Pontoon Boat-Planning for Purchase

[camp guy]

Having followed your other posts about moving to the Lakes Region this summer, I'd say you have a pretty full plate already, without the addition of a boat. I'm not intending to throw a wet blanket over your ideas, but I do think you have a lot going on.

So, my first suggestion would be to spend time this summer doing some hands-on research about what boat would be best for you and your boating plans. A pontoon boat provides a lot of benefits, but it also is lacking in some areas, most notably, as already mentioned in an earlier post, limited potty facilities, and limited protection from weather, and weather can blow up very quickly on the Big Lake. Maybe you could rent a pontoon boat for a weekend and try it out. Pontoon boats handle differently than monohull boats, and, although there is no tide and current to deal with on the Lake, pontoons present a large sail area to deal with in close quarters in windy conditions. You might try out other boat styles and other sizes. Over and over I read about people buying one size boat, then two years later they go up a size, and then up again a few years later. Quite possibly, if you rent several styles/sizes this first summer, you will get a handle on what you actually feel comfortable with, then you can buy something in the size category that will last you for a while.

Another suggestion is to visit some boat shows. This is the season for boat shows.

My third suggestion is to re-visit my first suggestion !!

Good Luck, and Happy Boating.