Pontoon Boat & Deck Boat Forum

I've had it a month. Today was a very light chop and I sped around the inland bay for a while. Didn't lose my teeth and the boat was nice and smooth. I've learned to slow down when someone passes me in the channel and the boat floats over their wake nice and easy. So I am learning how to make this boat work for me and go nicely. I wonder how many members here have learned things to make the ride enjoyable? The boat is a good size for me being it's only me since hubs thinks he's too handicapped to go, my family's not interested. I love being out there alone but sometimes I would like some company. Maybe a busy marina?

i often just go out to my slip and sort of hang out clean or sort out gear and talk to the others on my row

[quote="seminolewind"]I've had it a month. Today was a very light chop and I sped around the inland bay for a while. Didn't lose my teeth and the boat was nice and smooth. I've learned to slow down when someone passes me in the channel and the boat floats over their wake nice and easy. So I am learning how to make this boat work for me and go nicely. I wonder how many members here have learned things to make the ride enjoyable? The boat is a good size for me being it's only me since hubs thinks he's too handicapped to go, my family's not interested. I love being out there alone but sometimes I would like some company. Maybe a busy marina?[/quote]

Learning how to cross a wave, when to trim in and out, to accelerate and let off is all part of figuring out how to operate your boat. Through all of my boating years, I have learned that every boat has different traits. I think the most noticeable in my pontoon's was going from the 1st Manitou to the Premier. The easiest to figure out as the Manny.
Taking the whole family out is why I went from the speed boats to pontoons, family and friends were almost always on board. But I really preferred going out solo. Especially after working a long stretch of nights at the plant. Just float and chill.
Thanks a lot Sem, now you have me wanting another! Brat!!!

Lots of times I'm by myself, I just go via Waverunner. It's so much cheaper to run, and it allows me to get up close and personal to all the docks, houses, etc. when snooping around my lake.

And when I get a chance, I enjoy chasing ducks, coots and other waterfowl. They're pretty elusive rascals.

Yea. Maybe I should hang out at the dock but my boat is kept high and somewhat dry so I have to call to get it down. The marina I'm at I might see one or two people there coming back or going and they're not hanging out either. Maybe I should think about going to a busier marina with wet slips. Or try weekends where there's more people, but the marina has it's own dock right next to the public dock.

I think more people on this forum should talk about how much fun they have with their deck boats. In light chop it's a 10. I love staying out until about an hour before darkness.

It's none of my business how you came to own a deckboat without the interest of the family, but perhaps a better option is to trade the deck boat in for a pontoon. They have extra wide gates and comfy seating that your husband may enjoy better. It will also be more comfortable for your other family to go with you as well. If nobody is interested in that idea either, a smaller runabout may be a great option for you....or perhaps a new hobby that your husband may enjoy. (I'm really not trying to be condescending. I know things are always more enjoyable when you can enjoy them with the people you love...)

As to your other question. Marinas are great places to meet people. The sense of community around them has amazed me. If your lake has a local hangout (beach/cove/etc), just start running over there and joining the party (so to speak).

I do hope you find joy in boating and can get your family involved somehow. It is a great way to get some quality time with them.

BTW, you talk a lot about the ride of your boat. I know a lot of people around here complain about the ride of deckboats, but I would like to hear from you. What do you think of the ride? Is it enjoyable for a cruise? Have you ever been in chop where it was unbearable? How do you think a small child would do on it?

I'm asking because I think my next boat is going to be a deck boat. I would like something that is less privy to being blown around in the wind. It really messes with my fishing, but the wife won't give up the front lounge...

[quote="C_M_25"]BTW, you talk a lot about the ride of your boat. I know a lot of people around here complain about the ride of deckboats, but I would like to hear from you. What do you think of the ride? Is it enjoyable for a cruise? Have you ever been in chop where it was unbearable? How do you think a small child would do on it?

I'm asking because I think my next boat is going to be a deck boat. I would like something that is less privy to being blown around in the wind. It really messes with my fishing, but the wife won't give up the front lounge... [/quote]

Well it's certainly a good fishing boat! It's a wider boat so you get less of that side to side rocking. These boats can loosen your molars, but there are ways to avoid that . I'm on Florida's gulf coast north of tampa. I was in a light chop yesterday and ran her full out for the first time. It was great. I've been in a moderate chop and found that slowing down works very well, and so does what direction you hit the waves. I try not to hit them head on. I think every boat has it's faults, and I've been able to work with it. Wind does not bother it and if some big boat passes me with a big wake, I slow down and try to take it sideways so I'm rolling and not hitting. Then the middle of that boat's wake is nice and smooth, LOL. You can also get a filler cushion for the front so it's like a real sun deck. Everyone says a pontoon has a very nice ride, nicer than a deck boat. It's probably true. But my little boat is not overwhelming to me-being a first time owner. I would not trade it for a V-hull. And a pontoon to me is if I have people that like to go out with me quite a bit.

[quote="C_M_25"]It's none of my business how you came to own a deckboat without the interest of the family, but perhaps a better option is to trade the deck boat in for a pontoon. They have extra wide gates and comfy seating that your husband may enjoy better. It will also be more comfortable for your other family to go with you as well. If nobody is interested in that idea either, a smaller runabout may be a great option for you....or perhaps a new hobby that your husband may enjoy. (I'm really not trying to be condescending. I know things are always more enjoyable when you can enjoy them with the people you love...)

As to your other question. Marinas are great places to meet people. The sense of community around them has amazed me. If your lake has a local hangout (beach/cove/etc), just start running over there and joining the party (so to speak).

I do hope you find joy in boating and can get your family involved somehow. It is a great way to get some quality time with them.[/quote]

It started with
My daughter bought a travel trailer, so I did too. Hubs and I camped once and all he did was sit in front of the TT (camper).
So hubs says he'd go on a pontoon. So we almost bought it, but I didn't because I really liked my trailer/camper. However, fishing would be the reason for me camping. So I sold it and bought a boat.

I did want a pontoon but I did have to look at this Realistically. Hubby "thinks" he go out frequently on a pontoon. Hubs hates the heat. In the summer this Florida gulf can be pretty stagnant air. So he says he'll bring a fan. And he's 73, has some major medical problems, can't walk past a shuffle, doesn't fish, etc. So I thought a deck boat would be the happy medium, stable on the water, and not some big overwhelming boat . I would not hesitate to trailer it anywhere. And I have to think about what I could handle myself since I am handling everything myself. My parents are fickle. Said "sure we'll take a ride" and are now afraid of falling into the boat. My hubs thinks I'm nuts for thinking I would jump in the water. But it's only an average of 7 feet deep and fairly clear.

My grandkids are all water rats, my daughter as well. Her husband likes to fish. I do plan on moving closer to her in a few years. But not now.

I think I will look into a marina that has more people around. At least people who like boats.

So this is all why I have a deck boat. And no you're not sounding condescending.

You have a Merc 6 cyl in there?
My first boat was just like yours but by a sister company.

Really had some get up and go.
Could turn on a dime.

Created a nice wake for tubing.
Found that I had to take large chop at a 30-45 degree angle.
And yeah in moderate to heavy chop on a lake it could get bumpy.

Yea, angle taking a chop or wake is important. At 5000 rpm my boat takes a nice curve without much leaning at all.

I have a 2014 Yamaha 150 on it. In neutral I can barely hear it.

Congrats on living your dream and not letting the fact you mostly go alone stop you. When we lived a mile from the ramp I went alone a lot and loved it. Being disabled myself I understand your husband not going because of discomfort. 2 years ago I was ready to give up my toon because both knees were bad. Betty is a water lover and refused to let me sell. Thank god she did because with new knees I can't go enough.

I used to know some widow ladies you boated together and fished and played. If you prefer not to be alone all the time you might ask some friends.

Good luck with your boat and enjoy. Heck I am near 70 and we just bought our first travel trailer.

2 new knees?? Wow life is certainly different with new knees. Good luck with the travel trailer! I'm glad you got back to enjoying things !

I go out in my boat once a week or so and most of the time I go alone. I'll clean it while floating around and then I'll smoke a stoggie and have a beer or two as I cruise around for an hour or two. I do all of my own work on the outboard and I appreciate the sound of a smooth running engine. I can watch my wake for hours. I don't know, maybe I'm weird, as my wife will attest to, but I appreciate my boat if that makes sense.

Slingshot, sounds nice. I love watching the ground as I drift. I should take a beer with me. I don't smoke cigars, just electronic vapor devices. I do love being out there alone. Fishing, organizing, playing with my fishing stuff. It's nice to look at water as far as the eye can see. Eventually it will be so hot that I will be jumping in the water!

This week is not so great. I went out once. But Sunday will be the soonest day where the water is decent .