Pontoon Boat & Deck Boat Forum

I winter in Leesburg FL from Nov thru April. We are considering buying a pontoon for Lake Harris, but I have several questions or concerns.
We would have land storage and have to trailer only about 1/2 mile to launch. Would this time of year have enough good weather to toon on Lake Harris?
What size toon would we need on Lake Harris, and still be able to tow ( 1/2 mile ) every time we use it? I was thinking of 18 - 20'?
We would probably have to buy used.
Will it survive storage on trailer during the summer months ( May- Oct ) without being taken over with mold, etc?
Any tips or suggestions would be appreciated.

Richard

Never heard of Lake Harris, Welcome you want a 22 foot for Harris as it can get rough on that big lake at times, 20 is the smallest I would go.

And we can use the pontoon year round down here, put on a heavy shirt and enjoy it,anything in Florida is going to turn green some time during the year, that what pressure washers are for, but mine sits out side on the trailer uncovered, I just keep the front end lower than the rear so water can drain off and hit with the pressure washer when needed.

One year we had so much rain my carpet turned green and I thought it was finely gone, hell it was put on when new in 91, but I got the PW out and it looked like new in a hour.

Buy used and if your looking during the winter time you should be able to get a deal on a good used one.

Also on Lake Harris you want at least a 90, bigger if you can get it and get a 2 stroke as it less maintenance to store it.

Again ,Welcome glad to have you with us

Welcome, if plan to buy used don't over look the 22 to 24', actually you will have more to choose from in that range. Especially since you will be trailering a short distance. A good cover is a necessity, if the pontoon you choose doesn't have a good cover use that as a bargaining chip.
A good fitted cover should be 500 to 700. Mine has vents at each ridge pole and seem to help as far as mildew is concerned, also make it much cooler under there while removing ridge poles from the cover. Most newer toon come with the bottom rail elevated about a half inch off the floor which aids in air circulation, and any water that might get in will exit under the rail. Agree with Herb on the 2 stroke, since you can toon almost year round in Fla. although I wouldn't be comfortable not weatherizing a 4 stroke even in Fla. If you plan on doing any skiing I would look to the tri toon with something in the 150hp range, they are not a plentiful as the 2 log on the used market but there should be some out there. Good Luck in your search.
doc

Can you explain what the difference in summer storage maintenence would be between the 2 and 4 stroke?

2 stroke run some sea-foam through it shut it off, I change gear fluid then .

I have to let someone with a 4 stroke tell you what they have to do, but the biggest thing with a 4 is you have to change the oil even if you don't use it.

My 4-stroke Yamaha outboard is 3 years old now. I live in SC and have never winterized it. I change the oil in the engine block and lower gear case twice per year as specified in the owner's manual -- don't do any other maintenance. During periods when there is a chance of a freeze, I make sure that the motor is tilted down into the run position to ensure that all the water drains out of it. My previous pontoon was also a 4-stroke which I kept for 3 years. Did the same with it and never had any problems. The only other maintenance done on the previous motor was changing the spark plugs after 3 years.

I had a 2-stroke Johnson 90 hp on my fishing boat and it did require less maintenance (only the lower gear case oil had to be changed). My new Evinrude Etec requires no maintenance whatsoever for 3 years. If it is necessary to winterize it all that is necessary is to press a button. However, I doubt that many used ones are available on pontoons yet and they cost the same as a 4-stroke. I really like the 2010 model on my fishing boat. It starts as soon as you turn the key (just like a 4-stroke) and runs smoothly (not as smooth as the 4-stroke but it is still not broken in and runs a much richer oil mixture until it is -- so it probably will run smoother after the break in.)

Thanks for your information. I think my main concern is the none use and storage through 7 summer months in Florida. Concern is for preping motor and pontoon for this type of outdoor storage. We are snowbirds and will only use it Nov. through April.

You want a 2 stroke then as one of those changes are going to be during storage, put a some extend in your gas tank run it through the engine then unhook the fuel line while spraying seafoam deep creep in the carbs to fog the engine since your going to be leaving it sit for 7 months, that will protect the internals, then take the plugs out and spray sea foam in there after the engine quits.

When you come back put fresh fuel in the tank hook it up and away you go, might smoke a little but will clear out quick and since you changed the lower unit when you stored it all you have to do is check the level.

And if you find a good fishing spot up there let me know, might have to ride up that way, I have a friend who lives on little Lake Harris, but water has been low for a few years, his lift has became a dry dock since he bought the house, they had a lot of rain this year so I need to see if he can get his boat wet yet.