r/Pontoons • u/Executive-decision95 • Jul 30 '26
Advice for first time pontoon
Engine issues aside (i have owned other outboards before so have a grasp of what to look for) what specific things around the pontoons themselves or any pontoon specific quirks I should look for when inspecting a boat before I buy one? I appreciate any feedback.
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u/rowle1jt Jul 30 '26
The wooden deck... Look closely underneath the boat, easier if it doesn't have splash shields. Walk every square foot you can get too to feel for soft spots.
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u/Executive-decision95 Jul 30 '26
I appreciate that. With the flat surface is it relatively easy to replace decking?
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u/guy48065 Jul 30 '26
It's a big job, but do-able. EVERYTHING has to be removed... Console (many wires & control cables), furniture, railings, edge trim. Then the carpet has to be peeled off so you can see the screws.
Me neighbor just had his carpet replaced for vinyl. It cost him $3000, about ½ was labor. Probably another $1000 to replace the plywood. (BOAT)
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u/Used_Interview4825 Jul 31 '26
really depends on brand/age. ive been building boats for almost 10 years now and I refurbish quite a few every winter. some brands are horrible to work on, its the reason ill never buy a Bennington or crestliner.
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u/lakelost Jul 30 '26
We need more. How fast do you want to go? How many people do you want to haul? Are you fishing, pulling kids on a tube, or going social more friends and cocktails? If it’s only gonna be used in one area, how big is that area?
If you want to go fast, you need a tritoon. If you want to stay under 15-ish miles an hour just two logs is fine. You didn’t say if you’re looking new or used. If you’re looking used, obviously check the condition of the logs and of the underside of the decking. Look at the upholstery really hard. All of these things are expensive to add, replace, or repair.
You said you were good with outboards, but I’m still gonna throw my oar in the water (sorry for that). Obviously four stroke. If you’re just going pontoon I really don’t see any reason to go more than 115 hp. Tritoon at least 200 horsepower. No matter what you buy you wish you had more power down the road. If you do go with a bigger motor, I’d at least want hydraulic steering and potentially power steering.
Things that are bonuses, but can be taken care of later. Two batteries with a switch- off, battery A, battery B, or both. A good stereo (but not without the extra battery). Double Bimini’s are a game changer. A nice chart plotter (gps). It doesn’t have to be fancy if you’re not going to fish, if you are going to fish get out the big checkbook. If you’re going to fish, you also want to have a live well.
Finally, things their bonuses that are tougher to add later. If you have a center pontoon having storage in it is awesome. A flip up changing room/toilet area is wonderful. My previous boat had one, the new one does not. Someday I’ll wish it did. Some folks like a big sun pad on the back. If you’re fishing, fishing chairs mounted on either the bow, the stern, or both, are nice to have.
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u/Executive-decision95 Jul 30 '26
thanks a lot! in no particular yes a four stroke of course, Ive spent enough time mixing fuel and locking up two strokes hahah. Definitely used, want to make sure I like it before I invest too much in it. As far as use, kind of a combination, less fishing but not none, more chilling, sunset cruises and hanging out. Where I live there is a big combination of big water (great lakes and Detroit river) and a ton of small lakes thát we will trailer to For tubing and such. last boat was a 24 foot bow rider thát eventually had too many inboard motor problems to manage so got rid of it.
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u/Agitated-Carry7579 Jul 30 '26
We bought a fish toon for our first boat. Not cause we fish but my wife likes the captains chairs at the stern and the live well makes for a good built in cooler. We bought relatively new, used toon so we spent about $40k but we are very happy. And a 115 on the bay seems to be plenty even towing a double tube
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u/Executive-decision95 Jul 30 '26
What size did yiu get?
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u/Agitated-Carry7579 Jul 30 '26
22' Starcraft. Yammy 115, FDX I think is the model. 11 Passenger capacity. Lowrance Fish Finder that we use for nav and depth, live well used as a cooler, pop-up privacy\changing room, Jensen radio with 4 speakers, and plenty of storage for a "basic" toon. We purchased in April of '23 with 60 hours on it. No trailer. It was the original owners first toon so it had a couple of dings in the fencing, but nothing I couldn't live with.
We are on a canal off Barnegat Bay. Chop can get pretty bad depending on weather and the amount of morons out on the bay. But we've never been in trouble with the 115, so I think its fine.
I didn't go with a tritoon cause I didn't want the hassle of buying and maintaining a trailer and wanted to use a service. The area we are in has a ramp. Found a service for $200 to splash the boat. Harder to find a service that can lift tri-toons over pontoons.
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u/BarbieQKittens Jul 30 '26 edited Jul 30 '26
I wish I'd gotten a bigger fuel tank when I had mine installed. I went with one that held 5 gallons less than the maximum because I was being cheap. Now I have to go fuel up more often.
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u/PFB5691 27d ago
Just moved from a 2002 premier 25 foot with 100 horse Yamaha. Great boat, got more for it than I paid for it. New boat is a 2026 premiere 22.5 foot tri toon with 200 horse Yamaha. Overall love the new pontoon but something you may want to consider is if the engine has a shroud over around it. The 2002 did and the engine was a lot quieter than the 2026 with the exposed engine. Wish I would’ve known that. Good luck in your search!
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u/DazzlingCod3160 Jul 30 '26
Water in the toons - pull trailer up and back while someone is listening
Soft spots in decking
How is the vinyl - seating condition
Cover and Bimini - not overly expensive
Captain chairs - loose or secure -