Just bought pontoon. Don't know anything about launching it!

[WaltF]

Sweet! New Toys!!!
Congrats!

Dont sweat the thing.. have fun with it!

Good info on here already. The only thing i would add is as far as loading it back on there, go Sloooooow.... and when in doubt about the 'approach', just back up n try again!

All of us had to figure it out too, so practice makes perfect!
Feel free to ask away on any questions!

Have fun man!!

[GXPWeasel]

Like said before, tons of great info. here. I will add a couple things as well.

When I was teaching my wife to drive our toon, (26 footer) I had to remind her that these things drift, and catch wind. The best bet is to go slow, and get a good feel for your boat, before doing anything too fast. Remember that your toon is trying to plow through the water, not cut or glide on it. This can make turning take longer than expected. One last thing, when loading, try to avoid a cross wind on your first time. This can really be discouraging, but again, it's doable. If you can, try to pick a day with little wind to practice, or with a head/tail wind.

Good luck, and happy Tooning.

[Stephen]

I'm a new tooner myself, and my biggest concerns have been loading and unloading. If I may make one suggestion, try and pick a day that's not perfect for going out on the lake. Right now is a great time, because being Spring it hasn't fully warmed up yet. That's when I take mine out, because I know I can practice all I want without ticking off people who know what they're doing on a busy day.

Just my .02. Congrats on the new boat and I hope you get some great enjoyment out of it this summer.

[pelicantooner]

The only thing you may notice on pulling out the pontoon, is your rear wheels slipping on the wet ramp. Where we launch is always fun to watch the 4 wd trucks pull out their boats in 2 wd and smoke the tires. I always switch into 4 wd when putting the toon in and taking it back out. Just go slow when taking it out of the water and you will be fine.

[BassFrequency]

The F-150, even with 2wd is more than adequate for that 'toon. Towing capacity is around 6000 lbs, you should be well under that.

My '99 with 4wd/4.6 V-8 tows a 32 ft Party Cruiser without problems.

Shame on you BMR you forgot 2 things on your party cruiser

[slingshot]

This Ford has no problem towing just poor technique.

[badmoonrising]

The F-150, even with 2wd is more than adequate for that 'toon. Towing capacity is around 6000 lbs, you should be well under that.

My '99 with 4wd/4.6 V-8 tows a 32 ft Party Cruiser without problems.

Shame on you BMR you forgot 2 things on your party cruiser

Ah ok...what would that be ?

[BassFrequency]

[HandymanHerb]

With the Scissors it should be easy to launch and load as you can drop it on the ground anywhere with the scissors.

So back it in and lower till it starts floating and leave the scissors at that level and notice how far you in the water, then you can just pull the pontoon back on it and crank it up back on the trailer.

Give it a few times and you be a pro, if your not going at backing a trailer go find a empty parking lot and practice, most find if you hold on to the bottom of the steering wheel with you thumbs facing away from each other and if the toon to the left move that left thumb to the left and the same for the right, just move you thumb the way the toon is going.

Welcome glad to have you with us Captain

[ROLAND]

Oh Boy....as much as I have wanted a pontoon boat to play with, I am getting a little discouraged!! Check back often guys!! !

Hey now, don't get discouraged... My wife and I had never even owned as much as a row boat when we bought our pontoon this past winter. I was scared to death the first time we took it out. The best advise I can give you has already been given, go slow.. I would advise you not to unhook your winch strap until you have your motor running, also I think it's a good idea to hook your strap back up "before" you start to pull the boat out of the lake. The first time I took my boat out, we backed the trailer down real far to get the bunks good and wet, then I pulled onto the trailer, but when my wife started to pull us out, the boat started sliding back off the trailer.. that's why I always hook the winch strap up before exiting the ramp. I've found loading and unloading is a "learn as you go" process. each time will get easier.. and if you have a problem at the launch, don't be afraid to ask for help. Everybody was a beginner at one time or another.... good luck and enjoy the toon... happy boating

[lakerunner]

With all the good advice you have been given I only have one very important tip. Remember when in neutral you have very little control of boat. When trailer is ready to load back out and go around a ways out so you can aim for the trailer. keep power steady and right before you get to trailer slow down but not neutral. If necessary you can got to reverse and back out for retry.
It isn't that hard to do and with your trailer once you start it on trailer it has no option but to load right.
I had a trailer like that before and learned to make sure all cables and wires are secure as they can be pinched between trailer and boat.

Good luck and happy tooning

[OBDZOBG]

Just wanted to Thank EVERYONE for the awesome responses!!! I don't have anyone I can go to for help with this. It is a big step for me, but hopefully will be a very enjoyable one! I see ALOT of lake time in the future for me and my 3 boys! What a way for a mother to get some family time in with teenage boys!! Thank you all so much!!!!

[Woody]

You'll be fine with a little practice. Remember, we like pics !!

[badmoonrising]

That pic was taken on November 30, well after our bikini season here, unfortunately.

[lakerunner]

Where is Newalla Ok?