Pontoon Boat & Deck Boat Forum

I have been studying 'Boat Trader' and finding out where my closest dealers are, what they sell, and have on the lot along with reviewing various companies websites. I have looked at so much that I have had to start keeping a notebook.

Tracker, Bently, Fisher, Tahoe, and Godfrey Marine(Polarkraft) are the dealers that I am finding. Mostly Tracker and Bently and to my surprise, Fisher are the most popular. Not too many used boats, but a lot of 08 models.

And I believe every engine was a Mercury.

Common sense tells me that when evaluating a pontoon, new or used, one had better be content with the log size and shape (maybe add a third log), the deck (strength and condition), the console location, and the motor on the boat ( hp, 2 vs 4 st, and make) as changing will be a major cost. I know most new boats don't have a motor installed, but the buyer is still tied to the make-in my case-Mercury.

I read somewhere that modifying the "playpen" was also a significant cost. This sounded strange to me. True ? False? Finding that perfect layout starts with the railing and removing/changing seats, sundecks, and livewells follows.

For starters, I would like for railing to extend to the front edge and to the back edge for maximum versatility. I would hope that I could buy matching sections and add by welding or bolting and still look respectable.

And for the record, I am ignorant and have lots yet to learn. I know this. The problem is that the more I learn, the more I find just how little I knew in the first place. Depressing!!!

Thanks-Fred

Fred the great thing about you is you know you need more information and aren't afraid to seek it out. Not sure where your located but yes some company's ( most ) are owned buy a bigger company like Brunswick. They like to sell there boats with certain motors. However a lot you can buy un rigged or rigged for certain motors. If your not happy with a package and motor find another that will fit it to YOUR needs and wants, Voyager, Sundancer, and others will build you a toon about anyway you want it. I recommend you contact company with your needs and see if they will do what you want. If you want a tracker don't buy from tracker but a dealer that sells tracker. You may be able to buy a toon without a motor. Then go get the power you want.

Fred,
Way more to consider here.

Most bigger outboard dealers will not let you buy their outboard and rig it yourself. So now the 10K four stroke will cost you another 2 to have it put on and rigged. At least that is how it is here in Philly and at the Jersey Shore.

Do not over think the options. Just about every option you can add yourself later.

And make sure of what the manufacturer uses as for materials in the deck, logs and top rails. There are huge differences in types of wood, log thickness and size, and rail construction.

Good luck with the decision. The most important thing is to be on the water.

For about 26k give or take you can get a Bentley 243 with a 150 optimax and you got a 40mph boat with plenty of room. It is rated to 200hp if you need more speed. Love mine for the money...........

luv my merc, but it's an i/o.

would never have the rail all the way to the front. we have about 18" up there. when i
extended the front and back of the deck, i maintained 18" in front outside the rails.
we put coolers up there, can plug in two fishing seats, keep the anchor dirt up there, etc.

i'm welding on to my rails to make them longer. matching rails are almost impossible to find.
i got lucky and found a set off an old boat like mine. got 'em for about 30 bucks. took me
almost 6 months to find 'em, though. found them on craigslist.

you need lots of storage space. figure out what you need and double it, unless no
women ever set foot on your boat. i added a large sundeck in back with lots of
storage under it.

i'll never have carpet again. vinyl flooring is great. went with marideck.

still love my hardtop. don't want a bimini.

luv my 600w rms (4 x 150w rms, yes, rms not peak) booster amp and my boston acoustics
speakers. my stereo's louder than your stereo and doesn't distort a bit. but i am a good
boating neighbor and only turn it up when everyone around us wants to hear it.

luv having a gas grill that mounts onto my railing and hangs out over the water.

luv my i/o. a lot more work to winterize, but i can work on everything on it.

i like two toons instead of three--like swimming under there on a hot day and
don't spend time on big water very often like the guys out west. we do go on
lake michigan occasionally but only when waves are less than 1 foot. i wish i
had larger diameter toons for more flotation, though. it's easy to put too many
people on a big pontoon boat.

luv trailering all the time and not spending a mint on a slip. we go to about 8 to 12
different lakes/rivers every year. wouldn't have it any other way unless i lived on
an inland lake.



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