Double Pontoon boat vs Triple Pontoon boat vs Deck Boat

[rdrap]

I'm looking to get a boat that will hold 12 + people. I've looked at pontoons and deck boats for about a year. One dealer has expressed I should get a 24' pontoon with triple pontoons and a 150 HP engine. Said it would be just as good, if not better, than the deck boat.

Another dealer today told me the third pontoon adds more weight and you need a much bigger engine which all causes more drag which defeats the purpose. Plus, more money.

I will probably do 60% cruising and 40% fishing. Most trips will be in Charlotte Harbor, and when the weathers right I'll go out in the Gulf a little.

I've narrowed it down to a Bennington or Starcraft pontoon, or Hurricanes GS211 Fundeck. The GS211 is the only deck boat I've seen that is properly set up for cruising, or the carpet can snap out and the vinyl seats be removed for fishing. Only problem is it holds 10 people max.

You opinions please. Thank you.

[jelly]

The Gulf in a pontoon or deck boat?

I may be completely off-base here, but I've spent a lot of time in a Sun Tracker Party Barge 21 and Party Deck 21. Both newer models.

In sheltered inland lakes, on anything other than calm conditions or mild wake, both were horrible in regards to splashing water on board, making for ticked-off occupants. Both were "wet" boats, if you will.

The ones you have in mind may be entirely different though...

[noles94]

What about the Hurricane Sundeck 237? I've seen quite a few around where I am (Clearwater). In fact, every time my wife sees one, she says, "That's nice. Let's get one of those." And I reply, "Sure. Let me write a check." (I'm a middle school teacher...)

Hurricane has fish packages for their deckboats, so that could aid your fishing trips.

Only thing I've heard, and I don't know if it happens with Hurricanes as well, is that Cobia deckboats tend to take water over the bow a little more easily when anchored "offshore" in non-calm seas.

Now that I think about it, what about a Beachcat? I've seen a few of those as well, and the people I've talked to really like them. They're made in Clearwater.

http://www.beachcatboats.com/

Good luck, and let us know what you decide...

[Bullshipper]

The only production pontoon boat I know that was designed as a Saltwater boat is the Windsor ropelene trimaran designed last year by Morgan and Morielli for Genmar.
All other pontoons are fabricated with only 1/10" thick sheeting, and I do not believe it is marine grade 5086 alloy.

[terranova]

Suntracker has introduced a "coastal" edition pontoon boat. It is supposed to be more suited for salt/brackish conditions. The tri-toons, to my understanding are to support an I.O. dont know as they provide any additional benefit. You probably want an aluminium deck opposed to a plywood deck if you go with a pontoon. Deck boats seem to me to be an attempt at a "compromise" boat, giving the user , what seems to be the best(or worst) of two worlds. Neither, I.M.H.O., are boats suitable for big water. If you want a dozen folks with you to do a little fishing, low impact, and a little cruising, pontoons are a lot of fun. The deck boats have a planning hull while the pontoons are more aptly described as a barge. Tough situation with your requirements. --J.P.

[GCB]

Rdrap.

Back in April of 2004 I purchased a new 26 foot tri-toon, manufactured by PlayCraft Pontoon. Its 8 and ½ foot wide and I selected a single 300 HPDI Yamaha outboard.

I’ve been boating on Lake of the Ozarks in mid Missouri for over 20 years; primarily in a 21 foot glass deep V. The average size boat at LOTO these days is a little over 30 foot with an enormous number of 30 to 50 foot cruisers. On any given weekend the rollers on the lake are 3 to 4 foot, not bad for a fresh water lake in the Midwest. Needless to say my 21 footer was just not able to handle the rougher water on weekends. To be honest my body just can’t take the pounding anymore!

After test driving a tri-toon about two years ago on a busy Saturday morning the incredibly good ride sold me on the boat almost immediately. That and the fact you could bolt on 300 horsepower made it a great choice for me. Believe it or not if you’re into lots of horsepower you can order the boat configured to handle two 300 HP engines, they also build with a full line of I/O’s from small block to big block.

The boat will accommodate 15 folks which gives you plenty of room. Combine that with an incredible ride and close to 60 miles per hour top end speed and you have a pretty good package.

Gary

[jelly]

GCB - 1/5/2005 10:46 PM

close to 60 miles per hour top end speed

What the f***... http://www.playcraftboats.com/speedrecord.htm

600hp on what looks like a 18' pontoon...no wonder it does 80!

http://www.mercurymarine.com/pro_max_300x

[GCB]

Yep. Jim Doris, the guy who own's PlayCraft put that together a few years ago with a little help from the guys at Mercury Marine on Lake X. He put a couple of Merc 300's on that boat, did a little tweakin and there you have it!!

Gary

[GCB]

That particular boat is 28 foot long.

Gary

[terranova]

Think he would take a look at my Topaz?-- J.P.

[rdrap]

Ya, I looked at Playcraft, but their website they don't have any dealers in Florida. How would I go about getting one then?

[rdrap]

What kind of money are we talking about for what you bought?