Advice for nubee on restoring or buying

[mr4454]

Hello all,
I'm new to this site and i'm very glad that I found you. I would like some advice from all with experience in restoring pontoon boats. Let me start by saying that I'm in love with pontoon boats, I rented several and for me there is nothing else that compares. I found a guy that is selling a 20 foot pontoon boat ( just the pontoons and top brackets ONLY) w/trailer for 2k. So this thing needs everything from the pontoons up deck, carpet, fencing, furniture, you get my drift.
I want to know, is that a good deal? what do you think my cost will be to outfit it and make it look really good ? or should I buy a used one that has everything and needs to be re carpeted and re-upholstred? I don't have the $ to buy a new one. I'm somewhat handy more so in my head then in actuality. Again thanks in advance for the advice

[HandymanHerb]

I think that price may be on the high side, but lets see what the other guys say

You can go to the rebuild section and get an ideal of the job, here's the link to my rebuild, I have to go through and resize every picture thanks to improvement to my storage site

http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/800x60 ... 201300.jpg

[r&s20]

i don't know where you are at, that price may be fine for your area. but seems really high for what your getting. from your description i assume no motor,no controls, these things will make the rebuild cost very high. i would think that you could find a much better deal,keep looking or try to get the owner to come off the price.

[curtiscapk]

That's high for here too. Especially no fence.... Check out the thread in my sig for my rebuild if you have the time....

[mr4454]

Thanks all for the replies,
I'm in vegas and I will keep looking for a better deal. The price seemed high to me as well for a bare bone boat but wanted to get some advice. Here is a link to the boat. http://mohave.craigslist.org/boa/4485954017.html
I did some very rough calculating and I figured it would cost me somewhere near $10k to 12K to get this thing all fixed up.
I will keep looking on Craigslist, but are there better site to check?
Thanks

[HandymanHerb]

Oh I missed the no fence , it's way to high, keep looking and don't get in a hurry

[ToonGuy]

I agree...too much. Now...if that toon was a newer unit with at least 23" tubes and was sitting on a good trailer, I would have a different opinion. IMO, stay away from tubes that are 21" diameter or under. 23" or bigger = good. Make sure your project has the things you CAN'T get in your area. Usually things like a good transom, rub rail that's not beat to death, and probably railing are important items. If you are trailering a lot, factor that in if it comes with a nice bunk trailer. Those are expensive new. May not be an issue to you. Railing can be restored if it's not bent up too bad. Replacement railing is one thing that can be purchased and shipped, how ever again it's going to be expensive.

Basically think of it like this...if some part of the boat needs to be replaced for you to be happy with it, find out if it's available for a reasonable cost and can it be shipped if not available locally. And stay with the larger tubes, you will enjoy the boat much more and it's resale will be a lot higher as well.

Good luck.

[mr4454]

Thanks for the great advice. I know I'm gonna sound like a real Dumb A, but do you measure the tubes to see if they are 23 or bigger or is it stamped on them? Also is there one site that is the best to purchase all the furniture and decking from ie; this one? or does it depend on the whats on sale at the time? I see that this site offers a 10% discount code which is better than nothing
Thanks

[ToonGuy]

Measure across the tube, in a straight line (if it's round). Most toons have a domed end cap on the rear, don't curve the tape around the cap it will add about an inch to the measurement.

[ezrollin]

I bought a 24 ft with tubes and railing for $1000,tubes had a few dings but no corrosion,don't think it had ever seen salt water. I had to replace the deck with marine plywood appox. $500 and covered that with marine vinyl appox. $500 but then I had a clean solid foundation for my project.Make sure you get the newer pontoons that don't have foam in them and get the biggest diameter you can, check for corrosion or cracks.

[mr4454]

Thanks to everyone for all your great advice, I guess i just have to find the right one now. Around here (Vegas) it's been tough finding one. I'm not in hurry so I will continue my search, and in the mean time I will decide on the color for the deck and furniture.

[RcgTexas]

There has been some good advice so far. The Sponsor here is Pontoon Stuff.com .....a real good place to start shopping for furniture accessories and decking. Good luck to you and post your questions and we all can learn.

[smltooner]

Welcome to the club and good luck.

[mr4454]

Hello All, just wanted to keep everyone updated as I have not been on for a week or so. I found a boat that was exactly what I was looking for but the owner was a flake and just could not show the boat to me and then said it was sold. So my search continues, I will surely keep you all posted on my progress. Have a wonderful 4th

[Kilo Bravo]

I found a boat that was exactly what I was looking for but the owner was a flake and just could not show the boat to me and then said it was sold.

Ran into those on my search also.