GA Pontoon Newbie

[LadyGT]

Hi. My husband and I are looking for a pontoon in the $10k-$13k range which puts us in the early 2000. We found an Aqua Patio we are interested in but it does not come with a trailer. In fact many boats we have seen do not have one which makes the search overwhelming because there are so many manufacturers. How does one choose one over the Internet without knowing what to look for?

We looked at a marine dealer nearby and they sell Mid-America trailers which look well made. They are being sold with Encores so they must be good.
Which trailer brands are well made?

We are not new to boating. We have a bow rider now but we are getting older and want something easier to board and more space.

[HandymanHerb]

Welcome, glad to have you with us, you will love the ride and room on a pontoon

[Ray Jr.]

I am very happy with my Shoreland'r trailer very well built, extremely rugged frame, and just tows nicely.
I have had 2 of them, one single axle with my second toon, and now the dual axle with my current toon. Both were excellent trailers. and both had very nice set of stairs attached to the winch post/bow stop to get on and off the toon while on the trailer too.
I was extremely unhappy with the Yacht club trailer I got when I bought my current toon, weak flexing frame, and just towed poorly. and had a piss poor set of stairs on the winch stand/bow stop.
Our first toon came with a bear trailer which seemed decent, and towed pretty well, but had no stairs on the winch stand/bow stop, we used a small step ladder when we wanted to get on the boat to while it was on the trailer.

[LadyGT]

Thank you for the welcome and recommendations. I have noticed while searching for a older boat that there was no ladder on many older trailers. How much will a good trailer cost? Approximation is fine. The marine dealer who is selling the boat we are interested in said he could set us up for $1, 500. Is this a good deal?

Can you give me some tips what to look for during the test run on the lake? How about the boat itself?

[Waterlogged]

Welcome aboard LadyGT, good luck with your boat/trailer search. On the trailer, make sure you meet whatever brake requirements that are mandated according to weight and state. Also depending on the size boat you get you may need twin axles.

Glenn

[grouser]

Welcome from the State of Jefferson

[PlaynDoc]

Welcome, LadyGT...

Where in GA? We live in central GA, and do most of our boating on Jackson Lake, near Jackson, GA.

[smltooner]

Welcome to the club.

[RcgTexas]

Thank you for the welcome and recommendations. I have noticed while searching for a older boat that there was no ladder on many older trailers. How much will a good trailer cost? Approximation is fine. The marine dealer who is selling the boat we are interested in said he could set us up for $1, 500. Is this a good deal?

Can you give me some tips what to look for during the test run on the lake? How about the boat itself?

$1500 for a good trailer is not bad especially if it is new. a dealer should know what you need, and that's the route I would recommend for a first time buyer.

Look for spongy decking, broken welds on the pontoon framing. and if there is wooden framed furniture check for rot. and water in the tubes after its back on trailer.

[LadyGT]

Welcome, LadyGT...

Where in GA? We live in central GA, and do most of our boating on Jackson Lake, near Jackson, GA.

We are in the Macon area. We usually boat on Tobosofkee and go camping at Lake Blackshear out of Cordele.

It would be nice to meet some folks who have pontoons. None of our friends have boats of any kind.

[PlaynDoc]

Welcome, LadyGT...

Where in GA? We live in central GA, and do most of our boating on Jackson Lake, near Jackson, GA.

We are in the Macon area. We usually boat on Tobosofkee and go camping at Lake Blackshear out of Cordele.

It would be nice to meet some folks who have pontoons. None of our friends have boats of any kind.

There's another person on here from macon.... geeze... i can't recall his name.......

[LadyGT]

Took a ride in an Encore yesterday. Susan with Central Georgia Marine was kind enough to take both of us out and answer all our questions. We had a 22' with a 90 hp engine. I felt it had plenty of power. She said there was little difference between the 90 and 115 when it came to speed. The 115 just had more torque. Of course hubby wants a larger motor if he can get it.

I have to say it ran well and the lake was like glass. I wonder how any pontoon would feel on a busy day with lots of wakes. This was the second time I have been on a pontoon. The first was when I was 12 so it was odd for me. I am sure over time I will get use to it.