Pontoon Boat & Deck Boat Forum

Today I traded my beloved 1998 Ranger 692VS fishing boat on a 2011 Sylvan Mirage 8520 4 point pontoon set up for fishing. I've had the Ranger since I bought it new in 1998 and I have spent many happy times catching striped bass in that boat. However, both the wife and I have come to the age where a pontoon better fits our needs. I will certainly give up some speed (for sure) and some overall fishability, but we can now cruise the lake and take others along for the ride.

The Sylvan has vinyl flooring, will have a 24V auto pilot trolling motor, and a 2011 Honda 115 HP motor. With the 25" tubes, the dealer is claiming I can reach 30 -32 mph.

I will miss the Ranger for a bit but I think the 'toon will quickly grow on us.

Congrats on the new pontoon! Sounds like a real nice one. The room and comfort of a pontoon are hard to beat.

Congrats! Toons are definitely the luxury boat! You can do so much and take so many people out! Have fun and let's see da pics!

Tom

Congrats
There comes a time to go for the comfort a pontoon affords. Just so nice to get up an stretch your legs when you want to. Really like those four point set ups, and should make an excellent fishing toon.
doc

Pics!!!!!!!!!! Welcome aboard nothing better than toonin!

Welcome to the club.
We are starting to get a nice sized group from Smith Mtn Lake.

Welcome! And I second what SMLtooner said, The group is growing. One day we should just say all meet at some beach or resturant and meet. Bill

First, congratulations on the new pontoon... I'm sure you and your wife will really enjoy it, and I know you will be much more comfortable... I've got the vinyl flooring on my toon and I absolutely love it.. You certainly didn't want carpet on a fishing rig.....as for the speed....not sure how big your boat is, mine's a 20 footer with a 75 4 stroke yamaha.. under optimum conditions with just me and the wife on the boat I get 25 mph...so I would think 30 mph or so is in reach.... again, congrats on the new rig, now let's see some pics.

Yes, yes the SML group is getting larger! Boy wasn't the weather crap this weekend!? We were out on the lake all weekend anyway, better on the lake than sitting in the house bored. Hubs actually liked it, he works in the weather and is completely sick of the heat. But I'm a FL gal, I like me some heat & sun!

Summer ain't over yet......

Roland, mine is also a 20' boat and has the larger 25" tubes. If you are getting 25mph out of a 20' boat with 75 hp, 30 - 32 mph should be possible with my boat with a 115. I had the option of adding a third tube and maxing the HP at 150 but that was expensive and seemed foolish for our real needs.

I had a 20' Starcraft toon some years ago with a 60 hp Yamaha 4 stroke. It had smaller tubes....maybe 22" - 23". I liked the boat but it was too slow for my tastes so sold it.