will always need a couple feet. So if it’s a deep lake the. Whichever, if it’s more a shallow lake then keep this in mind. It will have lots more power though which is nice. Need to know when the water pump for the exhaust was last changed our and the lower unit changed as well. It’s a heavy boat for sure and will use more fuel.

It’s what you are looking to do, I find if your going out all day, a pontoon and it’s Bimini are huge in keeping from sunburn. Even myself, knowing better, seasoned in the sun, will get burned without some shade on my shoulders or arms.


Coop[/quote]

Well! That answers that.

I think it sounds like we still at 'easy' and 'starter boat' level.

'Easy' being relative here...