Hotwoods pontoons vs. Pondtoon pontoos'

Hi all,

I was thinking about getting a Pelican Bass Raider and car top it so I wouldn't have to get a trailer, but being handicapped (my equilibrium is really messed up) I thought how the heck was I going to get into it? A small pontoon was more practical because of the railing and flat floor.

I'm considering the Hotwoods line and the Pondtoon line. I like the fact that the Hotwoods had 4 logs instead of 2 like the Pondtoon and sits lower in the water because the logs are smaller in diameter. The Hotwoods boats have rounded handrails while the Pondtoon uses square ones. (for some reason I like rounded instead of square. The Pondtoon has a protruding bow and the Hotwoods is more "barge" like.
Any recommedations?




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Have you viewed any video's, or talked to anyone that has been in one, of either of these in choppy or semi-rough conditions? It is advertised for ponds and lakes. It does not take much of lake to get really rough, in a short period of time. With that being said I would have a variety of ways for securing carry-on items (i.e. dry-boxes, straps, etc.), just in case you where caught off guard. Also if a storm was to blow up on you, I would say drop the bimini top immediately as it might assist in capsizing the craft. I agree with you on the tubing on the Hotwoods model, they offer a lower railing package than the one pictured, which might be needed to fish seated. I didn't see one with in-line seating like the Pondtoon shows, which seems better for weight distribution. Good luck with your decision.

Cane Pole is the man with a pontoon. Mr. Modification. Hook up with him and get smart answers

Here's mine. It doesn't really help with your post, as this is an old 15'x6' Godfrey that I rebuilt from the crossmembers up. I will echo the sentiments above, that it's a bit sketchy in anything rough, but I've had it in Tampa bay 1-2' chop a couple times and it did OK.

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Good luck and I’ll echo pm Cane Pole.


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Angerqwest has a Gillgetter series that are about the same size. https://www.anglerqwestpontoons.com/pontoons/gillgetter

Thanks guys for your input. I don't plan on taking it out in saltwater. Just smaller lakes and ponds. I've been out in rough water many times before, but I was younger then and more physically able then I am now. I've always been very aware of the weather and am not going out far from land anymore. Safety has always been my main concern when going out on the water

Ahhh, decisions, decisions. lol. Just my opinion, think I would take a ride in each of the pontoons before choosing. I hope you find what you want, best of luck. [emoji1303]


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You might want to contact the old PondToon dealers in Florida. They no longer carry them. I'll let them tell you why.

Meanwhile, I am outfitting a new (to me) little pontoon too. Here is the journey so far. It is a 14 foot Playbuoy Eagle Jr., with a 6 foot beam and a 20hp Suzuki 4-stroke.

Photos show what I have done so far.

1. The old seats were in poor shape after sitting unused in the Florida sun for several years. And some of the plywood had deteriorated pretty badly.
So all the seats were removed and trashed. Amazingly, the deck was in great shape, no rot anywhere.

2. All seats were replaced by Coleman Xtreme coolers. 120 and 60 qt. sizes. Figured a cushion on the coolers would work for seating, and it did a good job during trials. But we had no way to lean back and my fishing buddy, Don, and I are basically lazy. He has even been known to fall asleep trolling around tightlining/spiderrigging before.

3. Photo 5 shows the first place I mounted my new Millennium Spyder LOK rod holders. Got the rods as far as possible up front, but when we started catching fish, it proved to be VERY awkward getting up and getting to the rods. Bad idea. So I moved them as you will see in another photo. But first a word about Millennium Spyder LOK rod holders. GREAT. That's the word. GREAT. They beat anything I have ever seen or used. Hands down.

4. The trailer didn't have guideons, and that wasn't really a problem launching and recovering. But it was a problem backing the trailer when the boat was not on it. I drive a Ford 250 4x4 Diesel Crew Cab. Big truck I used to pull my 26 foot offshore ProCat when I had it. But the trailer disappears behind it with the boat not there to see. The guideons stick up so I can see them in my mirrors now. There is a problem though. A pontoon bot has no pointed bow. It's like steering around a sheet of plywood. At the front, you have to get the deck EXACTLY lined up to get through the gate. The guideons might not stay.

5. Photos 8, 9, and 10 show the new layout. I re-mounted the pedestal seats back on the inside of the playpen, and moved the rod holders back so the rods are within hands reach. The large 120 cooler up front was removed, keeping the 60 for ice. I am leaving the 120 and 60 in back to act as the rear "bench" seat and provide dry storage. The seats work fine there and will be much more comfortable.


That's the process so far. Just a cheap little pontoon to chase a few crappie. It will never be a speedboat with the little 20hp motor but here in Florida the lakes aren't all that big anyway. The flat deck helps out old joints having to step up and down too.

Tom

Yep we will see how the new lay out fishes in the morning. Tom didn't mention he also put rod holder mounts on the aft deck so we are going to pull some crank baits in the morning.