Joining the two or more boat club

[OllieC]

We’re in the beginning process of finding a pontoon boat for our home. We’ve ordered a new dock, which ate up a lot of funds. I’ve jokingly told my neighbors that I’d have one of the nicer and newer docks, however I’ll probably have the crappiest pontoon on the lake.

Our lake is small and is a ‘No wake lake’. We wouldn’t need anything more than a 60hp motor , and would probably settle on a 40hp. I’ve noticed the market is a little off on toons like all boats. I’m seeing some real garbage that people want a mint for. I’m also seeing new starting in the $27-$30k range. That’s above our budget but doable if it was crunch time I guess. I’m really not trying to focus on a new shiny object and definitely not financing anything. We are looking for a 20’-22’. We’d settle for an 18’ if it was nice.

Anyone have experience with these things? What should I be looking for other than the obvious, (soft floor, holes in toons, motor) I’ve been looking on Craigslist and Boat Trader as well as some boat dealership websites. We really don’t want to buy new. Any other ideas on where to look?

We currently have a tight budget because we’re also doing some remodeling and I’m completely redoing and updating our well. That’s what’s making the search difficult. After all of this, I still have to Spring commission the Weekender.

Not sure if a paddle boat and a kayak are considered “boats” in this forum - I guess the title should reflect ‘power boats’ - but we have those too.

 

[ttmott]

For the last several months I've also been perusing the pontoon market for a boat at the house. Like you, I'm looking at the 20 to 22 foot ones.
The important thing for me in a preowned one is a 4-stroke motor that has been properly maintained and taken care of; Suzuki or Mercury. That really put me in the 2017 and newer market. Also I need a bimini and the upholstery in good condition. In the twenty or so I've seen on Facebook Marketplace around Florida the pricing seems to be between $14K and $25K depending upon the brand, how well taken care of, and trailer or not. But the asking price seems to be decreasing as summer progresses and no doubt the economy staggers. It seems the Bennington brand is one of the better ones and my focus is there. Also fresh water vs salt water use is a price determiner. So, besides the visuals (upolstery, finishes, etc) I have been looking at the aluminum welds for signs of corrosion and cracking especially around the engine bracket. Then the condition of the hardware and decking and finally the helm and instruments. Nothing yet for me but still watching and looking...

 

[Pirate Lady]

4 55 gallon drums, some plywood, a 2x6 at back to mount an outboard on. Good to go.

 

[OllieC]

For the last several months I've also been perusing the pontoon market for a boat at the house. Like you, I'm looking at the 20 to 22 foot ones.
The important thing for me in a preowned one is a 4-stroke motor that has been properly maintained and taken care of; Suzuki or Mercury. That really put me in the 2017 and newer market. Also I need a bimini and the upholstery in good condition. In the twenty or so I've seen on Facebook Marketplace around Florida the pricing seems to be between $14K and $25K depending upon the brand, how well taken care of, and trailer or not. But the asking price seems to be decreasing as summer progresses and no doubt the economy staggers. It seems the Bennington brand is one of the better ones and my focus is there. Also fresh water vs salt water use is a price determiner. So, besides the visuals (upolstery, finishes, etc) I have been looking at the aluminum welds for signs of corrosion and cracking especially around the engine bracket. Then the condition of the hardware and decking and finally the helm and instruments. Nothing yet for me but still watching and looking...

That’s good to know. I didn’t consider the mounting bracket for the motor.
I noticed you didn’t mention Yamaha or Honda - any issues with those motors? Not interested in an older Johnson or disco’d Evinrudes.

 

[Golfman25]

Was talking to the guy who hauls the boats at our marina. He’s building a pontoon. There are places that will put kits together for you to assemble. Might be worth looking into as all you really need is a floating party pad.

 

[Byron]

I think pirate lady has it covered. I don't see life jacket storage, as in such a craft it is mandentory.

 

[Hoplite808]

Lots of interesting things one can do with some carpentry skills and some 55 gallon drums.

 

[JayhawkCurtis]

@OllieC My dad has a pontoon I bet he would let you have relatively inexpensive

 

[Pirate Lady]

I think pirate lady has it covered. I don't see life jacket storage, as in such a craft it is mandentory.

Note the head next to the cooler; and a fire extinquisher. Safety first!

 

[OllieC]

After losing a bid from an auction site, it looks like I may have found a good starter pontoon. My coworkers father has this one for sale and I’m going to check it out. It’s a little larger than we wanted, but it’s clean. The teal color kind of dates it, but we’ll make it work.

2003 Crest II, 25’ w/ 90hp Merc and bunk trailer. Dog sold separately.

 

[Woody]

After losing a bid from an auction site, it looks like I may have found a good starter pontoon. My coworkers father has this one for sale and I’m going to check it out. It’s a little larger than we wanted, but it’s clean. The teal color kind of dates it, but we’ll make it work.

2003 Crest II, 25’ w/ 90hp Merc and bunk trailer. Dog sold separately.

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You need some bigger headlights....otherwise it looks pretty good shape.

 

[Pirate Lady]

That actually looks fun, in a moped / fat chick kinda way.
Hey, i had a moped, it was fun, don’t knock it. The fat chick, not so much. Flour made a mess in the bed.

 

[OllieC]

You need some bigger headlights....otherwise it looks pretty good shape.

I was going to reach out to @Arminius for a better solution.

 

[mrsrobinson]

I love the crap folks put in the ad photos, or forget to not remove before they take the photo.

 

[Flyer5]

That actually looks fun, in a moped / fat chick kinda way.
Hey, i had a moped, it was fun, don’t knock it. The fat chick, not so much. Flour made a mess in the bed.

You're just not supposed to let your friends see you riding either one.

 

[Pirate Lady]

Yup, thats why i equate it to pontoons. I do think they get a bad rap. I would not own one, but i dam sure would go on one for a frat boy style party with 10 of the best from the bikini thread.
And 1 lonely fat chick that needs lovin. What the hell, already on a pontoon; may as well throw caution to the wind!