Toon newb, previous bow rider

BartMan · **Posted:** Wed Jul 20, 2011 3:05 pm

Hi,

Can't stand the wait. I ordered a new 2012 Bentley 240 Cruise SE (24'), 115 HP Merc 4 stroke, hydraulic steering, double bimini, underskinning, dual battery w/switch, and a Captain' chair for the console (the Admiral insisted). Only been a week since I ordered and two more weeks to go before delivery.

I've had a 20' bow rider for a while in the past, and my Father-in-law has a 44' Presidential trawler with twin diesels that I use to borrow a lot moored in League City, TX. Not new to boating, just new to Pontoons. I'm only four miles away from the St. John river and Lake Monroe in Florida.

I have twin girls who are almost three. That is the main reason for getting a 'toon. Safe and allows them to move around which will keep my wife and I out on the water longer.

Been reading a lot of the threads here and have learned a lot of tips already. Can't wait until I post four more times to get access to the NHB thread :wink:

HandymanHerb · **Posted:** Wed Jul 20, 2011 3:22 pm

Hi and welcome, sounds like you have a great one ordered

dockholiday · **Posted:** Wed Jul 20, 2011 8:52 pm

Welcome
Bet that wil be nice for the St Johns river. Only been on it once an that was a long time ago.
doc

ROLAND · **Joined:** Sat Oct 03, 2009 4:29 am **Posts:** 2153

welcome to the group and don't forget to post some pics of your new toon when you get it... congrats on the new boat :nana

johnathan · **Posted:** Thu Jul 21, 2011 4:30 am

Congratulations
Your going to love the tooning life. I was stationed over at NAS JAX from 79 to 82.Loved the St.Johns used to rent a boat and outboard on the base and cross the river and stop at this spot and visit the Manties ! Hope the wait passes quick and the boat is all you wanted !

Thin Ice · **Posted:** Thu Jul 21, 2011 5:30 am

Welcome to the club

The family will love the double bimini....especially during hot, sunny streaks like this.

Post some pics when "she" arrives!

smltooner · **Posted:** Thu Jul 21, 2011 1:50 pm

Welcome to the club.

buzzardbeak · **Joined:** Thu Apr 16, 2009 10:14 am **Posts:** 149

Quote:

The family will love the double bimini....especially during hot, sunny streaks like this.

We have the double bimini and love it for the hot times.

Frank

BartMan · **Posted:** Thu Jul 21, 2011 3:55 pm

Thanks everyone for the warm welcome. I will definitely post pics once I get her.

Forgot to mention that I have never had to use a trailer on previous vessels, so pretty nervous about that first trip to a public dock. I'll be practicing in a big empty lot first. :scared

ROLAND · **Joined:** Sat Oct 03, 2009 4:29 am **Posts:** 2153

BartMan wrote:

Thanks everyone for the warm welcome. I will definitely post pics once I get her.

Forgot to mention that I have never had to use a trailer on previous vessels, so pretty nervous about that first trip to a public dock. I'll be practicing in a big empty lot first. :scared

Bartman.... I feel your pain.. I always had trouble backing up a small u-haul trailer, so I was scared to death about backing up a big ol pontoon boat.... just so happened that there is a huge arena across the street from the place where I bought my boat... as soon as they hooked it up to the truck, the wife and I drove across the street to that big empty parking lot and practiced backing her up.....I got the hang of it pretty quick. Like the boys on this forum told me, the longer the trailer ( the further back the rear axle is ) the easier it is... best advice I got from anyone was this.... go slow...if you feel you're getting off line, stop, pull up alittle bit and then start over... works for me.

dockholiday · **Posted:** Fri Jul 22, 2011 7:51 am

BartMan wrote:

Thanks everyone for the warm welcome. I will definitely post pics once I get her.

Forgot to mention that I have never had to use a trailer on previous vessels, so pretty nervous about that first trip to a public dock. I'll be practicing in a big empty lot first. :scared

Bet it will be easier than you think. Of my three trailers the toon is the easiest to back up. Once you get the rig broke in, post your speed. I like to keep a mental note of what does what with x hp. Enjoy the bentley.
doc

BartMan · **Posted:** Fri Jul 22, 2011 3:38 pm

dockholiday wrote:

BartMan wrote:

Thanks everyone for the warm welcome. I will definitely post pics once I get her.

Forgot to mention that I have never had to use a trailer on previous vessels, so pretty nervous about that first trip to a public dock. I'll be practicing in a big empty lot first. :scared

Bet it will be easier than you think. Of my three trailers the toon is the easiest to back up. Once you get the rig broke in, post your speed. I like to keep a mental note of what does what with x hp. Enjoy the bentley.
doc

Just out of curiosity, how fast does yours go with a 150HP? I'm hoping to get 25mph, but that may be a stretch. I added the underskinning more to stop the lurching in waves, but I have heard it may add a mile or two to mph.

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