Pontoon Boat-Planning for Purchase

[CateP]

Originally Posted by camp guy

Having followed your other posts about moving to the Lakes Region this summer, I'd say you have a pretty full plate already, without the addition of a boat. I'm not intending to throw a wet blanket over your ideas, but I do think you have a lot going on.

So, my first suggestion would be to spend time this summer doing some hands-on research about what boat would be best for you and your boating plans. A pontoon boat provides a lot of benefits, but it also is lacking in some areas, most notably, as already mentioned in an earlier post, limited potty facilities, and limited protection from weather, and weather can blow up very quickly on the Big Lake. Maybe you could rent a pontoon boat for a weekend and try it out. Pontoon boats handle differently than monohull boats, and, although there is no tide and current to deal with on the Lake, pontoons present a large sail area to deal with in close quarters in windy conditions. You might try out other boat styles and other sizes. Over and over I read about people buying one size boat, then two years later they go up a size, and then up again a few years later. Quite possibly, if you rent several styles/sizes this first summer, you will get a handle on what you actually feel comfortable with, then you can buy something in the size category that will last you for a while.

Hi Camp Guy- You bring up a good point about taking on too much. BUT..we've been renting pontoon boats all over New England over the years and I currently own a 25 foot sailboat that we use for overnights. My partner lived on a lake in NJ and her family owned several boats. We're not really newbies to the boating world and we certainly have been out there in rough seas with a 9.8 hp motor trying to dock. Lots of stories to tell. I guess that's why sailors drink a lot.

I still think your advice is good in that we should get up there, settle in, do the boat rental scene, get more familiar with various bodies of water and conditions, and shop around. It's just that we are so excited about getting out there.

Our plan to pontoon and trailer is based on wanting to go to smaller lakes and fish with the doggies who LOVE the pontoon. We don't want to pay for storage or slips. (Been there, done that-you would be shocked if you knew what we've spent on our sailboat here in NJ over the years...I could be driving a Lexus...)

As far as creature comforts on the pontoon...we're okay with a 3 gallon porta potty and holding up a towel or something. We don't plan to be near crowds. The bimini provides enough shade and we've been in a few downpours so we know about that. We bring a little tarp with us to cover stuff in case of rain.

Will definitely look for a motor with tilt so we can beach. Will probably take the portable VHF radio from the sailboat too.