Wednesday, August 20, 2008

Used Pontoon Boats - Deck Boat vs Pontoon boat

Hi gang, Rick Ostler here from North American Waterway bringing you Used Pontoon Boats along with news and views from the boating industry. In one of my boating forums I subscribe to, a recent discussion was about buying a Deck Boat vs Pontoon Boat? Here are some interesting comments.

We are looking at getting a bigger boat
(our bass boat is a bit small!) We have a large family, and want something that can carry 12+ persons. 14 would be good. We saw a pontoon boat that had some kind of wings on the bottoms of the pontoons that would allow it to plane out. but, it was kind of small. I think it was an 18 footer. Too small for us. It also had smaller pontoons. If w got a 24' one, with these wings, how big of motor would it need?

Deck boats appear to be faster, and better suited to us. But, I really don't know. None of the rental places around here have them. Any pros or cons that you know? We want to pull a tube, and probably skiers too, but our oldest kid is now 9 yrs old. But, our older son, (8 yrs old) loves anything like that. He will be a skier.

We want to fish, ski, and get wet!
Thanks! Nate

Comments;

1. Not sure if you can get 14 people on a deck boat but they IMO are better than a Pontoon, for the items you mentioned, Look at Hurricane deck boats.

http://www.hurricaneboats.com/?CFID=10752646&CFTOKEN=89095502

To me Pontoon are for slow cruising the lake but not any sort of rough water. Support your commerical fishermam, cus they smell like !!!!!......John

2. Dont know if a pontoon boat will give you the torque and holeshot for waterskiing abiet I have only been on once. Spent some days recently on a Hurricane deck boat outboard powered. Very comfortable for cruising, easy on/off the boat lift, shallow draft and handled the short chop well-plenty of seating . Fishable I guess but with all the cushions I dont know. Plenty of torque if water skiing or tubing-keep in mind your kids in 5 years will be quite larger.

3. I had a Chapparal Sunesta 25' deckboat for some time...rated to hold 14 people and was powered with a 350 mercruiser. Had plenty of power and would top out about 45 mph. There are plenty of used ones out there. In fact, I saw one the other day that had a 502 mercruiser in it - I am sure that thing hauled a$$.

4. Here you go! Pontoon, you can't go wrong with this one from South Bay. I saw this on You Tube. 600HP Pontoon boat top speed 71mph. This would turn some heads this is being delivered to some folks here on Lake Lanier.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SCEF6zOFj2o&feature=related

Here are some pics of the motor
http://www.nutsandboltsfishing.com/smf/index.php?PHPSESSID=76f38e5b...

5. If it is going to be used in salt water, go with a deck boat for sure. If it is going to be fresh water only, there are pontoon boats that will fit your needs. Pontoon boats should be lighter and cheaper as well. Just look around at the different sizes and models of boats to see horsepower and people capacities.

You can get some of the boats in a triple toon model that may fit your needs even better. The third pontoon allows the boat to carry more weight and horsepower. We had a 22 foot Lowe pontoon with a 90hp motor on it. The speedo showed us running about 25mph when wide open, and it was rated for an even bigger motor.

6. Manitou pontoon boats has a 24' rated for 12 people and will handle like a ski boat. Here's a video http://www.manitouboats.com/main/modules.php?name=Products&op=fSear...

7. A guy I know has a Lowe aluminum deck boat that has tons of room in it, 90 merc. I haven't been in it, but he says he likes it. Just another alternative. I think it's 24' (Tahiti?)

Thanks to; Boating & Fishing Forum - Deck Boat vs Pontoon boat

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