Educate Me: Buying a Pontoon Broat?

[danielocean03]

Hello everyone,

I am looking to buy a Pontoon broat and trailer for use at Geist reservoir. My wife and I have lived in Geist for 10 years without a boat and today she said she'd like to look into getting one.

I'm not too hung up on new vs used, and I don't need it to be super over-the-top, but I'd like it to be nice enough to enjoy with little hassle.

So what say you, INGO? Where should I look to buy? Anything to look out for? Thanks in advance.

 

[Leo]

The entry level 18' pontoon boats look pretty big in the showroom, but once you get used to that activity, it gets too small fast. 24 foot is way smoother and more comfortable. Bargains that really only need cleanup can be found on Craigslist. 4 stroke outboard motors are pretty trouble free.

 

[Swom]

Also, tri toons can be a lot more stable in choppy water than a regular pontoon with just 2 toons underneath. We have a tri 23' with a 150HP outboard on it. Its nice and stable and does a good job of pulling the kids around on the tube.

 

[hoosierdoc]

If you're on Geist make sure you get one with defensive armaments for the drunken idiots who get too close

 

[target64]

if this is a new activity I would suggest a rental.

 

[DoggyDaddy]

The entry level 18' pontoon boats look pretty big in the showroom, but once you get used to that activity, it gets too small fast. 24 foot is way smoother and more comfortable. Bargains that really only need cleanup can be found on Craigslist. 4 stroke outboard motors are pretty trouble free.

This is pretty good advice. I've got a 20' and it's comfortable with 4 to 6 people on it, but it gets cramped with any more than that. Another thing to look for, especially in older boats is the diameter of the pontoons. Some of the older ones have 18" and I would avoid those. You'll want at least 24" for more stability. The motor will be a big chunk of the expense. Don't be afraid of older motors. They're not like car engines. It's not unusual for 30 or 40 year old outboards to still be running strong (allowing for normal wearable parts replacement, like seals, impellers, things like that). Of course at that age they're going to be 2 cycle and require a gas/oil mix. If I had it to do again I would go with a 4 stroke.

 

[dnurk]

Won't likely help you but I cannot agree more with the old saying...."Best two days in a boat owners life; the day he buys his boat and the day he sells his boat."

Unless one lives directly on a lake my experience was we never used it enough to justify the costs and energy required. YMMV.

 

[Tactically Fat]

https://www.harrisboats.com/crowne/crowne-sl-250-twin-engine/

Premier 290 Grand Entertainer: A Wide Beam Pontoon Boat - boats.com

 

[db1959]

I'd love to help but...............boats suck.

As target64 said, rental first. to Get an idea of what you want. When you do buy I suggest a Yamaha 4 stroke. They are the best out there. Not the cheapest though.

 

[CHCRandy]

Good luck finding what you want. I have been actively searching for the last 6 months for a bargain (10,000-15,000 budget) and I have not found it yet. It may be easier though since you live on a lake....a lot of pontoons for sale at Geist but most of them don't have trailers unless that is an issue. Seen a lot of $35,000-$50,000 toons....but nothing I can afford or justify.

 

[danielocean03]

I don't want to spend what I'd consider "car money" on a broat.

I won't use a broat as much as a car, so it would be difficult for me to justify.

 

[femurphy77]

This is pretty good advice. I've got a 20' and it's comfortable with 4 to 6 people on it, but it gets cramped with any more than that. Another thing to look for, especially in older boats is the diameter of the pontoons. Some of the older ones have 18" and I would avoid those. You'll want at least 24" for more stability. The motor will be a big chunk of the expense. Don't be afraid of older motors. They're not like car engines. It's not unusual for 30 or 40 year old outboards to still be running strong (allowing for normal wearable parts replacement, like seals, impellers, things like that). Of course at that age they're going to be 2 cycle and require a gas/oil mix. If I had it to do again I would go with a 4 stroke.

Point of disagreement here, I had two different boats back in the late 70's one a 40 horse Johnson and the other a 60 horse evinrude and both were 4 cycle.

 

[The Bubba Effect]

if this is a new activity I would suggest a rental.

+1. Rental boats are awesome.

 

[Rookie]

I agree with the rental too. You're going to be paying for it year round and only use it two or three months.

 

[femurphy77]

I agree with the rental too. You're going to be paying for it year round and only use it two or three months.

Yeah but they look so cool sitting in the barn and ALL of your friends will be SO jealous.

Ask me how I know.

 

[RobbyMaQ]

Hello everyone,

I am looking to buy a Pontoon boat and trailer for use at Geist reservoir. My wife and I have lived in Geist for 10 years without a boat and today she said she'd like to look into getting one.

I'm not too hung up on new vs used, and I don't need it to be super over-the-top, but I'd like it to be nice enough to enjoy with little hassle.

So what say you, INGO? Where should I look to buy? Anything to look out for? Thanks in advance.

You can't legally shoot over public waters.
#Barnwater

 

[danielocean03]

You can't legally shoot over public waters.
#Barnwater

#BarnwaterBroat

I think Geist is big enough to be considered international waters.

 

[RobbyMaQ]

#BarnwaterBroat

I think Geist is big enough to be considered international waters.

Oh snap! Yeah full auto AK should be fine then!
#PirateBarnwoodShip

 

[jamil]

I need to see an eye doctor. I swear I read the title as poontang boat.

 

[Slawburger]

I am also looking for a used pontoon boat. Here is what I have found/decided:

1) Tri-Toons are more stable but more expensive and harder to find used. They produce a different wake.

2) Length: 22'-24', anything less won't be big enough for the crew, coolers, gear, tubes, etc.

3) Outboard: minimum of 90 HP, 115 would be better for pulling tubes.

4) Pontoons: Prefer 24" diameter

5) There are lots of online sources to completely remodel a pontoon if the floats and frame are good.

I haven't found one within driving distance (2-3 hours) yet.