Random Thoughts - Part III The Search for Spark (No Politics)

[Dadhawk]

Originally Posted by Tcoat

If somebody had told me 20 years ago that I would be more than happy with a boat that only does a max of 15MPH I would have said they were nuts..

I thought pontoon boats were a waste of displacement until I actually rode around on one. The last place I worked we had required regional director meetings 4 times a year. For the one in Summer (it was actually early Fall) we would always go to one of the Director's homes where she lived in a tiny house on a big lake. Our meetings consisted of cruising around on her Pontoon boat in late afternoon, drinking "baggy margaritas" (frozen margaritas made in advance and stored in a ziplock bag in the freezer), and eating pizza.

We got a lot of "work" done.

[Tcoat]

Originally Posted by NoHaveMSG

A little bit quicker would be nice. Kind of fun to be able to tow a tube every now and then. My buddy and I are looking to go half and half on a boat and if it can do 25ish with a tube behind it I would be happy. Otherwise it will just be a fishing and mobile swim platform.

I have a bunch of wealthy friends that all have nice ski boats, the only thing they use them for is to lash together and hang out on lol

We pulled a tube a couple of times. It is OK at the lower speeds but you certainly aren't going to get air or be dumped.

We went to the pontoon mostly for ease of access for my wife and really prefer it now.

Went from a 1986 19' Bayliner cuddy cabin inboard /out drive.
I do not miss the $60 an hour (yes about a dollar a minute at 1999 fuel prices) operating cost, noise, exhaust stink and limited onboard maneuvering space.

[Stephen W.]

We've lived on the river since 1988. I've lusted after many boats, even bought a brand new Nissan 25 h.p. outboard motor for one. However, it sat in the garage on it's stand for years unused. My brother bought a boat so I sold the Nissan to him.
I did pickup a used Pelican paddle boat when we first moved here. It saw lots of use up to about 6-8 years ago. If I had a boat launch instead of a slip I probably would have pulled the trigger on a fishing or party boat long ago. Now I think I'm over the desire. Just another mechanical thing to maintain.

[Tcoat]

Originally Posted by Dadhawk

I thought pontoon boats were a waste of displacement until I actually rode around on one. The last place I worked we had required regional director meetings 4 times a year. For the one in Summer (it was actually early Fall) we would always go to one of the Director's homes where she lived in a tiny house on a big lake. Our meetings consisted of cruising around on her Pontoon boat in late afternoon, drinking "baggy margaritas" (frozen margaritas made in advance and stored in a ziplock bag in the freezer), and eating pizza.

We got a lot of "work" done.

Where we have our boat is actually a reservoir in a conservation area so we can't drink on it. I am fine with that though.

If we were on a bigger lake or felt the need to tube and ski I would go with this.
https://www.skypowersportslakeland.c...ports-11167224
Truly the best of both worlds.

[Ultramaroon]

Originally Posted by Spuds

JetSki/SeaDoo/etc?

Was cool for about two minutes.

[Tcoat]

Originally Posted by Ultramaroon

Was cool for about two minutes.

Then you pulled it out from your butt crack, placed it back on the trailer and were done?

[NoHaveMSG]

Originally Posted by Tcoat

We pulled a tube a couple of times. It is OK at the lower speeds but you certainly aren't going to get air or be dumped.

We went to the pontoon mostly for ease of access for my wife and really prefer it now.

Went from a 1986 19' Bayliner cuddy cabin inboard /out drive.
I do not miss the $60 an hour (yes about a dollar a minute at 1999 fuel prices) operating cost, noise, exhaust stink and limited onboard maneuvering space.

I have always preferred the pontoon on the lake, but we need something to fish the local rivers. Will likely be aluminum hull with a jet drive.

[Tcoat]

Originally Posted by NoHaveMSG

I have always preferred the pontoon on the lake, but we need something to fish the local rivers. Will likely be aluminum hull with a jet drive.

That is part of the beauty of a small pontoon. I only need 14" of water to operate in and get to spaces any similar length V hull can only dream of.

Jet drives suck (literally and figuratively) in shallow water because... well... because they suck. I have pulled in many a jet boat that got into to shallow of water at the lake and plugged the drive up solid with weeds, sticks, mud or even rocks. Rocks make the coolest noise when the wingnut driver keeps trying to floor it.

[gtpvette]

Oh boats,,,, yes please! Mines certainly not a speed deamon,, but will just about hit 50. See prop testing video below,, MPH upper right hand side of MFD. Way faster than I normally want to go. No tubbing for me either.. too old,,, but we do drag snorkelers around when looking for lobster. We also like floating around on a noodle with an adult beverage!!

[Tcoat]

Originally Posted by gtpvette

Oh boats,,,, yes please! Mines certainly not a speed deamon,, but will just about hit 50. See prop testing video below,, MPH upper right hand side of MFD. Way faster than I normally want to go. No tubbing for me either.. too old,,, but we do drag snorkelers around when looking for lobster. We also like floating around on a noodle with an adult beverage!!

I would want something that does at least 50 if headed into open ocean. Whole different ball game at that point.

[cjd]

Am I the only one that would rather play in a kayak? whitewater/surf boat in waves, or nice sea kayak for covering ground or poking around in hidden corners you can't get to any oher way.
Have an 8' surf kayak, 17' sea kayak. Haven't used either in years though, no way to haul them! But so much fun.

Pontoon is fine if you really want a mobile deck. Sail boat if you're going a long way.

[NoHaveMSG]

Originally Posted by cjd

Am I the only one that would rather play in a kayak? whitewater/surf boat in waves, or nice sea kayak for covering ground or poking around in hidden corners you can't get to any oher way.
Have an 8' surf kayak, 17' sea kayak. Haven't used either in years though, no way to haul them! But so much fun.

Pontoon is fine if you really want a mobile deck. Sail boat if you're going a long way.

On the eastern part of the river, yeah, used to go all the time. Got invited to go this weekend but too busy and I don’t know we’re my inflatable kayak is right now. A lot of my friends that I used to go with have young kids and families so it is difficult for them to go anymore. Have a few buddies that guide the local river in rafts. Shot from my GoPro.




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[Capt Spaulding]

No boats here. Wife wants nothing to do with anything on the water. “Yuk. It’s full of fish and stuff and they fuck in it.”

[gtpvette]

Originally Posted by Capt Spaulding

No boats here. Wife wants nothing to do with anything on the water. “Yuk. It’s full of fish and stuff and they fuck in it.”

Tell her that ain't the half of it. It's the time of year for Manatee Orgies LOL.