New Guy Needs Advice

[shootandfish1]

Hello-Nice site. I have enjoyed reading some of the threads.

I am looking to buy my first pontoon mainly for fishing and camping across the country, Canada, and Mexico. I have very little experience with boats and need to ask some embarrassing questions. I have been renting pontoons and have some ideas on what I want in a boat or actually it would be more correct to say what I don't want- more later.

First ?- Can one person launch from a trailer and re-trailer a pontoon without much more difficulty than a conventional boat? I will be by myself most of the time. I'm sure this will require a little thought and planing on my part. Silly ?- I have been reading about the larger electric motors (not really trolling motors, but same purpose) that have remote control. Would these have the range and reliability to maneuver a pontoon out of the way from the ramp while I was still on the bank. At a busy ramp I may be just as well ask someone to bring the boat around while I park.

I am thinking that the 24-25 footers are as long as I want to tackle- but be big enough to camp with. Tow vehicle is a Ford F-250 4x4, so that not a problem.

I have a ton of other questions and thoughts, need to address this first.

Thanks in advance -Fred

[badmoonrising]

Welcome I don't have any experience with the larger electric motors such as the unit made by Lenco, but as for trailering and launching/loading by yourself it's pretty easy depending on the trailer.

Pontoon trailers are usually float on or scissors. Both have advantages and disadvantages. Post guide ons help alot to keep the boat aligned while loading and I highly recomend them.

We have a 21 ft. Starcaft v-hull and a 32 ft. Tracker Party Cruiser. The PC is easier to load by a long shot, and I've done it alone a time or two.

[2toytrucks]

Welcome. No problems with the loading and unloading by yourself, like BMR said a trailer with good bunkboards and guide posts really helps when loading in less than ideal conditions. Even in wintertime you can launch without help or getting wet, lower tailgate, back in 'till rear tires are at the waters edge, climb into truck bed and then climb the trailer ladder.

No experience with the electric motors but really do not see a need for them other than the "hey see how cool this is" factor.

24-25' sure is going to be big if you are going to travel across North America, pontoons (especially newer with big logs) sit very high on the trailer almost more like towing a TT than a boat. My 22' is a shade under 30' long when measuring from tounge to the prop.

[mike]

Its a pretty easy process if you are at a slow ramp... Tie up your toon to the dock, go grab your truck and drive it down into the water, jump out and go drive your toon onto the trailer. I have done it and its not very hard, but if you are at a busy ramp you might find yourself getting some looks or have a hard time finding a spot to tie up on at the dock.

Welcome to the forum, glad you found us!

[wwind3]

Hello-Nice site. I have enjoyed reading some of the threads.

I am looking to buy my first pontoon mainly for fishing and camping across the country, Canada, and Mexico. I have very little experience with boats and need to ask some embarrassing questions. I have been renting pontoons and have some ideas on what I want in a boat or actually it would be more correct to say what I don't want- more later.

First ?- Can one person launch from a trailer and re-trailer a pontoon without much more difficulty than a conventional boat? I will be by myself most of the time. I'm sure this will require a little thought and planing on my part. Silly ?- I have been reading about the larger electric motors (not really trolling motors, but same purpose) that have remote control. Would these have the range and reliability to maneuver a pontoon out of the way from the ramp while I was still on the bank. At a busy ramp I may be just as well ask someone to bring the boat around while I park.

I am thinking that the 24-25 footers are as long as I want to tackle- but be big enough to camp with. Tow vehicle is a Ford F-250 4x4, so that not a problem.



Thanks in advance -Fred

I ordered an 18 ft toon with the Motor Guide Wireless trolling motor---curious myself how far i can be from the boat and control it with the remote.

Trailer wise--I opted for the dual axle trailer as I anticipate trailering a lot also...

[TennesseeTooner]

I agree with mike. I load and unload my boat all the time by myself. I back my boat to the water, then my wife pulls the trailor out for me. If I had to do it all by myself, it would be the same process, with just a little more time for me to dock, then pull my truck/trailor off the ramp. The others at a busy dock might get a little impatient, but they'll live!!! Just try to consider them, by tying up and immediatelly, and moving your truck off the ramp. 99% will understand, and many will offer to help you!!

[dockholiday]

Welcome Shoot and Fish

Sound like you do have a good vechicle for towing a 24 or 25 footer. Have launched the toon several time by myself. Good thought about the remote, for launching and retrieving the boat, not sure what kind of range they have though. Since you will be traveling to different lakes you might want to consider a tritoon, they cost a little more but increase your range in a given time. A two log you are looking at about 20-25mph and a tritoon 34-40mph. Don't get me wrong I had a 2 log for over 12 years and really enjoyed it. Mainly got the tritoon to increase my travel range since I rarely went to the opposite end of the lake due to travel time.
Most boater are willing to help other boaters launch and retrieve. Guess a lot has to do with your age as to how much work it will be, but it can be done.
Either way I say go for it. There is nothing, I enjoy more than being on the toon. Not sure if you are talking new or used, but like an auto just make sure it is reliable mechanically......and enjoy.

[lakerunner]

Just like loading and unloading any boat preparation is key. Make sure when you back down ramp your ready to launch. Don't wait till your on ramp to load ice chest. toys, uncover, prime engine or any prelaunch work. By your self do like TT says, back down into water, climb into pickup bed ( this is for winter or when you don't want to get your feet wet) drop tailgate if you can, climb onto trailer, un hook and start and back off trailer. As long as your not tying up dock and ramp piss on the ugly looks.

As was said a good solid upright guide on is important.



Welcome

[HandymanHerb]

I do it all the time, like said have everything loaded , I tie the line to my truck and leave twice the length of the trailer.

I back in and let it float off and then pull forward getting the trailer out of the water grab the line and pull the toon to the shore if there is room so not to tie the dock up and then go park the truck.

I have loaded and unloaded faster than 2 people in smaller boats many times, just go practice during a slow time and you be amazing people who can't launch a 10 footer faster than you can launch a 20 footer or bigger.

The only thing that you got to remember is pulling a toon is like running down the road with a parachute behind you, when I raced I had my truck up to a 100 MPH with the race car behind my Dakota, put when I got the toon I was lucky to hit 70, now my Ram 2500 CTDiesel has no problem with it but it does take the fuel mileage down to 15 mpg.

Glad to have you on board

[2toytrucks]

Come on loyd, I have only left the tie down straps on 1 time.

[lakerunner]

Come on loyd, I have only left the tie down straps on 1 time.

???????

[mikeherb]

I've launched and loaded my toon a few times by myself. I do as Herb does....I launch it without power with a line attached. I can maneuver the boat the the other side of the temporary dock, tie off and then park my truck.

Practice and you'll have it licked in no time. Guides are a must if you do this solo so the toon stays lined up with the trailer while you get into the truck and drive it out. Any wind will blow that boat catywompis without guides.

I agree with the comments above about the size. My 24 ft Bentley has a 12 person capacity so that seems like a much larger boat than you would need solo. Smaller boats are easier to load and unload, cheaper, and easier to tow. Maybe consider an 18 or 20 footer.

[WaltF]

Yup.. certainly doable by yourself.

[Snider4]

You can do it by yourself, with some practice. Renting first was a great move, enjoy your new toon and welcome to the club.