Pontoon boat: Thinking about trading my flats boat in on a larger, prob 20’ pontoon. Some have told me not real good things about pontoons in 2-3 Ft. Or slightly rougher water. I would...

Ron Langevin

Thinking about trading my flats boat in on a larger, prob 20’ pontoon. Some have told me not real good things about pontoons in 2-3 Ft. Or slightly rougher water. I would be getting one to fish Only in Tampa Bay in about the same weather I would fish in my prior boat which was a high sided great lakes Lund 18.5. I would get a good one w/60 HP or so. Please answer if you have or have one and use it in similier situations. Thanks

plumbob Loc: New Windsor Maryland

Ron you know your waters better than anyone else. Depending on the draft that should answer your 2 - 3 ft concern. My neighbor has a pontoon boat with a 90 hp Yamaha and handles well enough for what he does. But our waters may be different than yours.

Jeremy Loc: America

I just went to boat show on Saturday. I have always wanted a party barge. They were so nice. The fishing boats 20 ft outboard with 115hp were awesome too. I am sure there is more information on how much water they take ..how much freeboard etc .

Pickle Loc: Duplin co, NC

Hey guys I think Rons question was not in reference to water depth but roughness. He said two to three or rougher water. Ron that pontoon rides high in the water and I would think it's going to beat you up in anything rougher than two foot seas. Although if you nose into the swells it won't be as bad.

Ron620DVS Loc: Guntersville Alabama

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teabag09 Loc: Chesapeake, Virginia

Ron Langevin wrote:

Thinking about trading my flats boat in on a larger, prob 20’ pontoon. Some have told me not real good things about pontoons in 2-3 Ft. Or slightly rougher water. I would be getting one to fish Only in Tampa Bay in about the same weather I would fish in my prior boat which was a high sided great lakes Lund 18.5. I would get a good one w/60 HP or so. Please answer if you have or have one and use it in similier situations. Thanks

I worked for a City Park on a river. We had a 24' pontoon boat with a 90 Evinrude. It was fantastic even in rough water of Currituck Sound. Later a 250 four stroke was installed. Could average 70mph in calm water but still handled well in rough water. A 60 hp will do everything you will want and there is plenty of room for everyone to be comfortable. I personally would go for it. Mike Va. beach, Va.

Helen Loc: Originally from Ohio, on Lake Erie. Now Fl i

My fishing partner and I have a pontoon boat. They are not designed for handling 2 or three foot waves, let alone anything bigger. I have seen people take them out in the middle of Lake Erie. I've seen people take a lot of other inappropriate boats out on Lake Erie. Only the intervention of the Angels allows those people to survive tell us a little

PapaDave

I have lived on Lake St. Clair now for 40 years. Three (3) toon pontoon boats with v. large motors zip all over the lake in 2 & 3 foot waves. No problem. Every year we see more and more of these vessels on the water. Hi end boats depreciate faster; mid price craft not so much. I have a 22-24 foot pontoon on my bucket list.

Jeremy Loc: America

Hey Ron I see your Ranger Boats information. Remember the guy that had to replace a Ranger boat trailer fender? I ended up googling what he was talking about. The fenders are like 850 or something. Other average fenders are like 80 bucks. If you get a Ranger just don’t have a flat that ruins your way over 1000 dollars to replace fenders.

Ron620DVS Loc: Guntersville Alabama

That is why you need to have boat and trailer insurance that has a low “Deductible”. I understand that a expensive boat trailer will cost more to replace or repair. Most fisherman that buy a Ranger boat is aware of the expense..

finschasers69 Loc: taylor co. w.v.

just bought last year a tracker pontoon fish & ski 16 ft mines classified as a bass buggy with a 40h.p. top speed 35mph trolling motor pkg. fishfinder, Livewell,& larger pontoons then all other types .has a 5in. draft have run it in shallow waters love this boat. got full canvas encloser for running in foul weather .love this boat

Richey Loc: The Villages, Fl

Check out a TRITOON BOAT (3 PONTOONS)

NIMROD Loc: Vader, Washington state, US NAVY '68-'77

I have a 1625 FURY XL LUND boat with only a 40 horse Mercury I owe for... takes the waves purdy good in the Columbia River... for what it's worth... nice in the winter or summer as I had a canopy installed, keeps the wind and rain out.. summer is good with the roof over yer head so one doesn't get fried from the sun...
when we do have the sun ! lol kinda looks like the Ranger boats . Those PONTOON Boats seem really nice for REALLY Relaxing fishing ! BBQ,,, walk around... PARTY BOATS !

JRK227 Loc: Cedarburg, WI

A pontoon boat really limits your fishing. You are 3 or more feet off the water and unless you have a casting deck, you have railings in your way. The wind plays havoc on the high stance of a pontoon boat and they are hard to anchor. You may want to fish off one of the cruise around and party boats before buying one. They are also hard to trailer and launch unless you have anchorage in a harbor or marina.
Good luck on whatever you decide!