Pontoon Boat?

[Greene's Basin Girl]

Originally Posted by ApS

For four to six passengers, folks can buy smaller pontoons for Winnipesaukee weekends...

Just don't venture out into the broads.

[loonguy]

We finally took delivery last week of our 26 foot tritoon with a 250 hp motor and 36v trolling motor. We are still breaking it in and learning our way, but have no buyer's remorse at this point. The tritoon appears to be a good fit for us for partying, fishing and water sports.

[kawishiwi]

Originally Posted by loonguy

We finally took delivery last week of our 26 foot tritoon with a 250 hp motor and 36v trolling motor. We are still breaking it in and learning our way, but have no buyer's remorse at this point. The tritoon appears to be a good fit for us for partying, fishing and water sports.

Sounds like you have a new Battleship of fun! Congratulations. Hope to see you slinkin through the shallow water with that beast using the trolling motor.

[Hillcountry]

Originally Posted by loonguy

We finally took delivery last week of our 26 foot tritoon with a 250 hp motor and 36v trolling motor. We are still breaking it in and learning our way, but have no buyer's remorse at this point. The tritoon appears to be a good fit for us for partying, fishing and water sports.

Congrats! 26’ wow! Sounds like a great toon! Pictures please!!

[loonguy]

Sorry Hillcountry, but I am not a picture kind of guy. I will try not to be a bore any more. I have just a couple of perspectives that might help others make a choice. The pontoon boat is still the best fit for my situation, but there are trade-offs compared to the bowrider that I used to have. First, the bowrider's V hull provided a much steadier ride, less subject to being pushed off course by the wind, which is most important when docking. Second, unlike most bowriders, most pontoon boats, including mine, do not have a windshield high enough to block the wind and typically have no windshield on the passenger side. We really miss the windshields at higher speeds. Third, opting for four fishing chairs (two forward and two aft) resulted in less comfortable seating than would have been available otherwise, which is a disadvantage if you are on a party cruise rather than a fishing trip. Finally, unlike the bowrider, the pontoon boat does not have a head, which we never used but it was nice to know it was there if you needed it. Despite the disadvantages, I am happy with the pontoon purchase and expect that I will not be back in the boat-buying adventure any time soon.

[Hillcountry]

Originally Posted by loonguy

Sorry Hillcountry, but I am not a picture kind of guy. I will try not to be a bore any more. I have just a couple of perspectives that might help others make a choice. The pontoon boat is still the best fit for my situation, but there are trade-offs compared to the bowrider that I used to have. First, the bowrider's V hull provided a much steadier ride, less subject to being pushed off course by the wind, which is most important when docking. Second, unlike most bowriders, most pontoon boats, including mine, do not have a windshield high enough to block the wind and typically have no windshield on the passenger side. We really miss the windshields at higher speeds. Third, opting for four fishing chairs (two forward and two aft) resulted in less comfortable seating than would have been available otherwise, which is a disadvantage if you are on a party cruise rather than a fishing trip. Finally, unlike the bowrider, the pontoon boat does not have a head, which we never used but it was nice to know it was there if you needed it. Despite the disadvantages, I am happy with the pontoon purchase and expect that I will not be back in the boat-buying adventure any time soon.

I agree about the windshield part. We’re tmpted to trade up to a model that has the full windshield but I think they are very expensive! Other than that you can get used to it fairly easily. One tip is to lower your bimini top to dock in a breezy situation...not having that “sail” up helps. (If you indeed have a bimini) boat hooks and a loop pole to catch dock structure help a lot too.

[ishoot308]

Originally Posted by Hillcountry

I agree about the windshield part. We’re tmpted to trade up to a model that has the full windshield but I think they are very expensive! Other than that you can get used to it fairly easily. One tip is to lower your bimini top to dock in a breezy situation...not having that “sail” up helps. (If you indeed have a bimini) boat hooks and a loop pole ago catch dock structure help a lot too.

Just an fyi... My tritoon has a full windshield and other than "looking cool" it doesn't do a dam thing to block wind unless you crouch down behind it...

Dan

[Hillcountry]

Lol thanks! You just saved me many thousands!
Went out alone this morning...well, me and the pooch!
Limited out by 8am one nice bow off Governor’s and a surprise laker on the broads side of Welch near your buddy’s place that owns the Italian boat. I picked up my rod to check the lure and bam! Must have liked the extra movement!
Salmon are still evading me!

[loonguy]

All the recent discussion of erosion issues, no wake zones, and problematic wakes reinforces my choice of a tritoon rather than other options, especially the wake boats. I do not resent or object to the other options, perhaps because I am on a very quiet part of the lake with no wake boats or ski boats circling in front of my house, which I certainly would find objectionable. It is comforting that my tritoon is less likely to create problems for others on the lake (boaters and property owners) when traveling at comparable speeds, always trying to respect no wake zones and other boats. I do not have a lot of hours logged on the lake, but feel that this forum has been very helpful in learning the rules and respect for others.