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I am wanting to retire my very old boat and replacing it with a pontoon boat. I would like to get some different thoughts on this. I mainly crappie fish, but like to catfish as well. Once or twice a year I fish the ICW. I have several grandchildren that may want to go with us if I had a better boat. All thoughts on this will be appreciated. Also I can't find information on how much draft most pontoon have. Thanks.
I love my toon, except in the wind. I Crappie fish, Cat fish, Striper Fish.
If you can afford it get the tritoon faster, turns faster, 115 or larger motor, 100lbs troller, Bimini top for those hot days. Another thing get a trailer with at least 13" tires and brakes on all 4 wheels. My 22' with heavy trailer weighs 5K lbs with the 10" wheels and only 2 wheel brakes I was smoking them often.
Trailer guides are real plus, makes it easier to load up in the wind.
I have an 80lbs Ulterra works OK but if the wind is blowing it's real hard to troll a straight line.
The best part is you can fish in the cold with heavy clothes and not worry about falling over board ( as much)
Try retirement you'll like it, just past 2 year mark loving the free time to do nothing if I want to.
Other than that what do you want to know?
Boatbouy, what type boat are u retiring ? And what is your budget as far as new boat?
Go on a day trip with Freddy Sinclear see how you like it. Take the Grandkids.
18' 1/2' walk thu, 200hp 2 stroke yam. V bottom. Builder not been in business for years. Not sure about budget, may have to trade vehicles just to pull a pontoon boat.
Thanks for the info from mthook, what about the draft?
I was thinking u were closer to us , we have a few at shop for sell
[QUOTE=boatbouy;
Thanks for the info from mthook, what about the draft?[/QUOTE]. Too old for the draft, been there done that once already didn't like it too much.
As for the boat bottom of the toon is about 18-19" bottom of the skag 39-40" That's with a 90 HP 4 stroke
Draft is really shallow. My 20' Bass Buggy will go in shallower water than my 18' jon.
I wonder if that applies to a 22ft or 24ft as well? Just trying to get an idea of how shallow l can go. I am always trying to get to areas that most people don't go. Just wondering how far in inches it is from the water line to the bottom of the boat. Good one about the draft MTHook, I was in the Marines from 66 to 70. I have been retired for 10 years.Thanks for everyones input.
The draft will be very shallow unless you have several people on board which applies to any boat when it comes to loading. I go very shallow with my skiff but I also have "push poles" on board and I use them a lot when Trout and Drum fishing at coast. If you have them you will be surprised how often you will use them.
The biggest advantage I see with a Pontoon stability while allowing comfort in moving around when you have the family on board. (more than two people) The disadvantage is that you are off the water(like pear fishing) and it is like a sail when the wind blows. If my grandkids lived near me I would have a pontoon.
I rented a 22ft pontoon boat, took 3 adults and 4 grandchildren we had a great time. Some fished and others wanted to swim, I guess if I get a pontoon it will provide entertainment other than just fishing. Something on the plus side that I hadn't thought of before. Anyway you all have given me a lot of helpful information and I thank everyone. Any more thoughts will be appreciated.