Pontoon Boat & Deck Boat Forum

I realize you get 5 of these threads a day, but you guys are just so darn helpful! Normally I research stuff to the hilt, but I am kind of jumping into pontoon ownership willy nilly - I'm in a hurry.

I'm talking to a guy and hoping to buy his pontoon on Saturday. We're meeting him at the lake to take it out for a bit. It looks sound, but is pretty rough, cosmetically. It is extremely cheap - so it fits our budget. It's a '96, 20ft Sweetwater. I am a total newb. I've been reading about launching boats. It'll be kept near the house so I'll be driving it all the time.

I guess...is there anything beyond straight, not leaky pontoons and a strong floor that I need to look out for?

We will need to put furniture in the front. Is that fairly straightforward or will I run into extra costs and headaches?

I feel like I don't even know which questions I should be asking. Is there a pontoon buying for dummies?

Oh, vinyl patching. I've been reading about it. Does it take special marine vinyl or can I just run to the fabric store for it?

Thank you so much. This is a really stressful time in our lives and we're hoping to wring a lot of enjoyment out of this boat.

If you go to pontoon rebuilds you see mine and others that were stripped to the floor and made new, nothing to it except work, if that doesn't bother you, that's the big part of the battle, WORK.

We get 10 percent discount from PontoonStuff, see upper right corner of the page for code

This is what mine looked like last April before last and then by January it was looking like this Thanks to PontoonStuff, everything is new from deck up



After looks a little better




Any questions you have we have been there done that and are willing to help.

Wow! That is nice! May I ask about recarpeting? Out of all the cosmetic things, that one scares me. What does it involve? Really I should just go google it, but there is So.Much.to.Know.

I am not afraid of work, but time and money are at a premium. My husband in normal times would have made this a hobby and he is so very handy, but can't really do this kind of work any more.

My advise on buying a boat..............Don't! Once you do, life as you once knew, is over! Bought my first in 1978 I was 18, from then on they just got bigger and meaner. If you were to add all the money up on all my boats, I'm probably close to $300,000. From that first 14' Checkmate with a 70 horse Johnson to my 525 horse Baja. Then got old and went from 'Glass to 'toons. My life is all about boats! My wife and I had our first date on the water, got engaged on the water. Married and honeymooned on the water. I hope to die on the water and have the brats spread my ashes in it.
So, if I were you, I would not buy that pontoon... Maybe a set of lawn darts or a pool table.
(Buy it, you'll love it!)
Bryan

Boats like that are black holes..you never know how deep they are. Spend your hard earned cash on something that is serviceable, fits your needs and doesnt bury you with more than you can cash out for........there thousands of boats out there.

I'll throw in my .02.

It's worth what you're paying for it.


RE: Boats. Less Expensive for "Rough", that's a choice and wallet thickness affects choices.

However, Motors: Does it start and run smoothly?
Does it pee water out the coolant discharge? If not, it's not cooling. The stream is typically about the diameter of a pencil.
Has he ever changed the coolant pump impeller?

Was it maintained and the lower unit lube changed frequently or ever? Ask the guy to show you how he checks/changes it. When you pull the plug does water run out? It should have been changed at least periodically, and if he brags it's never needed lube, that's a warning sign.

Is it beat up or just worn from use? Worn in 18 years is "Normal". Beat Up isn't good.

What shape is the prop in? Nicked, Bent, Gouged, looks like it was ground down? Brand New is possibly as much a warning sign as horribly bent.

When was the battery changed out? If recently, you're good to go. If not, you "Might" have to replace it. About $100.

Is the decking wood? If so, is it rotten? Does it feel "soft" when walking on it? If so, that's a warning.

Are the pontoon logs bent, creased, cracked or otherwise damaged?

Trailer? Does it have working lights? Is the axle or axles in good repair with "Bearing Buddies" on the hubs? Safety chains in place? Are the tires 'weather checked'? These are all warning signs.


For example, when I recently bought my pontoon, I've put my little fishing boat up for sale.

It's a 73 Lowe 14' Shallow V, 73 Tilt Bed Trailer with a Spare, 87 Honda 7.5hp motor with a Minn Kota 35 Trolling Motor and less than a year old battery. I've got three current possible buyers at $1000 because while it's old and worn, it's in decent repair and condition. It's obviously been fished in and used, but the motor starts first or second pull, it pee's cooling water, it doesn't smoke, and it doesn't leak. The trailer isn't bent or rusted and the tires are all "Fair" and the lights work. The safety chains are also in place and meet current DOT standards. So while it's obviously used, it's "Lake Ready" and won't take a ton of money to make it ready for someone to take fishing.

Look at your possible boat in that light, and depending on the price and condition, you should be able to make a reasonable choice.

Being able to take it for a lake run is good. Watch the guy launch it, and watch others launch theirs. Compare so you'll have an idea of whether or not your potential boats owner has been beating the hell out of it or if it's just an 18 year old boat that's been enjoyed and used.

And if it turns out to be a decent deal?

Enjoy the heck out of it.

As was the case for me today, a day on the lake and doing a bit of fishing is one of lifes pleasures.

Catching an 18" White Bass on a worm, 6lb test on a Zebco "Crappie" rod added a ton of fun to the cruise.

So I hope that if you buy it, you have a ton of fun with it.

Bryden24shp wrote:My advise on buying a boat..............Don't! Once you do, life as you once knew, is over! Bought my first in 1978 I was 18, from then on they just got bigger and meaner. If you were to add all the money up on all my boats, I'm probably close to $300,000. From that first 14' Checkmate with a 70 horse Johnson to my 525 horse Baja. Then got old and went from 'Glass to 'toons. My life is all about boats! My wife and I had our first date on the water, got engaged on the water. Married and honeymooned on the water. I hope to die on the water and have the brats spread my ashes in it.
So, if I were you, I would not buy that pontoon... Maybe a set of lawn darts or a pool table.
(Buy it, you'll love it!)
Bryan

Same here, first boat was a 12' beercan jon. lLast count over 20 boats and near 30 outboard motors from 2hp to 115. We are on our 4th toon in 29 years. My third we wore out 2 motors in 12 years of hard use. this one is 10 and on 2nd motor.
Everything from a old and slow to super fast have one thing in common, Families and friends having fun together. Our boat has many scars and dents but a memory comes with each one.

Never be afraid to ask a question because we all have at one time or another ask the same thing.

Welcome and go shopping

I really can't add anything that hasn't already been said.

Look it over, and if it seems like a good buy, and it fits the criteria the other guys have stated, then go for it. If you have kids, the're going to love it more than you will, and it will be something they never forget.

Good Luck.

NonHyphenAmerican wrote:I'll throw in my .02.

It's worth what you're paying for it.


RE: Boats. Less Expensive for "Rough", that's a choice and wallet thickness affects choices.

However, Motors: Does it start and run smoothly?
Does it pee water out the coolant discharge? If not, it's not cooling. The stream is typically about the diameter of a pencil.
Has he ever changed the coolant pump impeller?

Was it maintained and the lower unit lube changed frequently or ever? Ask the guy to show you how he checks/changes it. When you pull the plug does water run out? It should have been changed at least periodically, and if he brags it's never needed lube, that's a warning sign.

Is it beat up or just worn from use? Worn in 18 years is "Normal". Beat Up isn't good.

What shape is the prop in? Nicked, Bent, Gouged, looks like it was ground down? Brand New is possibly as much a warning sign as horribly bent.

When was the battery changed out? If recently, you're good to go. If not, you "Might" have to replace it. About $100.

Is the decking wood? If so, is it rotten? Does it feel "soft" when walking on it? If so, that's a warning.

Are the pontoon logs bent, creased, cracked or otherwise damaged?

Trailer? Does it have working lights? Is the axle or axles in good repair with "Bearing Buddies" on the hubs? Safety chains in place? Are the tires 'weather checked'? These are all warning signs.


For example, when I recently bought my pontoon, I've put my little fishing boat up for sale.

It's a 73 Lowe 14' Shallow V, 73 Tilt Bed Trailer with a Spare, 87 Honda 7.5hp motor with a Minn Kota 35 Trolling Motor and less than a year old battery. I've got three current possible buyers at $1000 because while it's old and worn, it's in decent repair and condition. It's obviously been fished in and used, but the motor starts first or second pull, it pee's cooling water, it doesn't smoke, and it doesn't leak. The trailer isn't bent or rusted and the tires are all "Fair" and the lights work. The safety chains are also in place and meet current DOT standards. So while it's obviously used, it's "Lake Ready" and won't take a ton of money to make it ready for someone to take fishing.

Look at your possible boat in that light, and depending on the price and condition, you should be able to make a reasonable choice.

Being able to take it for a lake run is good. Watch the guy launch it, and watch others launch theirs. Compare so you'll have an idea of whether or not your potential boats owner has been beating the hell out of it or if it's just an 18 year old boat that's been enjoyed and used.

And if it turns out to be a decent deal?

Enjoy the heck out of it.

As was the case for me today, a day on the lake and doing a bit of fishing is one of lifes pleasures.

Catching an 18" White Bass on a worm, 6lb test on a Zebco "Crappie" rod added a ton of fun to the cruise.

So I hope that if you buy it, you have a ton of fun with it.

I appreciate all the responses. This in particular is extrordinarily helpful! I might print it out and take it with.

I have a 4 year old and an 8 month old and my husband has terminal cancer. We have a few years left. This is the first impulse buy of our whole lives and also our first consumer debt. (We took out a very small personal loan.) We can't do most of the things we used to do for fun because surgery left him without use of his left arm and weak on the left side. We can't vacation like we would like to because all the treatments have left him too fatigued to spend a day out doing stuff. We all love pontooning and so do our families and this seems like a really good way to make a bunch of memories.

I am finding shopping really disheartening. I found three scammers my first day, had a million calls and emails go totally unreturned, have one guy (the one I mentioned in OP) tell us we could meet him and buy it Saturday and he'd mark it pending, but he bumped the listing this morning. I'm afraid this is not going to happen. It is just so stressful because I do not have the time to sit and wait for the right boat. Checking craigslist all day is eating up time I should be taking care of the kids. I am really sorry I would not usually come emote all over a new forum, especially one I realize is mostly men. We just came from a dr appointment and the sadness is fresh.

That said, if anyone knows anyone who wants to sell a beater within a 4 hour drive of Houston, please let me know!

Wishing.....

After reading your above post, I have a couple of comments/questions:

1 - your family is in my prayers.

2 - based on your situation, I would not buy anything in the next day or two and here are a couple of questions that will help us all find you a boat (or provide advice on what to look for)

A - What is your budget?
B - 2 kids (one toddler, one grade school) - will the 8 year old want to be on a tube?
C - will you guys ever fish, occasionally fish, or like to fish a lot?
D - On average, will it just be you 4 in the boat?
E - what type of places will you be using the boat (big lakes, small lakes, rivers, etc.)?
F - will the boat be kept in the water or will you have to trailer it and if so, how far?

Since you are facing some medical challenges and given your husband's condition, I would not opt for a "fixer upper" boat.

One thing to remember is pontoon boats hold their value REALLY well. What this means is you may be able to afford a newer boat with plans to re-sell at some future date. I am NOT trying to get you into a position of financial stress but these things can be sold pretty quickly (during the warm months) and command a good resale price.

Wishing wrote:
I have a 4 year old and an 8 month old and my husband has terminal cancer. We have a few years left. This is the first impulse buy of our whole lives and also our first consumer debt. (We took out a very small personal loan.) We can't do most of the things we used to do for fun because surgery left him without use of his left arm and weak on the left side. We can't vacation like we would like to because all the treatments have left him too fatigued to spend a day out doing stuff. We all love pontooning and so do our families and this seems like a really good way to make a bunch of memories.

I am finding shopping really disheartening. I found three scammers my first day, had a million calls and emails go totally unreturned, have one guy (the one I mentioned in OP) tell us we could meet him and buy it Saturday and he'd mark it pending, but he bumped the listing this morning. I'm afraid this is not going to happen. It is just so stressful because I do not have the time to sit and wait for the right boat. Checking craigslist all day is eating up time I should be taking care of the kids. I am really sorry I would not usually come emote all over a new forum, especially one I realize is mostly men. We just came from a dr appointment and the sadness is fresh.

That said, if anyone knows anyone who wants to sell a beater within a 4 hour drive of Houston, please let me know!

No problem. We understand. Use every moment to build memories for you and the kids. A pontoon is a great way to do that

I'll pray for your husband and your family.

I have the preschooler and the little one is 8 months. I am sure the 4 year old will want to tube, but she is young enough that I don't need it to go fast.

We took out $5,000. I could theoretically spend an extra thousand if the boat wouldn't need any fixing up.
We love to fish and will probably fish at least a little every time we're out, but we're not serious fishing people.
It will be us four a lot, but we will probably also have his parents a lot or my mom. Also we're likely to want to take out friends, which would likely be a scenario of adding 2 adults and two small kids to the boat.
Lake Conroe and Lake Houston seem the most likely places. So fairly small lakes? Medium sized? Not sure what they are.
We'll be keeping by the house and towing. We have a Nissan Frontier. Most of the lakes about about 1.5 hours away.

I know a fixer upper isn't ideal. But I just don't see what choice we have with our budget. Most of the fixer uppers aren't even calling me back. The guy I talked to in the OP said within 12 hours he had 36 calls and his inbox was a page and a half deep with inquiries. For the record, I am really pretty handy and my husband is still really good at knowing HOW to do things even if he needs my help to do them. And my FIL taught him everything he knows and is willing to help. But we do want a boat we can take out right now. No rebuilds or anything.

All the good deals come up in Austin and Dallas, I assume because they are closer to the lakes, and I would gladly go, but am just too far away to be the first one there with cash in hand.

I am NOT recommending any of these boats but did a quick search for you:

http://www.boattrader.com/listing/2005- ... -101830447

http://www.boattrader.com/listing/2010- ... -101803657

http://www.boattrader.com/listing/2011- ... -102230164

http://www.boattrader.com/listing/1995- ... -102030252

http://www.boattrader.com/listing/1995- ... -102148727

I would tell all these people (some are dealers with some profit in the boat) that you have $6k budget and see what happens.

If they don't say if they include a trailer, they probably don't, right? But most of them are sitting on one.

That '95 at the car lot seems like my best bet. I think the kids and I will drive down there tomorrow, with $6000 in my pocket. Or maybe under my seat because that's a rough part of town. Is there a crash course in looking at a motor anywhere on the internet? I realize there are no guarantees.

You are so nice to help me like this! I looked on boat trader but I was (am am still) worried that people won't accept so much less for such (generally) nice boats.